Headlamp washers

[E_T_V]

I'm sure most of us that have driven a maestro know that the headlamps being so flat get caked in flies/mud/salt/other ramdom stuff. Has anyone fitted washers to their lamps and if so what is the best way of going about it.

[D87 SMW]

You could set the washer jets into the bumpers if they were the plastic kind. But having the metal bumpers, you are limited as to where you could fix them. :rolleyes: :banghead:

[E_T_V]

I was thinking of just drilling a hole in them similar on the top just like for my spot lamps and so they'd be similar to the washerjets on the bonnet. Would these be far enough away from the lamp to give a good covering of water on the headlamp?

[D87 SMW]

If you put them at the very edges of the bumper near the plastic caps, you can point it at an angle so it cleans all the headlamp. (as it would come out pretty fast) ;) :cool:

[Beaker]

At which point did you ask me if we could drill in to poor george?

hes already gone through a heart transplant which was traumatic enough (engine replaced). Hes permanently scarred (dented door) Do you not think the poor lad has gone through enough?


:D :) ;) :D :cool: :D :) :D :laugh:


(Dont worry i am mad folks :D )

[D87 SMW]

Thought that would happen! :laugh: :laugh:

[E_T_V]

Eeep looks like im in trouble when I get home!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[D87 SMW]

Better get some earplugs on the way home then! :laugh: ;)

[tony]

the early mg montego had washer jets fitted ,dont know if you can find any though, so it must be do-a-ble

[Wonko_The_Sane]

For what it's worth, I remember the Agony Uncle doing this...I'm sure I do. I'm fairly sure he used Monty estate/high end headlamp washers and their associated plumbing...

I have a bumper predrilled and hooked up using windscreen washers..but it REALLY needs it's own high pressure pump to work effectively.

Personally, I scrub my lamps with a green pad you find on sponges, and water..and then I dry and rainex them, to that the bugs just wash off..:)

I have been known to seperate the lenses from the lamps and rack them up in the dishwasher..but thats only when they're REALLY bad..:laugh:

[E_T_V]

Yes that is what I thought, need jets, bottle and a decent pump to get the pressure to shift the dirt. Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations before I go off blind and cock it up!

[tony]

dont know,what about taking them off another make of car that has them eg volvo and the rest?

[Simon]

It's Dave Monks that's done it and a fantastic job he's done too. What you need is a Montego VDP/Turbo 7 litre washer bottle complete with headlamp washer pump. The Saloon bottle needs drilling and a grommet inserting to take the rear wash pump, but the position's there at least. You need rubber hose to connect from the pump to the front of the car and a tee piece to split the water feed in two. Find (best of luck, I'm still searching) a pair of Rover 800 headlamp washer jets, cover plates and screws from somewhere(And no, you can't get them new from MG Rover dealers either, I've tried that one...) and drill the bumper to suit on the upper surface at centre of headlamp width. Pipe up and do the electrics. You need the wiring and timer control unit from a dead Montego VDP/MG Turbo and wire all that up. 4 wires to connect.

When Dave reads this, he'll attach a picture of his mod. You'll be impressed...

[Maria]

As impressed as I was when he soaked my legs from 4ft away with the washers! :laugh:

[tony]

as a kid i use to adjust the windsreen washer ,so as i drove down down the street it use to wet people ,:eek:

[E_T_V]

Ahh so it wasn't just me then! :)

[bandycat]

i think we've all done it:laugh:

[malcsmaesty]

mmmm.....remember it well!happy memories!;)

[D87 SMW]

I remember some idiots in a Mini trying to do that on me and my mates. They couldn't get close enough to the kerb to do it though!

[John S]

I think light washers are only beneficial for off roaders when they've been driving in deep mud but it's a hell of a mod - even if it is a bit gimmicky.

[E_T_V]

I always find when traveling on the motorway they get covered in salt and noticably dim the lamps. On the summer side in the countryside where I like to spend my time if possible I collect thousands of bugs on them. Perhaps they are small scale weapons of mass destruction everyone is looking for. If I get round to it I'll take some pictures and enterain you with the problems encountered.

[Dave]

Sorry - i only just found this thread!

Yep - its dead easy. 7l wash bottle / pump / pipes / wiring from an early Monty VP. Then wash nozzles from a Mk1 Rover 827 Sterling. Nozzles easily colour co-ordinated, and there is openings on the inside of the bumper to allow the pipes to be fitted. One of the early development ideas - the Maestro EFX which became the MG range appears to have the exact same nozzles fitted.

They do seem to be effective too - especially good at preventing salty film forming during the winter months.

http://www.maestro.org.uk/temp/Photos/washnoz2.jpg

Dave

[threelitre]

Hi!

This is a nice mod! I used to have these washers on my F*rd Taunus (Cortina) back then - very effective and using loads of water (had a 12l tank though).
And... much better mod then, let's say, illuminated windscreen washers :laugh: . It's really astonishing what sort of things people buy!

Alexander

[D87 SMW]

:)

[Austin-Rover]

Hmmmm.... Steve, will Rich appreciate you posting a pic of his old Monty??? :laugh: :laugh:

[John S]

I already have a complete headlamp washer system from a Monty VDP. Are the Rover 800 jets *really* that hard to find? What jets would look best on a Tickford style front bumper?

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by RDGelder
Hmmmm.... Steve, will Rich appreciate you posting a pic of his old Monty??? :laugh: :laugh:

If he doesn't I can always delete it...

[Dave]

They are fairly hard to find - but not impossible (obviously)!

I think the R800 ones look best - but there are plenty of others out there... one thing to consider, the centre of the glass is quite high relative to the bumper, so i expect the more 'flush' nozzles (subaru etc) will not aim high enough.

Dave

[John S]

Originally posted by Dave
They are fairly hard to find - but not impossible (obviously)!

I think the R800 ones look best - but there are plenty of others out there... one thing to consider, the centre of the glass is quite high relative to the bumper, so i expect the more 'flush' nozzles (subaru etc) will not aim high enough.

Dave

Rover 800 nozzles it is then! I will try my damndest to find them. Must say your attempt looks just how the factory would have done it :D

[Dave]

The amazing thing is, they are not actually flat on the bottom - but the top of the bumper matches the profile almost perfectly! there is also a couple of holes on the inside of the bumper that mysteriously align perfectly to allow the hose to be threaded through! (and they appear to have no other use!)

Dave

[threelitre]

Originally posted by Dave
The amazing thing is, they are not actually flat on the bottom - but the top of the bumper matches the profile almost perfectly! there is also a couple of holes on the inside of the bumper that mysteriously align perfectly to allow the hose to be threaded through! (and they appear to have no other use!)

Dave

Hi!

If they have considered selling the Maestro in Sweden (did they ever?), they must have thought baout fitting headlamp washers. It seems they are obliged to be fitted there. Even the Maxi had them for Sweden...

Alexander

[tony]

wont they freeze up over there?

[Dave]

They did sell the maesty in sweden - with the lower ratio van/police 5speed box.

Dave