Headlamp washer covers not sitting snug

theroot · 08-29-2008, 03:51 AM

Apologies if this has been raised before but I couldn't find it on a search.

Has anyone had any problems with their headlamp washer covers not returning to sit snug with the bumper?

I had this problem with the left hand side washer which eventually came off in my hand when I was washing the car - the dealer replaced it (new part), initially saying warranty wouldn't cover it but caving pretty easily without too much argument. He said he wasn't aware of this being a common issue.

Now my right hand washer cover's started not to return to its proper position - see photo. It's not a huge gap but that's not the point.

Can't believe that I can suffer the same problem on both sides and my car's unique - unless it was a "Friday afternoon" car!

raceyBMW · 08-29-2008, 11:13 AM

Does the washer cover feel like its catching on something, or does it just feel loose like you can easily push it flush? If its the latter, then your springs behind the cover have gotten stretched out somehow. If its the former, then the headlight washer arm is not retracting properly, and you may need to bring it back to the dealer or check if there is something blocking it.

I have removed my bumper before and stretched out the springs on one of the covers by accident and was able to fix without new parts.

If it is indeed the springs, you can pull on the cover enough to get behind it and manually pull out the headlight washer arm. Then you can just remove the cover and the springs all in one go by just popping out the springs from the arm...they just slide out by pushing down (toward the ground) on the spring near the arm. You can try to recompress the springs enough so that they will close the flap flush, or go to the dealer and try to buy new ones. I was able to recompress the springs enough to reinstall and have it sit flush again, I don't actually know if the dealer sells them separate.

BTW, this is much easier with two people so that one can hold the arm while you reinstall the cover. You will find the washer arm is pretty tough to hold out.

theroot · 09-01-2008, 07:15 AM

Cheers Racey, think I'll get the dealer to take a look rather than messing about with it myself.

08-29-2008, 03:51 AM	#1
theroot New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 335i SE coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: sarf-east iTrader: (0)	Headlamp washer covers not sitting snug Apologies if this has been raised before but I couldn't find it on a search. Has anyone had any problems with their headlamp washer covers not returning to sit snug with the bumper? I had this problem with the left hand side washer which eventually came off in my hand when I was washing the car - the dealer replaced it (new part), initially saying warranty wouldn't cover it but caving pretty easily without too much argument. He said he wasn't aware of this being a common issue. Now my right hand washer cover's started not to return to its proper position - see photo. It's not a huge gap but that's not the point. Can't believe that I can suffer the same problem on both sides and my car's unique - unless it was a "Friday afternoon" car! Attached Images
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08-29-2008, 11:13 AM	#2
raceyBMW king of the hills 92 Rep 2,915 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	Does the washer cover feel like its catching on something, or does it just feel loose like you can easily push it flush? If its the latter, then your springs behind the cover have gotten stretched out somehow. If its the former, then the headlight washer arm is not retracting properly, and you may need to bring it back to the dealer or check if there is something blocking it. I have removed my bumper before and stretched out the springs on one of the covers by accident and was able to fix without new parts. If it is indeed the springs, you can pull on the cover enough to get behind it and manually pull out the headlight washer arm. Then you can just remove the cover and the springs all in one go by just popping out the springs from the arm...they just slide out by pushing down (toward the ground) on the spring near the arm. You can try to recompress the springs enough so that they will close the flap flush, or go to the dealer and try to buy new ones. I was able to recompress the springs enough to reinstall and have it sit flush again, I don't actually know if the dealer sells them separate. BTW, this is much easier with two people so that one can hold the arm while you reinstall the cover. You will find the washer arm is pretty tough to hold out. Last edited by raceyBMW; 08-29-2008 at 11:48 AM..
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09-01-2008, 07:15 AM	#3
theroot New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 335i SE coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: sarf-east iTrader: (0)	Cheers Racey, think I'll get the dealer to take a look rather than messing about with it myself.
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