Windscreen Washers Stopped

[Roger645]

On my 645 the washers have stopped working, pump is running and it has water, anyone know where the reservoir and pump. are?

Thanks

[LC23]

This may just be a blockage in the filters in the washer bottle. Had this on my e46. Took the filters out of the washer bottle and they were covered in c*ap. Cleaned them and now the washers work fine.

[M-J-B]

LC23 said:

This may just be a blockage in the filters in the washer bottle. Had this on my e46. Took the filters out of the washer bottle and they were covered in c*ap. Cleaned them and now the washers work fine.

/\/\/\

like the man said

15 minute job at most!

[Roger645]

Thanks for the replies, looks like it's a wheel off and inner wing out to get to the washer bottle. Might be a bit more than 15 mins but a job for the weekend I think

[M-J-B]

You should be able to access the bottle from the top rather than via the wheel well.

My X5 and 535 both did the same and it's just a matter of a tug and a pull and bob's your uncle. Remove the two (yes my cars both had two) pumps and clean the filters. It's normally full of old st from screen wash

[Roger645]

M-J-B said:

You should be able to access the bottle from the top rather than via the wheel well.

My X5 and 535 both did the same and it's just a matter of a tug and a pull and bob's your uncle. Remove the two (yes my cars both had two) pumps and clean the filters. It's normally full of old st from screen wash

You can't even see it from the top, it's buried deep down along the chassis leg by the look of it

[M-J-B]

Roger645 said:

M-J-B said:

You should be able to access the bottle from the top rather than via the wheel well.

My X5 and 535 both did the same and it's just a matter of a tug and a pull and bob's your uncle. Remove the two (yes my cars both had two) pumps and clean the filters. It's normally full of old st from screen wash

You can't even see it from the top, it's buried deep down along the chassis leg by the look of it

In which case you'll have no choice but to spend a day tearing the bloody front apart

[Roger645]

M-J-B said:

Roger645 said:

M-J-B said:

You should be able to access the bottle from the top rather than via the wheel well.

My X5 and 535 both did the same and it's just a matter of a tug and a pull and bob's your uncle. Remove the two (yes my cars both had two) pumps and clean the filters. It's normally full of old st from screen wash

You can't even see it from the top, it's buried deep down along the chassis leg by the look of it

In which case you'll have no choice but to spend a day tearing the bloody front apart

Yep, still better than doing some of the other jobs the OH has lined up for me for bank holiday. Thanks for the advice though.

[skeeterm5]

Just a thought - i had a similar issue with an e39 - turned out it was just the pipe had come off the bottom of the sprayers underneath the bonnet.

Are you running our of water quickly which means it is leaking somewhere?

S

[Roger645]

skeeterm5 said:

Just a thought - i had a similar issue with an e39 - turned out it was just the pipe had come off the bottom of the sprayers underneath the bonnet.

Are you running our of water quickly which means it is leaking somewhere?

S

I did check that and the are connected, when I activate them a get a little splash of water from the jets and nothing, so sounds like a blockage and the previous posts about filters seems to fit so hopefully just that. Thanks anyway

[Kinky]

skeeterm5 said:

Just a thought - i had a similar issue with an e39 - turned out it was just the pipe had come off the bottom of the sprayers underneath the bonnet.

Quite a common one that, on the E39s.

[mike325112]

Its a common fault on the 1 series and a bit of a pain in the a**e to sort. There is a how to on Babybmw net for the 1'er, I guess its a similar design to the 6, if it is behind the wheel arech liner.

Oooo sweary filter does not pick up naughty a naughty word for a bottom - might be being overly cautious but you never know...

Edited by mike325112 on Tuesday 25th August 09:39

[Roger645]

mike325112 said:

Its a common fault on the 1 series and a bit of a pain in the a**e to sort. There is a how to on Babybmw net for the 1'er, I guess its a similar design to the 6, if it is behind the wheel arech liner.

Oooo sweary filter does not pick up naughty a naughty word for a bottom - might be being overly cautious but you never know...

Edited by mike325112 on Tuesday 25th August 09:39

Thanks, had a look and it mentions that the 6'er washer bottle is accessed via the passenger wheel arch and behind the wheel arch liner. The liners bolt on, on the 6 which might make it a bit easier.

[The GMan]

I've got exactly the same problem on mine, water trickles out and can still hear the motor turning. I found if I keep it topped up it it's not as bad.

Anyway will look into this fix.

[Roger645]

The GMan said:

I've got exactly the same problem on mine, water trickles out and can still hear the motor turning. I found if I keep it topped up it it's not as bad.

Anyway will look into this fix.

I'll let you know how it goes if I get a chance this weekend to look at mine

Edited by Roger645 on Thursday 27th August 19:56

[stevesuk]

The GMan said:

I've got exactly the same problem on mine, water trickles out and can still hear the motor turning. I found if I keep it topped up it it's not as bad.

Don't know if its related, but on my E46 I got a similar problem and it turned out the washer pump was leaking. Eventually (after a few days) the leak would empty the washer bottle. £8 on eBay later, and its working perfectly again.

Also, I found that when the system is empty, you have to run the pump without it connected to the hoses to "prime" it, otherwise I was only getting a dribble out of the jets.

On the E46 the washer system is dead easy to work on (even for a numpty like me), so I took the tank out and gave everything a good clean. Might not be so easy if it involves dismantling the front of the car to get at it!

[csljimmy]

Had the same problem with my E46 CSL a while back, was a blocked pipe as well, fixed during the service

Edited by csljimmy on Friday 28th August 00:47

[mike325112]

stevesuk said:

On the E46 the washer system is dead easy to work on (even for a numpty like me), so I took the tank out and gave everything a good clean. Might not be so easy if it involves dismantling the front of the car to get at it!

I did our E46 in about half an hour - which led me to attempt it on the 1 series. Needless to say it took considerably longer!

One thing that did come about which may be worth looking at, apparently some cheaper screen washer cleaners can have algae grow on them which blocks the filters. I don't know if there is any truth in this, but BMW's stuff apparently does not suffer with this. I'm trying it at the momment and it does indeed seem to be working (fingers crossed). I get mine from ebay rather than a dealer - its not too expensive.

Editted to sort quoting

Edited by mike325112 on Friday 28th August 10:16

[stevesuk]

mike325112 said:

I did our E46 in about half an hour - which led me to attempt it on the 1 series. Needless to say it took considerably longer!

Yes, I have memories of trying to fix the rear wash on our old 120D, and that involved lots of swearing Even after buying a new part (non-return valve or something?) it didn't work as I believed it should do. In fact whatever I did made it work far too well, and it could shoot pedestrians from 50 paces...

[mike325112]

stevesuk said:

Yes, I have memories of trying to fix the rear wash on our old 120D, and that involved lots of swearing Even after buying a new part (non-return valve or something?) it didn't work as I believed it should do. In fact whatever I did made it work far too well, and it could shoot pedestrians from 50 paces...

My rear washer still does not work - its even been in the dealers with it and they can't fix it. I've given up with it to be honest.

Edited by mike325112 on Friday 28th August 10:54