Washer Bottle overflow?

RCUK · 04-14-2009, 08:30 AM

Hey all,

Just filled my washer bottle .. and my car took a pee it seems! Water was leaking from somewhere under the car just behind the front drivers wheel.

I only spilled a few drops so this appears to be coming from somewhere in the washer system.

Is this normal - or do i need a trip to the dealer?

Never noticed this before.

MOB · 04-14-2009, 08:53 AM

I filled mine yesterday, filled to the brim but didn't go over the top, but my car also had a wee underneath.

I wonder if there is an overflow valve somewhere further down?

dxb335d · 04-14-2009, 09:07 AM

Had you both parked near a tree?

RCUK · 04-14-2009, 09:15 AM

nope... but i was thinking 'i just broke my car'

This on top of the RFT indicator coming on last night and me needing to use the manual to reset it!

dxb335d · 04-14-2009, 09:29 AM

PMSL

nexus66 · 04-14-2009, 11:00 AM

Having had to take the reservoir out to unclog the pump filter, I can tell you that there is a breather hole in the top of the reservoir inside the wing. It is completely open to the air, but is only ~5mm in diameter. It is possible that some fluid has come out of here?

Was the car sitting on the flat when you filled it? Or pointing downhill maybe?

RCUK · 04-14-2009, 11:27 AM

car was flat on my drive.

Im not overly concerned as just gone out and checke - its stopped leaking, so im guessing its another 'feature' of the car.

Never had the 'feature' in other cars ive owned.

beemerbird · 04-14-2009, 02:16 PM

Both my BMW's did this and the Porsche's do as well - just overflow in my opinion and or a design so the reservoir isn't too full to allow for natural expansion. So no worries about the wee wee.

Why don't alot of you men

- you all think you can work it out without something 'telling' you how to do it.........c'mon admit it.

miopyk · 04-14-2009, 03:10 PM

Don't you guys recognise when a car is marking it's territory? Woe betide any Mercs or VWs who try to invade the marked area, the 3 series is renowned for it's viciousness

Miopyk

RCUK · 04-14-2009, 05:11 PM

Fair point .. ive noticed my wifes merc looking very sheepish now its parked on the drive ...

SoYank · 04-14-2009, 05:29 PM

If the reservoir fill tube has a tight fitting cap on it, when the pump runs it will lower the pressure inside the reservoir to where it can collapse. A vent will prevent this while not permitting an unacceptable loss of fluid.

04-14-2009, 08:30 AM	#1
RCUK Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 911 Turbo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orpington, Kent iTrader: (4)	Washer Bottle overflow? Hey all, Just filled my washer bottle .. and my car took a pee it seems! Water was leaking from somewhere under the car just behind the front drivers wheel. I only spilled a few drops so this appears to be coming from somewhere in the washer system. Is this normal - or do i need a trip to the dealer? Never noticed this before. __________________ Been there, done that, driven the 'Ring
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04-14-2009, 08:53 AM	#2
MOB Major 59 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: Alpine White M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (4)	I filled mine yesterday, filled to the brim but didn't go over the top, but my car also had a wee underneath. I wonder if there is an overflow valve somewhere further down? __________________
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04-14-2009, 09:07 AM	#3
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Had you both parked near a tree? __________________ 997.2 GT3
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04-14-2009, 09:15 AM	#4
RCUK Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 911 Turbo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orpington, Kent iTrader: (4)	nope... but i was thinking 'i just broke my car' This on top of the RFT indicator coming on last night and me needing to use the manual to reset it! __________________ Been there, done that, driven the 'Ring
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04-14-2009, 09:29 AM	#5
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	PMSL __________________ 997.2 GT3
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04-14-2009, 11:00 AM	#6
nexus66 Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 239 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Having had to take the reservoir out to unclog the pump filter, I can tell you that there is a breather hole in the top of the reservoir inside the wing. It is completely open to the air, but is only ~5mm in diameter. It is possible that some fluid has come out of here? Was the car sitting on the flat when you filled it? Or pointing downhill maybe? __________________ Drives: BMW F80 M3 - Sahkir Orange
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04-14-2009, 11:27 AM	#7
RCUK Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 911 Turbo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orpington, Kent iTrader: (4)	car was flat on my drive. Im not overly concerned as just gone out and checke - its stopped leaking, so im guessing its another 'feature' of the car. Never had the 'feature' in other cars ive owned. __________________ Been there, done that, driven the 'Ring
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-14-2009, 02:16 PM	#8
beemerbird Major General 178 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	Both my BMW's did this and the Porsche's do as well - just overflow in my opinion and or a design so the reservoir isn't too full to allow for natural expansion. So no worries about the wee wee. Why don't alot of you men - you all think you can work it out without something 'telling' you how to do it.........c'mon admit it.
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04-14-2009, 03:10 PM	#9
miopyk First Lieutenant 14 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 987 Boxster & R56 Cooper S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Don't you guys recognise when a car is marking it's territory? Woe betide any Mercs or VWs who try to invade the marked area, the 3 series is renowned for it's viciousness Miopyk
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04-14-2009, 05:11 PM	#10
RCUK Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 911 Turbo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orpington, Kent iTrader: (4)	Fair point .. ive noticed my wifes merc looking very sheepish now its parked on the drive ... __________________ Been there, done that, driven the 'Ring
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04-14-2009, 05:29 PM	#11
SoYank Major General 584 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	If the reservoir fill tube has a tight fitting cap on it, when the pump runs it will lower the pressure inside the reservoir to where it can collapse. A vent will prevent this while not permitting an unacceptable loss of fluid. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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