C5 headlamp bulb orientation?

[faddy]

Just replaced the offside dipped headlamp bulb on my Mk1 C5. I know the tab is supposed to be "at the top" but does that mean 12 o'clock? It seemed to lock in place with the tab about 10 o'clock (looking from the rear) but you are working quite blind with that bulb. The pictures in the handbook aren't very clear but seem to show the dipped bulb with connecting pins vertical and the main beam/foglamp bulb rotated a bit from vertical.

Also, how do I tell if a bulb is uv filtered? Is the Bluecol bulb I got from a Tesco petrol station likely to be (nothing on its packaging to say it is)?

[GiveMeABreak]

The bulb packaging should indicate if it is UV filtered or not. If they don't state this on the packing then they are probably not.

[MikeT]

It certainly is exactly 12 oclock with the facelift.
Look on the bulb for a "U" marking. It may be crossed too. That should signify it's UV filtered.

[faddy]

Is there a particular issue with Citroen headlamps and uv that they mention it in the handbook? The lenses on my old Yaris's headlamps would fog up and I'd polish them with T-cut but (doh!) I never made the connection with the type of bulb I was using.

[faddy]

Look on the bulb for a "U" marking. It may be crossed too. That should signify it's UV filtered.

On the glass or on the metal?

[MikeT]

Look on the bulb for a "U" marking. It may be crossed too. That should signify it's UV filtered.

On the glass or on the metal?

The one's I've seen are stamped or printed on the metal collar. Needed a magnifier and bright light for my ailing eyesight to spot it.

[GiveMeABreak]

Some of halogen bulbs can discolour the polycarbonate headlamp housing, so over time they will discolour and yellow - just like plastic left out in the sun. The bulbs that are UV coated provide some protection. Normally the headlamp itself has a protective UV coating to prevent the yellowing and that's another reason to be careful about what you clean your headlamps with. You can buy products to apply to the headlamps to provide this protection as the original coating starts to deteriorate over the years.

[faddy]

So in repositioning the bulb (it has now locked in position with tab at 12 o'clock) the wire clip has fallen off. Aaaaaaargh.

[GiveMeABreak]

Oh, come on - what did you expect? - you've only been at it a day - it'll take at least 3 to change the bulb!

[faddy]

Ok, so I'm hoping I can retrieve the clip with a magnet on a stick, but do I have any hope of replacing it without shifting the LDS tank?

[faddy]

Oh, come on - what did you expect? - you've only been at it a day - it'll take at least 3 to change the bulb!

After all your comments on my other thread I suppose you're allowed one unhelpful one

[GiveMeABreak]

Just think, you'll be a dab hand at it next time round.

[faddy]

Current status

[MikeT]

I've just replaced my bulbs again and took note of how the spring clips in at the bottom. Working blind is the problem and I doubt removing the reservoir will give you a better view as your hand will still be in the way?
What I would try is to get one leg into it's hole, then you'll have a fixed arc/radius to guide you for the other side but it'll be very tricky keeping that leg in it's place while squeezing them together to get the other end in but I think the odds are there to be worth several attempts.
I don't envy your situation but I think you'll get it sorted with enough percywotsit and a few soothing cups of tea when it gets too much and you need a break.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, considering the official approach of 'Bumper Off' it would warrant a few 'think breaks' before you have at it again. I had a hard job doing the HP19W Cornering Lights - no springs but 3 distinct lugs that had to be in a certain way. It took ages to get the the little sods in.