Washer jets not working, but what is this?

[OnTheSauce]

Hi all,

The washer jets on my 650 haven’t worked for a while. Thought I'd investigate as the MOT is coming up.

Couldn’t hear the pump working at all, so assumed it just needed a new one. Thought I'd also check the lines were clear by blowing down them – can hear things moving, so all good, but then saw some water cough out of this. Is it supposed to be exposed like that?

Cheers

Edited by OnTheSauce on Thursday 3rd October 15:52

[helix402]

Yes. It’s a vent hose.

[OnTheSauce]

That makes sense. Thank you.

[Aluminati]

Check the filter on the pump intake. Highly likely to have the snotball clogging it.

[Pica-Pica]

Aluminati said:

Check the filter on the pump intake. Highly likely to have the snotball clogging it.

..and use genuine BMW washer concentrate!

[Mr Tidy]

Pica-Pica said:

Aluminati said:

Check the filter on the pump intake. Highly likely to have the snotball clogging it.

..and use genuine BMW washer concentrate!

Yes, I've had to clean the filters on 2 older BMWs in the last few years.

But this year when I took my Z4 for it's MOT it failed time for no washer fluid.

I took it home and it turned out the pump had died as I couldn't hear it working.

Luckily I managed to get a new one, fit it and get back in time for a clean MOT the same day!

[OnTheSauce]

Thanks all. I must be honest - haven't used actual washer concentrate in a long time - let alone the BMW one.

Please excuse my lack of technical knowledge here - but I assume the pump's filter will simply be attached to the pump? Just a case of pulling it out and seeing if it's blocked? Also, if it is indeed blocked, the pump should still be making it's typical noise, no? Mine's making no noise at all.

Thanks

[DickyC]

Have you not used washer fluid for any length of time? Got to kill the bugs. Stuff will grow in plain water and gum up the works.

[OnTheSauce]

Afraid not. It's basically just pure water now after various top-ups.

So de-gunk the system before installing a new pump then? Also, it is necessary to remove the front passenger wheel to gain access, or can it be done on full lock?

[DickyC]

Sounds like a de-gunk first. Don't know how to do it on yours though, sorry.

Ten years ago or so a guy in a nearby cubicle had a newish BMW and he was forever on the phone to the garage complaining about its shortcomings. One was blocked washers. He put the call on speaker phone so we could listen to him annihilating the BMW technical rep.

"The jets are continually blocked."
"Are you using the correct fluid."
"No. I use plain water. Buying your screen wash is unnecessary. I know. I am an engineer."
"Are you an automotive engineer?"
"No, I'm in oil and gas."
"Then you should understand about anti-biofouling."

The lad from BMW may have worked on an oil rig or something but however he came by the information it was the last time our bloke used speakerphone.

[Pica-Pica]

Stocked up on four 50ml bottles of the BMW concentrated washer liquid (50ml to 5 litres water, I use water from a dehumidifier). They should last a while. Ordered from BMW via Amazon. Never had blocked pump/jets and don’t want to either.

[T1berious]

Pica-Pica said:

Stocked up on four 50ml bottles of the BMW concentrated washer liquid (50ml to 5 litres water, I use water from a dehumidifier). They should last a while. Ordered from BMW via Amazon. Never had blocked pump/jets and don’t want to either.

^This^

Ours was blocked and since then only use the BMW concentrate

[Swervin_Mervin]

Never use BMW fluid. Never had a problem. 7yrs, 3 BMWs and probably around 100k between them.

What am I doing wrong?

[Pica-Pica]

Swervin_Mervin said:

Never use BMW fluid. Never had a problem. 7yrs, 3 BMWs and probably around 100k between them.

What am I doing wrong?

I never had a problem in the past on my E36, over 149k Miles, but I am following the handbook on my F30 and having read some scary tales, I am taking no chances. Actually, the BMW concentrate is a pretty good screenwash.

[g3org3y]

Swervin_Mervin said:

Never use BMW fluid. Never had a problem. 7yrs, 3 BMWs and probably around 100k between them.

What am I doing wrong?

I think the BMW screenwash has quite a high alcohol content so prevents against mould that can cause blockages. The other issue is mixing different screenwash types can cause it to gunge up (see below on my E46).





If you've used one brand at a decent concentration, I suspect it reduces your risk.

Now that I've cleared the filters on the E46, I'll continue using this stuff because I bought it in bulk on ebay last year (never had any issues on my E36)


For my Z4 and E91, I use the BMW stuff. I can't be arsed with the idea of removing arch liners to get to the reservoir in order to clean filters (on the E91).

[TheGinger1]

I got fed up with my E91 washers not retracting properly and removed the fuse. Put it back in for MOT and they don't work at all. Thought it was going to be an expensive mistake, but reading the MOT rules my 06 e91 which has the regular rubbish halogen lights does not require working washers to pass the MOT. Once I reminded the MOT tester, it sailed through the MOT.

Edited by TheGinger1 on Tuesday 7th January 19:40

[Swervin_Mervin]

g3org3y said:

Swervin_Mervin said:

Never use BMW fluid. Never had a problem. 7yrs, 3 BMWs and probably around 100k between them.

What am I doing wrong?

I think the BMW screenwash has quite a high alcohol content so prevents against mould that can cause blockages. The other issue is mixing different screenwash types can cause it to gunge up (see below on my E46).

If you've used one brand at a decent concentration, I suspect it reduces your risk.

Now that I've cleared the filters on the E46, I'll continue using this stuff because I bought it in bulk on ebay last year (never had any issues on my E36)

For my Z4 and E91, I use the BMW stuff. I can't be arsed with the idea of removing arch liners to get to the reservoir in order to clean filters (on the E91).

Never used a single brand consistentl - used various over the years. Never used BMW stuff though. Most of the time it will run a very weak mix as I don't generally bother much with it when it's not freezing conditions.

People seem to fuss too much. What I will take from this is that if I change for another BMW I'll be sure to run it just on water for a while before using any alternative brands just in case there is some BMW stuff lurking in there

[Pica-Pica]

Swervin_Mervin said:

g3org3y said:

Swervin_Mervin said:

Never use BMW fluid. Never had a problem. 7yrs, 3 BMWs and probably around 100k between them.

What am I doing wrong?

I think the BMW screenwash has quite a high alcohol content so prevents against mould that can cause blockages. The other issue is mixing different screenwash types can cause it to gunge up (see below on my E46).

If you've used one brand at a decent concentration, I suspect it reduces your risk.

Now that I've cleared the filters on the E46, I'll continue using this stuff because I bought it in bulk on ebay last year (never had any issues on my E36)

For my Z4 and E91, I use the BMW stuff. I can't be arsed with the idea of removing arch liners to get to the reservoir in order to clean filters (on the E91).

Never used a single brand consistentl - used various over the years. Never used BMW stuff though. Most of the time it will run a very weak mix as I don't generally bother much with it when it's not freezing conditions.

People seem to fuss too much. What I will take from this is that if I change for another BMW I'll be sure to run it just on water for a while before using any alternative brands just in case there is some BMW stuff lurking in there

I must say, I used Rain-X on my F30 to start with, then read some horror stories, so I:
Let washer bottle run low..
Filled with 1 litre plain water...
Ran that through...
Another litre with a weak white vinegar solution...
Another litre of plain...
After that just the BMW concentrate per 5 litres.

As mentioned, I believe the issue is with mixing different formulations, but I am taking no chances - the BMW stuff is relatively cheap, and is an effective screenwash.

[Mr Tidy]

g3org3y said:

I think the BMW screenwash has quite a high alcohol content so prevents against mould that can cause blockages. The other issue is mixing different screenwash types can cause it to gunge up (see below on my E46).

If you've used one brand at a decent concentration, I suspect it reduces your risk.

Now that I've cleared the filters on the E46, I'll continue using this stuff because I bought it in bulk on ebay last year (never had any issues on my E36)

For my Z4 and E91, I use the BMW stuff. I can't be arsed with the idea of removing arch liners to get to the reservoir in order to clean filters (on the E91).

When I had my first couple of nearly new BMWs I was pretty keen so only used the BMW screenwash.

Then in 2014 I got my E46 with a new MOT, but non-working washers and found just water and algae in the reservoir!

So I flushed it and cleaned the filters then only used one brand of fluid in it (cheapy Prestone stuff from Tescos) and in 3 years I never had a problem.

My 2nd E86 had a similar issue so I flushed that reservoir and cleaned the filters, then used the same fluid in that with no issues so far (over 2 years on).

I can live with a clean and flush in an E46 or E86, but just use the BMW stuff in the E90 because like you I don't fancy stripping out an arch-liner.

I'm sure I read somewhere that dropping a Steradent tablet in can help clear the gunge, but I wouldn't want to rely on that!