Flushing out old water from washer reservoir

[OnTheSauce]

Hi all,

I'm planning on flushing out all the old water that's currently sat in my BMW's washer bottle. After numerous top ups with pure water, it's probably not got any actual solution anymore. Plus, the pump has failed meaning that water has been festering for months. It's likely full of bacteria etc.

Any tips on the best way of getting it out safely?

Thanks

Edited by OnTheSauce on Saturday 12th October 11:30

[Andeh1]

Cheapie drill mounted pump?

Or just stick a hose in and run gently for 20mins to flush it out?

[GreenV8S]

If it's accessible, you could disconnect the outlet hose from the pump and use the pump to empty it.

[InitialDave]

I use my pneumatic suction bleeder with the bleed nipple adaptor removed to leave a plain tube. Just suck it out.

Failing that, I'd pull the pump (if accessible) and let it all flow out, or run the pump with the hose detached until drained.

[Jakg]

You can change the screenwash lots of ways (can't say I've ever bothered, though) but if you want to actually clean it out you'll need to take out the pump and associated filter and blast it through.

[OnTheSauce]

Thanks all. The pump has failed so can't use that, and not in possession of a suction pump, but thinking of removing the whole reservoir and emptying that? Giving it a clean, and putting some disinfectant through the whole system. Unfortunately the bottle sits down in the front bumper by the passenger wheel, so not easy to get to.

Hopefully the bottle isn't too hard to remove..

[GreenV8S]

In that case you need to remove the pump anyway, which probably involves removing the tank, so any question about how to drain it is academic.

[OnTheSauce]

From what I gather, the pump can be changed without having to remove the bottle. Was really fishing for ideas on the easiest and safest way to drain it. Looks like I'll just take the whole thing off and give it a good clean.

Cheers

[InitialDave]

When you remove the old pump, blast it through with a hose before fitting a new one?

[Dogwatch]

Don't let any of the disturbed gunge swilling about in the washer tank get into the pipes or you'll be forever having to unblock the jets (voice of experience ).

As a tip, if a jet is blocked cut a single "bristle" from a wire brush to clear it.

[GreenV8S]

OnTheSauce said:

Was really fishing for ideas on the easiest and safest way to drain it.

When you remove the pump the tank will empty itself. Isn't that all there is to it?

[colin_p]

Chances are that you will have to take a wheel arch liner and or bumper off for access to pump.

For the sake of a few more fixings, take the bottle off the car and give it a proper seeing to.

[tapkaJohnD]

onTheSauce,
Something like this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Aquarium-Water-Pump-...

John

[OnTheSauce]

tapkaJohnD said:

onTheSauce,
Something like this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Aquarium-Water-Pump-...

John

Cheers - bought a siphon last night; just a cheapo Halfords one.

Hoping to remove as much of the cruddy water as possible with it, pour in some hot water along with a bit of cleaner, leave it, and then siphon again.

Will remove front bumper for easier access (car is a 2006 6 Series), remove the pump, disconnect bottle, and thoroughly clean before reinstalling. Have bought a new pump.

Hope it isn't easier said than done.

[OnTheSauce]

Thanks for the replies, all. I'm doing it the long winded way as I don't want that water pi$$ing out everywhere.

[steveo3002]

sounds like youve over complicated this , access the pump and pull it , let the water drain into a bucket , flush with hose and fit new pump

[HealeyV8]

I just had to sort out my washers on a BMW E46. The pumps (windscreen & Lights) sit in holes in the washer reservoir. There are filters between the pump end and the reservoir these catch all the crud and then block up water to the pump.
I emptied the reservoir using a length of tubing using gravity syphoning to move the water outside the car.
You really need to remove the reservoir from the car and clean it out thoroughly along with the filters otherwise you are wasting your time and will still have problems.