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      06-28-2011, 04:24 PM   #1
Skuronen
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Headlight Spray Nozzle Cover = Missing!

Hey everyone,

Returned from spirited day of driving to find headlight washer cover MIA.

New z4m owner here and I see that this Headlight washer cover issue comes up fairly frequently after searching the forums.

I ordered the part 51117078262 and just had a few questions:

1) I see the part is primed but not painted. Anyone have luck with a particular product to match paint on this? (sapphire black) or is that something a professional shop should do?

2) Is this a simple fix to reattach the spray nozzle cover?

Thanks much for any help!

I will either disconnect fuse F40 or detach power to the nozzles to prevent any further nozzle cover fugitives...
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      06-28-2011, 04:26 PM   #2
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there;s a place that sells oem paint in a spray can format, just can't remember the name right now...
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      06-28-2011, 04:32 PM   #3
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It really depends on the point where the washer cover got disconnected. There are 3 main ways it appears to happen. 1)The mounting points on the top of the washer head themselves break. 2) The mount points dont break, but you lose the rocking connector piece and the actual cap. 3) You lose just the cap.

If case 1, then you probably need to order a whole new washer nozzle also. If case 2 (what happened to me) they do not sell (according to dealer) the connecting rocker piece (probably a 50cent piece of plastic) separate from the whole washer nozzle. I jury rigged a connector with some parts from a local hardware store because I refused to pay for a whole washer nozzle unit because of some stupid piece that could easily be made to be a separate part. Under case 3, it should be relatively easy to reattach the new cover, reach into the hole in your bumper and just pull on the washer head. This takes some effort. The mount points on the bottom of the cover should match 2 posts on the side of the rocker piece.
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      06-28-2011, 04:53 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azadian2b View Post
It really depends on the point where the washer cover got disconnected. There are 3 main ways it appears to happen. 1)The mounting points on the top of the washer head themselves break. 2) The mount points dont break, but you lose the rocking connector piece and the actual cap. 3) You lose just the cap.

If case 1, then you probably need to order a whole new washer nozzle also. If case 2 (what happened to me) they do not sell (according to dealer) the connecting rocker piece (probably a 50cent piece of plastic) separate from the whole washer nozzle. I jury rigged a connector with some parts from a local hardware store because I refused to pay for a whole washer nozzle unit because of some stupid piece that could easily be made to be a separate part. Under case 3, it should be relatively easy to reattach the new cover, reach into the hole in your bumper and just pull on the washer head. This takes some effort. The mount points on the bottom of the cover should match 2 posts on the side of the rocker piece.

hmmm...I am hoping this picture may indicate case 3, but I don't know what the part is supposed to look like undamaged...

thanks for your input! this helps quite a bit.
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      06-28-2011, 04:55 PM   #5
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looks like "the alien"
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      06-28-2011, 05:02 PM   #6
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Man, I never use these things (deactivated them).

For those who have repaired/replaced them, is there any practical way to lock these little suckers down to avoid losing them in any of the three ways noted by azadian2b?

When I eventually have my bumper resprayed these little suckers are gone!
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      06-28-2011, 06:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnegan View Post
Man, I never use these things (deactivated them).

For those who have repaired/replaced them, is there any practical way to lock these little suckers down to avoid losing them in any of the three ways noted by azadian2b?

When I eventually have my bumper resprayed these little suckers are gone!
Just had mine "deactivated" today and the system capped at the reservoir. I hope they now stay put for years to come
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      06-28-2011, 08:47 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Finnegan View Post
Man, I never use these things (deactivated them).

For those who have repaired/replaced them, is there any practical way to lock these little suckers down to avoid losing them in any of the three ways noted by azadian2b?

When I eventually have my bumper resprayed these little suckers are gone!
As long as they're deactivated (disconnect coil or pull fuse) you should be OK
It's my understanding that they come loose & pop off after activation.

BTW, I'm planning the same mod as you during winter shutdown.
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      06-28-2011, 10:40 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r View Post
As long as they're deactivated (disconnect coil or pull fuse) you should be OK
It's my understanding that they come loose & pop off after activation.

BTW, I'm planning the same mod as you during winter shutdown.
Excellent! Thanks!
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      06-28-2011, 10:50 PM   #10
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Be carfull when replacing the cap, I broke 3 of them before giving up and jb welding the Crap out of it .... Their is a mold line on the part of the driver side cover and it brakes when installing ... I would press it onto the black rocker and snap ...broke again .... The passenger side didn't have this design flaw and went on just fine ... It brakes where the plastic meets itself in the mold ... Basically a mold line but its at a crucial part where it needs to flex .... Either way after jb welding it .. it works great
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      06-29-2011, 08:51 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle View Post
looks like "the alien"
Yeah...I guess it does resemble the "chestburster" alien a little...now that I look at it closer!
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      06-29-2011, 09:37 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -c- View Post
Be carfull when replacing the cap, I broke 3 of them before giving up and jb welding the Crap out of it .... Their is a mold line on the part of the driver side cover and it brakes when installing ... I would press it onto the black rocker and snap ...broke again .... The passenger side didn't have this design flaw and went on just fine ... It brakes where the plastic meets itself in the mold ... Basically a mold line but its at a crucial part where it needs to flex .... Either way after jb welding it .. it works great
Thanks for the heads up on that. Maybe I will go straight to the weld instead of even trying. Should be the last time this thing pops up as I disconnected the power to it now. Ugg...what a design flaw!
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      11-23-2011, 10:34 AM   #13
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Anyone have a DIY for replacing the washer nozzle? Mine broke, and I don't want to pay 2 hours at the dealer for something I can do.

I figure, since this is a frequent occurance, it might be a good DIY for the forum if anyone has done it.
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      11-24-2011, 02:56 PM   #14
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When I had the bumper repainted on mine I removed the nozzles completely, as well as the long hose that runs accross the front bumper and then connected the shorter hose in a loop on the T joint so there is no leaking. I disconnected the pump and attached the covers back on with double sided tape.
Couldn't be happier, and if for some reason I ever want to go re-connect them it is completely reversible.
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      11-24-2011, 05:30 PM   #15
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^did the same thing.
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      06-09-2012, 08:03 AM   #16
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Well, this is the last time I replace this part. I've already disconnected the plug for it, and I was wondering if I could replace the nozzle by removing the headlight? Looks like it is right underneath and be very simple with the headlight out.
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      06-09-2012, 09:31 AM   #17
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I completely deleted mine haha. Btw it's automotive touchup that has the spray can which I have used before and it does match pretty well but spray can clear never matches the gloss. Sapphire black is pretty hard to match too btw
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      06-09-2012, 01:59 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW Maniac View Post
Well, this is the last time I replace this part. I've already disconnected the plug for it, and I was wondering if I could replace the nozzle by removing the headlight? Looks like it is right underneath and be very simple with the headlight out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW Maniac View Post
Well, this is the last time I replace this part. I've already disconnected the plug for it, and I was wondering if I could replace the nozzle by removing the headlight? Looks like it is right underneath and be very simple with the headlight out.
you need to remove the bumper. Bumper removal is very easy. Nozzle and the nozzle apparatus removal is a little tricky as you have to press in 2 tabs at the same time

actually, you can't remove the headlight without removing the bumper first anyway
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      06-11-2012, 11:09 PM   #19
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I got a can of spray from ExpressPaint for $25 and clear coat for another $11.
Unfortunately, it came out darker than the rest of the bumper on my Interlagos Blue. Bumper cover may be faded.

I had "case 3" the first time. Pulled fuse F40.
I had "case 1" the second time, after hitting a small piece of truck tire.

Took off the bumper cover, removed the washers, plugged the hose, and used wire to hold the covers to the mounting tabs for the removed spay nozzles.
Not as hard as it sounds. Bumper cover comes off easy.
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      07-24-2012, 10:55 AM   #20
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So, I am in the process of replacing the nozzle and cover. Not too hard actually, if I didn't break the connecting plug for the spray nozzle to the hose, I'd be done already!
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      08-02-2012, 08:10 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle View Post
there;s a place that sells oem paint in a spray can format, just can't remember the name right now...
paintscratch.com
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      10-09-2012, 11:26 PM   #22
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I am in this boat now. Hit something on interstate the other day and now find myself in case #2, missing the rocker arm as the cover. I suppose I have to buy a nozzle at $62, cover at $17 and $50 of spray paint, all that and to hope the color turns out right.

I wonder if I can find one laying around at a junk yard.
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