Gents,

I noticed some orange flecks inside my front headlamp, so I investigated and found that a Previous Owner used a c$%py bulb where the orange paint coating had flaked off. Luckily I have a good bulb replacement in my box of spare bits.....

Now the problem is whether I put up with the orange flakes in the headlamp, or do I dig in to just clean them out. That's probably a 2 hour job to get the headlamp unit out just to be able to clean out some orange flecks of paint. Previous owner may have saved a $ but it's a problem now.

 

I believe the factory amber bulbs are indeed painted or dipped. The original amber rear turn signal bulbs in my wife's 2006 XK8 failed the annual safety inspection last year because they looked exactly like yours. A couple of new amber bulbs got the car through the reinspection process. They may be coated as well. Time will tell....

 

It’s not a 3 hour job at all. The headlight can be removed in about 30 minutes. All it takes is 2 torx bolts and 1 nut. One of the torx is underneath the headlight. If your car has factory HIDs it becomes a bit more complicated. You will also have to separate the headlamp washer assembly from the bottom of the headlamp. When you have the headlamp about 80% out, you will have to slide out the washer jet nozzle.

When you reassemble it, put the headlamp 80% of the way in, and attach the washer jet assembly. It slides into a triangular space in the headlight and produces a click when its fully seated. Don’t continue with assembly until it clicks because if not, your washer will be loose and dangling about inside the bumper. Afterwards, just push the headlight back in fully, tighten both torx bolts and then the guide nut, and pop the mirror of the washer back in.


It will be much easier to do if you remove the wheel and wheel well liner.