[davyk31]

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?

[oldnail]

Originally Posted by davyk31

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.

[davyk31]

Cheers, anyone know where the filter is ???

[oldnail]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Cheers, anyone know where the filter is ???

Here's a thread about it:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472258

[davyk31]

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?

[coopersim]

Originally Posted by davyk31

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)

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by oldnail

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.

[Dr Dave]

Drain tank as per link ^, wash out with boiling water, clean filter, refill with decent quality screenwash & water.

[oldnail]

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

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!

[Brian mc21]

Originally Posted by davyk31

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.

[davyk31]

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.

[Dr Dave]

I too wouldn't advocate using compressed air.

[ASR1]

I've done this myself once - the best way is unfortunately takes longest (disassembling the filter / bottle and cleaning it)

[ASR1]

I've done this myself once - the best way is unfortunately takes longest (disassembling the filter / bottle and cleaning it)

[mistryn]

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

[doughboy]

keeping a good strong mix of screenwash is the best advice, the methanol will kill any bacteria or mould and stop stagnant smells too