Bumper grilles and plugs: common defects and their signs.

1. Soiling. It is easy to detect it during component visual inspection.
2. Abrasive wear.
   • The bumper grilles and plugs are deformed, scratches and dents appear.
   • The components are displaced from the mounting seat.
   • The radiator soils faster if the plug is worn out.
3. Cracking.
   • The engine warms up longer in winter.
   • Rattling of the defective part appears during driving on the rough road.
   • Fuel consumption increases.

How to replace bumper grilles and plugs?

Manufacturers do not indicate a specific service life for the bumper grilles and plugs. Usually, they are used mostly in cold season for shortening engine warm-up time and for protection of the radiator from low temperature and ingress of abrasive and chemically active substances. Their operational lifetime depends on vehicle operation conditions and observance of components installation rules. Fasteners of the grilles and plugs can often be damaged due to improper installation of the latter. Moreover, due to their location on a car, components are exposed to soiling, abrasive wear and mechanical damages. In case of their soiling, operability of the bumper grilles and plugs may be restored with the help of special cleaning agents. If the components are deformed or damaged, it is necessary to replace them.

Replacement procedure depends on the type of the car components fasteners. Basically, the algorithm is quite simple – every car owner will be able to perform it at presence of basic knowledge. There is no need for bumper demounting to gain access to the defective component. It is sufficient to just remove the clamps of the grille or plug, undo fasteners and clips, remove the broken part, install a new one, and carefully tighten the fasteners.