E90 E91 E92 Screen washer fiasco – common problem
Discussion
Was only getting a dribble of water from the washer jets, but could hear the pump whirring away. Looked under the bonnet and nothing visible of course.
Resorted to the usual internet search and discovered it was a common problem for the E90/91/92 pump filter to foul up, but more worryingly, that clearing the filter necessitated removing the n/s/f wheel and wheel arch liner to get to the water tank/pump etc.
One confident poster said the job could be done in two hours. Seemed absolutely ridiculous, but I thought I'd give it a go rather than pay £££s to dealer.
When I eventually got the arch liner off, I realised that it probably wasn't such a good idea. Did some further research and found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY9tsxPANxg. I strongly recommend you view it if you are considering taking this on.
But how ridiculous is it that clearing a washer blockage is such a major exercise??
Resorted to the usual internet search and discovered it was a common problem for the E90/91/92 pump filter to foul up, but more worryingly, that clearing the filter necessitated removing the n/s/f wheel and wheel arch liner to get to the water tank/pump etc.
One confident poster said the job could be done in two hours. Seemed absolutely ridiculous, but I thought I'd give it a go rather than pay £££s to dealer.
When I eventually got the arch liner off, I realised that it probably wasn't such a good idea. Did some further research and found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY9tsxPANxg. I strongly recommend you view it if you are considering taking this on.
But how ridiculous is it that clearing a washer blockage is such a major exercise??
Yes, I also had a go at doing this myself - had to stop half way through first time round after I found the single use rivets on the back of the wheel arch liner. So, had spent ages getting the wheel off, front liner out, and all for nothing.
Once I'd ordered some new rivets from eBay, I had another crack at it. Wasn't too bad second time round getting everything out, but getting everything back in was a massive PITA.
It took at least 30 mins of fiddling to get the reservoir to snap back into place. I'd taken it out to clean it, but just couldn't get the clamp to engage.
I hope I never have to do this again...
Once I'd ordered some new rivets from eBay, I had another crack at it. Wasn't too bad second time round getting everything out, but getting everything back in was a massive PITA.
It took at least 30 mins of fiddling to get the reservoir to snap back into place. I'd taken it out to clean it, but just couldn't get the clamp to engage.
I hope I never have to do this again...
I didn't know that - and I was wondering about an N52 engined E9* 330i to replace my E46 325ti!
Which had the same problem soon after I bought it, but only because the washer tank had been filled with neat tap water (probably by the kn*bhead stealer I got it from - still he got the price wrong too
). Easy job on an E46, couple of electrical connectors and 2 or 3 bolts and the tank lifts out of the engine bay - job jobbed.
I haven't looked closely at the under bonnet layout of an E9* but is it really that cramped - I mean it's a bigger car than en E46? Or is it just what is called "progress"?
Sounds about as much fun as putting a new alternator drive belt on a Fiat Cinquecento, which meant removing the Offside front wheel - but they really are cramped!
Which had the same problem soon after I bought it, but only because the washer tank had been filled with neat tap water (probably by the kn*bhead stealer I got it from - still he got the price wrong too
). Easy job on an E46, couple of electrical connectors and 2 or 3 bolts and the tank lifts out of the engine bay - job jobbed.I haven't looked closely at the under bonnet layout of an E9* but is it really that cramped - I mean it's a bigger car than en E46? Or is it just what is called "progress"?
Sounds about as much fun as putting a new alternator drive belt on a Fiat Cinquecento, which meant removing the Offside front wheel - but they really are cramped!
Thermobaric said:
General consensus seems to be stick to one brand of fluid. Mixing brands seems to cause the blockages.
I think the problem may be caused by water hardness and how concentrated you run the washer fluid. I've mixed types for years and never had a problem - it was only when I forgot and started using just water alone that I started getting crud in the bottle.pits said:
Stop filling your washer bottle with water and off the shelf washer fluid, use BMW washer fluid at correct ratio, shouldn't have any problems.
I've run numerous different models and always used BMW fluid but had countless problems. The only difference is that BMW sort it under warranty rather than charging about £70 if they can tell you have used OEM product.At least on some BMW's they can clear it by connecting an airline rather than taking everything apart
I had this problem twice on my E91 and solved it both time by simply popping off the black hose at the scuttle and sucking the water up the tube. Once the pipe was primed the washers worked fine once more. Might be a hell of a lot quicker than dismantling the wheel arch but you do of course run the risk of a mouth full of washer fluid mix.
E93 2009
Just took me about an hour to sort mine - pretty straight forward.
Jacked car up, removed driver side front wheel, arch liners, then 10mm bolt holding washer bottle, slid it forward, out of the inner arch and popped up/out both pumps from their respective rubber mounts/seals - 1 for the windscreen washers & 1 for the headlights.
As the bottle was still full of fluid, the liquid gushed out taking the floating scummy substance with it, that was causing the blockage, moreso when the filter was removed!
Cleaned the filter, flushed washer bottle with hose, re-inserted filter & pumps, placed bottle back and reassembled liners etc.
Works like new
Just took me about an hour to sort mine - pretty straight forward.
Jacked car up, removed driver side front wheel, arch liners, then 10mm bolt holding washer bottle, slid it forward, out of the inner arch and popped up/out both pumps from their respective rubber mounts/seals - 1 for the windscreen washers & 1 for the headlights.
As the bottle was still full of fluid, the liquid gushed out taking the floating scummy substance with it, that was causing the blockage, moreso when the filter was removed!
Cleaned the filter, flushed washer bottle with hose, re-inserted filter & pumps, placed bottle back and reassembled liners etc.
Works like new
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