Which screenwash?

[MitchT]

I have an (almost) 20 year old E36 which I've owned from new and has always had generic screen wash diluted with water. This has never been an issue. The OH, on the other hand, has a modern BMW which ended up with a blockage somewhere in the screen wash system as a result of the same approach. Which screen wash should we use for it then? We're not trailing to the nearest BMW main dealer as it's actually not remotely near. Is any of the stuff sold at Halfords OK to use?

[Mr Tidy]

MitchT said:

I have an (almost) 20 year old E36 which I've owned from new and has always had generic screen wash diluted with water. This has never been an issue. The OH, on the other hand, has a modern BMW which ended up with a blockage somewhere in the screen wash system as a result of the same approach. Which screen wash should we use for it then? We're not trailing to the nearest BMW main dealer as it's actually not remotely near. Is any of the stuff sold at Halfords OK to use?

The problem seems to occur when you use generic screenwash - it doesn't mix with the over-priced BMW product!

I've flushed and cleaned an E46 and an E86 - so long as you use the same additive it works fine!

[helix402]

If you want gen BMW screenwash you can buy it on eBay for home delivery. Wurth screenwash is very similar and also available from eBay. If you have trade contacts Quantum (VAG) also supply very high quality screenwash.

[Collectingbrass]

I use Prestone in my E63 and E36 and dont have any problems, but I only ever use that (&diluted obviously) and dont mix it with anything else. I've seen else where that if you mix blue & pink screen wash that they will clog the pumps.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/prestone-ready-to-use-s...

I've seen people recommend a Clagon tablet for a clogged screenwash but I'm not sure. RealOEM will tell you where the tank is and they arent diffifcult to get at, normally they are in the wheel arch behind the liner.

[aeropilot]

MitchT said:

I have an (almost) 20 year old E36 which I've owned from new and has always had generic screen wash diluted with water. This has never been an issue. The OH, on the other hand, has a modern BMW which ended up with a blockage somewhere in the screen wash system as a result of the same approach. Which screen wash should we use for it then? We're not trailing to the nearest BMW main dealer as it's actually not remotely near. Is any of the stuff sold at Halfords OK to use?

After a similar situation in my 135i, in my experience only the BMW stuff won't give you the problems. As a result I've never used anything other than BMW screen fluid in my now current X5.
BMW will sell you the large 5 litre containers of it, which you could get a couple of and would mean less frequent trips to the dealer, which is what I do.

(I had the same issues with Saab back in the late 90's early 2000's, and had to use only Saab stuff, and then no problems after)

Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 18th December 12:05

[Martyn76]

Only ever used Halfords premixed screen wash in my E91, not had any issues. As mentioned I think the issue is that the BMW screen wash doesn't mix well with other non OEM stuff

[s70rmp]

autoglym Ultimate Screen wash - used it for years with out issue

[MitchT]

helix402 said:

If you want gen BMW screenwash...

We don't care what it is, we just want the car not to have a hissy fit when we use it, whatever it ends up being.

As I said, my 20 year old E36 has never had an issue. Modern BMWs with their "designed-to-fail" nonsense like this and their electronic steering lock are a pain to own by comparison but no doubt a good cash cow for the dealerships that do five minutes' work to fix it and then charge you a small fortune plus VAT.

Anyway, thanks for the replies - we'll maybe try the Halfords premix first.

[aeropilot]

MitchT said:

Anyway, thanks for the replies - we'll maybe try the Halfords premix first.

The washer system in my 2011 BMW 135i didn't like that.....

[crolandc]

So if not using BMW stuff you should tell BMW garage not to top your washer bottle up when in for service!

[Matt_N]

Yeh it seems to manifest when you mix two (or more) different types of screen wash, the tank gunks up then blocks the micro filters on the pump inlets.

When I got my E91 both front and rear washers weren’t working, I had to strip out the drivers wheel arch to get to the tank, both filters were covered in green gunk and blocked.

I buy BMW stuff from eBay.

[bigdom]

I use Prestone unmixed blue stuff. 5L around £5 in Costco. Works fine across the 2008 -2017 the household BMW's. Drained and flushed all reservoirs before swapping.

[Monty Python]

If you're changing from the BMW stuff, I'd flush the system with plenty of water first to clean most of the residual stuff out first. I've been using a variety of different non-BMW stuff in my F30 but always using deionised water to dilute it.

[crolandc]

Have ordered O.E.stuff off e-bay ( Stratstone ) about £15 for 5 litres, and plan to drain & flush system and just use o.e. stuff from now on so cannot cock it up. Never had a problem with it but know there are more than one products in there. Better safe than sorry eh.

[MitchT]

She takes it to German Autocare near Leeds for servicing so we'll have to find out what they put in it when they cleaned it out. Still doesn't explain why my E36 has never clogged in 20 years regardless of what I've put in it.

[Mr Tidy]

MitchT said:

She takes it to German Autocare near Leeds for servicing so we'll have to find out what they put in it when they cleaned it out. Still doesn't explain why my E36 has never clogged in 20 years regardless of what I've put in it.

I never had that problem with any car until I got 21st Century BMWs, but it has afflicted 2 of my 6 - I doubt it is accidental!

[to3m]

I've put the blue Prestone stuff from Costco into my E46 (RIP - but no problems noted - it wasn't the screenwash that killed it) and my E90 (no problems noted yet, though it's only been 1 year). It's fairly cheap (~£1/L), and, neat, it's supposedly good down to -20°C or something.

I don't know if this is a recommendation, but I suppose it's not the opposite.

[Felix79]

While eBay is an obvious place to get it from, try taking a look on Amazon too. I've found it is possible to get much better deals on there and if you're a Prime customer, you can save on postage.

[handbraketurn]

Just waiting to find out BMW have official bottles of oxygen you have to breath when you're in the car or you void your warranty.

[Collectingbrass]

handbraketurn said:

Just waiting to find out BMW have official bottles of oxygen you have to breath when you're in the car or you void your warranty.

Ssshhh!!! Don't give Munich ideas!!!