Windscreen washes not washing

[PaulB81]

Hi

On my e46 330ci my windscreen washers dont seem to be playing ball.

When I got the car I get the impression it had been sitting for a while and when i tried to wash the screen it wouldnt work at all. After pumping the stalk a few times it spurted out some water but it was only just reaching the base of the wipers.

Then the washer fluid warning light came on. I had a look, it wasnt anywher near empty but I have topped it all the way up anyway.

Its still doing the same thing though although the warning light has gone. When I try to squirt it with the bonnet open it does sound like the 'motor' is trying very hard but not getting very far.

Any ideas what I can check to fix this myself?

Thanks guys
-Paul

[Luca Brasi]

Had the same issue a while ago. Ordered a new pump at my local dealership and installed it myself, only took about half an hour.

[PaulB81]

If you dont mind me asking, do you remember how much it was (roughly)?

[CoolC]

It might be a gunked up pipe. I'm not really sure how you would go about sorting that though. Maybe disconnect the tube at both ends and pour hot water down to clean it out?

[LC23]

Could well be gunked up filters. Easy to do. There should be two on there, one back and one front. Just unclip them and take a look and I reckon you'll find brown sludge on them. Clean them off and clean out the tank as well.

[B1ggest]

it'll be the filter on the pipe as it leaves the bottle at the base of the reservoir, caused by bacterial growth. To prevent use screenwash which has bacterial inhibitor.
To repair, just strip and clean filter with tooth brush.

Common BMW issue, try google....

[PaulB81]

Thanks guys. Thats tomorrow's job then. Will try to get a toothbrush or something in there and clean the filter.

[pattyg]

Nightmare to fix on an E90 apparently and yes very common. Happened to mine just after I bought it.

[PaulB81]

Fixed this today. The washer is now reaching right up to the top corners of the windscreen.

Took the pump off, took the washer bottle out completely, took the filter out. It was really nasty in the bottom of the bottle and in the filter. It looked like the bottom of a pond!!

Blasted it all with a hose, pretty spotless in there now and working perfectly. That was the last little niggle with the car so time to wash it and put the PH sticker that just arrived on the back

Worth doing I think on any beemer if your wiper fluid is not reaching right to the top of the screen. Think I will do it on my other 3 series as well. Only took about 15 mins total. Its just a case of removing 1 10mm bolt and 4 electrical connections.

Edited by PaulB81 on Saturday 2nd April 14:09

Edited by PaulB81 on Saturday 2nd April 14:10

[B1ggest]

Pleased it worked for you Paul.

a bigger job on my E60, but 1/2 hours saves the £150 the dealer quoted!

[Luca Brasi]

PaulB81 said:

Fixed this today. The washer is now reaching right up to the top corners of the windscreen.

Took the pump off, took the washer bottle out completely, took the filter out. It was really nasty in the bottom of the bottle and in the filter. It looked like the bottom of a pond!!

Blasted it all with a hose, pretty spotless in there now and working perfectly. That was the last little niggle with the car so time to wash it and put the PH sticker that just arrived on the back

Worth doing I think on any beemer if your wiper fluid is not reaching right to the top of the screen. Think I will do it on my other 3 series as well. Only took about 15 mins total. Its just a case of removing 1 10mm bolt and 4 electrical connections.

Edited by PaulB81 on Saturday 2nd April 14:09

Edited by PaulB81 on Saturday 2nd April 14:10

Yep, did all that first obviously. Pump just died on mine, glad to hear it worked out for you though!