How hard was it to remove the bumper? Specifically from around the headlights.

 

not very hard, just need to remove screws/pins around each wheel well, and pins between the bumper and under-carriage panel.
there might be some youtube video on this.

 

Thanks, I ask because I had all the screws out at one point and felt like I would tear the bumper with the amount of force I was applying to get the clips around the headlight to release. I eventually just left it alone but would like to revisit it someday.

 

As a result of this thread I was motivated to remove my engine covers for the first time so I could check my water pump for leaks. I was unable to get a good look as the engine air intakes (may not be the technical term)were blocking my view. Roadfrog - you removed those engine air intakes to get such a great picture I assume? Was it difficult?

Removing the covers also gave me the opportunity to see a huge pile of leaves and sticks in front of my radiator - definitely check your car for this - see pictures. I saw this mentioned in an old thread but had subsequently forgotten about it. Also found an engine cover clip and cigarette butt amongst those leaves!

One last question for those who remove the engine covers, is mine missing something on the underside in the corner closet to the driver seat? Looks to me like something broke off there.

You can reach your hand in there if you don’t have Popeye forearms. I also used a shopvac.

Pile I removed.

Did something break off here? Corner closet to the drivers seat

 

Don’t ask me..

but i’m a type of person that’ll get something fixed within days. Like someone above mentioned, the water pump could be seeping for years and 20k miles.

i replaced mine within a week on the first signs.
cant afford the unexpected downtime.