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      09-28-2012, 03:21 PM   #1
davyk31
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Washer jets weak

Pressed to wash the screen today, hardly ever do that as hate the mess but it just gave a very weak squirt from both washers. Thought I was low on fluid but plenty in it. Motors make the normal noises, what can be the problem?
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      09-28-2012, 03:40 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by davyk31 View Post
Pressed to wash the screen today, hardly ever do that as hate the mess but it just gave a very weak squirt from both washers. Thought I was low on fluid but plenty in it. Motors make the normal noises, what can be the problem?
Had the same thing about a year ago. Don't know if its the same problem that you are having but it turned out there is a filter somewhere in the washer system that had become clogged up (I believe its a common problem). I think that there are some threads on this forum about how to clear the filter yourself (its quite difficult to get at I believe). I ended up leaving it into the dealer and they charged £50 to clean it.

I was told it was caused by not using BMW washer additive (I was using whatever I could find cheapest)! I've switched to using the BMW branded additive and haven't had a problem since.
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      09-28-2012, 03:58 PM   #3
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Cheers, anyone know where the filter is ???
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      09-28-2012, 04:44 PM   #4
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Cheers, anyone know where the filter is ???
Here's a thread about it:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472258
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      09-28-2012, 04:51 PM   #5
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Excellent thanks, now need to decide whether to blast with compressor or take the filter out properly. Anyone done the filter removal, is it a tricky task?
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      09-28-2012, 05:22 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by davyk31 View Post
Excellent thanks, now need to decide whether to blast with compressor or take the filter out properly. Anyone done the filter removal, is it a tricky task?
First time round it will take you about an hour, it's not that bad really, worst bit is removing the wheel liner (quite a few nuts and screws)
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      09-29-2012, 03:28 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldnail View Post
Had the same thing about a year ago. Don't know if its the same problem that you are having but it turned out there is a filter somewhere in the washer system that had become clogged up (I believe its a common problem). I think that there are some threads on this forum about how to clear the filter yourself (its quite difficult to get at I believe). I ended up leaving it into the dealer and they charged £50 to clean it.

I was told it was caused by not using BMW washer additive (I was using whatever I could find cheapest)! I've switched to using the BMW branded additive and haven't had a problem since.
Exactly. Was told the same - not using BMW fluid and not using the liquid quick enough allowing it to get scummy. Think it was more like 75 quid to fix mine.

All a bit rubbish really, never had a car where this is a problem before.
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      09-29-2012, 04:21 AM   #8
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Drain tank as per link ^, wash out with boiling water, clean filter, refill with decent quality screenwash & water.
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      09-29-2012, 01:22 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by BanziBarn View Post
Exactly. Was told the same - not using BMW fluid and not using the liquid quick enough allowing it to get scummy. Think it was more like 75 quid to fix mine.

All a bit rubbish really, never had a car where this is a problem before.
I agree. Interestingly the two other cars (a Golf and an Ibiza) that I have access to have a filter where you put the water into the washer bottle thus filtering it before it gets into the water bottle (and meaning that cleaning the filter is a matter if lifting it out and running it under a tap).

I presume that there must be some good reason why BMW have put the filter where it is, but I'm struggling!
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      09-29-2012, 03:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
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Excellent thanks, now need to decide whether to blast with compressor or take the filter out properly. Anyone done the filter removal, is it a tricky task?
I remember doing the old compressor thing on one of her indoors old civics and it blew the pipe off at a joint and was a bit of a pita to get at to reconnect. Be careful.
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      09-29-2012, 04:31 PM   #11
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Thats what worries me, putting too much pressure down a pipe and bursting something. Reckon the only real answer is to strip it down, need to decide if I want to give it a go or pay someone to do it.
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      09-29-2012, 05:46 PM   #12
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I too wouldn't advocate using compressed air.
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      09-29-2012, 08:00 PM   #13
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I've done this myself once - the best way is unfortunately takes longest (disassembling the filter / bottle and cleaning it)
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      09-29-2012, 08:22 PM   #14
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I've done this myself once - the best way is unfortunately takes longest (disassembling the filter / bottle and cleaning it)
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      09-30-2012, 05:17 AM   #15
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When I got my car the first time I used the washers it gave a very bad stake smell, only because I presume the water had been in the bottle for a long time. I did look into taking the bottle out etc but due to time it was not possible. Then i read someone who dissolved a calgon tablet in hot water and poured it into the water bottle and left for 20 minutes - took the hose off under the scuttle panel and drained

I did the same and the smell had gone plus there was a bit more force coming out of the jets - perhaps you can try that before taking the bottle out
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      09-30-2012, 09:19 AM   #16
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keeping a good strong mix of screenwash is the best advice, the methanol will kill any bacteria or mould and stop stagnant smells too
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