Headlight Washers - Replace or Delete?

At some point during my last drive one of the headlight washer nozzles disappeared. Several suppliers have the entire assembly for between $250 and $270 (I would do both). Judging by the videos I've seen, swapping them out doesn't seem to be that difficult. I also found the washer delete inserts for <$45. If this was your original-state 2001 996, would you spend $500+ to keep the car original, or remove the washers and use the delete inserts? TIA

Replace them, they are an original part of the car. At least you only lost a piece above the internal valve, when they fail below they can siphon the reservoir on to your garage floor. Ask me how I know. The job is a bit fiddly but easy. Most challenging part is getting the alignment just right as there is a small bit of adjustment allowed by the mounts. Also, on our Boxster S, I needed to cut off a part of the original hose where it was on the washer and then splice in a short hose extension as the passenger side hose had almost no extra length.

I replaced mine 2-3 years ago. I think I paid ~$180 each from Pelican with a 10% discount. They look better but unfortunately they still don't work. I live in CA so it was mostly a cosmetic thing for me.

Delete 'em. (I did)

You Tube 996 628 143 00 Driver's side 996 628 144 00 Passenger's side $80ish is about as cheap as I found for each one.

I bought the replacement pieces to delete mine on my 2001, but haven't done it yet. Plan to plug the washer lines and pull the pump fuse. URO Parts 99663104500 Headlight Trim Reflector, Clear Left URO Parts 99663104600 Headlight Trim Reflector, Clear Right

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OP is talking about the 996.1 version. This video shows a 996.2.

It�s probably just me, but I tend to �fix� things as opposed to rigging or deleting them� so, in a word I would replace the headlight washer� I should probably also mention that in the 12 years I�ve owned my car, I have NEVER used the headlight washers!!! I did check that they work, but when I�m driving the car I wash it quite often - there�s little to no need to spray washer fluid on them (and by extension all over the fenders) while I�m driving..

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I "lost" a chrome H/L-washer cover on my '04 C4S. Bummer. However, in over 30 years of 911 owner/driver I ALSO NEVER used the headlight washers. Useless item, not worth the trouble. I found a RL-fellow, has a few "yellow" 996s, and he said he had a "used chrome cover. Great!. I don't remember if I paid $ for it or it was "free junk", but whatever the case, it arrived. I had made a "plastic ugly alum-spray-paint-temp" one. I simply siliconed the "new-to-me" chrome one on, pulled the fuse and life goes on. Cheap fix for something that doesn't need to be there. Who is going to "test" the headlight washers in a buy-sell event? Ever seen that "move" on a showroom floor? Nonsense, cover it and move on. My sincere thanks to the RL fellow who had a spare cover in his junk drawer. (name omitted to protect the innocent). And no, I am not so tight so I squeak when I walk, I am probably doing a 4.1L rebuild - my C4S is my Forever Car. JMO YMMV

So Ive been contemplating the same thing. I was thinking of deleting them but the triangular inserts Ive seen seem to be a different shade than my lenses (at least in pics) on my 2000, not amber. Are there factory Porsche pieces that replace them? Anyone have any pics of 996.1 headlights with the washers deleted?

I deleted mine with oem corners, looks a lot cleaner in my opinion

Im a purist, and I would like to keep mine. I also contemplate doing a safari build on my C4, and have visions of splashing through mud puddles in the dark and then actually needing to wash my headlights. However, I would also appreciate the cleaner look of the delete. What does one have to do to "delete" them?

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I am also a purist and repaired mine. That being said, at a minimum you would remove the sprayers, plug the lines and on the .1's replace the original triangles with non-washer ones. The .2's use a blanking cap maybe?? Not that familiar with their inner workings. Beyond that it depends on how thorough you want to be; remove the dedicated plumbing and pump (prob unnecessary) and replace the column switch for a non washer one. Just fix 'em