Front bumper removal - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

nixter · 4th April 2006, 00:50

Hey guys, I have to fix a small leak in my washer fluid tank so I need to access it behind the bumper. What's the process for removing the bumper?

Thanks,

nix

farrell · 4th April 2006, 01:14

Ok
Lay a cloth or sheet in front of the car.
extract the temp sender probe from the lower part of the bumper bar.
Remove the lh & rh front bumper rub strips.
They come off by pulling gently forward.
Once removed , you have a plastic retaining screw to turn 90 degrees on each side.
Then move to front of the vehicle & undo the 4 off bolts holding the bumper to crossmember.
Gently prise the bumper forward & detach washer lines & lay bumper on floor.

This job is best done with two of you as one can hold the bumper whilst the other detaches the washer lines that are essentially a double fit male/ female connection.
The O rings will need replacing in this connector block as they are generally the route cause of leaks unless a hig pressure line to the washers has perished but this usually only occurs on the hood washer jet lines.

Hope this helps

Farrell

nixter · 4th April 2006, 01:21

Thanks for the info! The PO told me that he thinks the leak is from him not replacing some seal or gromet correctly back near the bottom of the washer fluid tank.

n

Donati · 4th April 2006, 01:33

Im sorry.. i must be missing something here..
In my car the washer-fluid tank is in the engine compartment, not hidden away behind the bumper, so i do not understand the question.. please explain

nixter · 4th April 2006, 01:37

Yes, it's in the engine bay.

The PO told me that the source of the leak was at some connection near the bottom front of the tank which is accessible from behind the bumper.

DaveW · 4th April 2006, 01:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donati

Im sorry.. i must be missing something here..
In my car the washer-fluid tank is in the engine compartment, not hidden away behind the bumper, so i do not understand the question.. please explain

Intensive Wash - headlamps, foglamps - loads of pipes and plastic 'T' pieces...

Mine is leaking - not because of a physical leak but because the pump seems to go off all by itself, even when parked - very strange and I've no idea where to find the relay......

Dave.

farrell · 4th April 2006, 10:13

Yes
This washer system is triumph of function over practicality.
Many little cut lengths & "Tee" pieces.

Mine packed up about 3 yrs ago so I removed the bumper & stripped all the pipes that had fractured where they had been pushed together.

The connector that joins the bumper pipework to the washer tank mounted pipework is indeed easier to reach by taking the bumper off & its the main culprit for poor or no function.

The other way to service this part is to remove the washer tank & both pumps.
The connector can then be accessed by putting your hand down behind the bumper & wing.

On some occasions, the pumps giveup OR the wiring to them needs checking for breaks.
Remember that the pump mounted lowest in the tank is for the windscreen.
The headlamp intensive washer pump is mounted 50mm further up the tank & is pressed into the tank from the side nearest the front rh wing.

Aside frm this, the system is the most complex impractical headlamp cleaning system I have seen.

Farrell

Geach · 4th April 2006, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveW

Intensive Wash - headlamps, foglamps - loads of pipes and plastic 'T' pieces...

Mine is leaking - not because of a physical leak but because the pump seems to go off all by itself, even when parked - very strange and I've no idea where to find the relay......

Dave.

Thats what mine used to do! Very strange.