Washer Filter Blocked??

[R.E92]

I did my Z4 2 and a half years ago and haven't had a problem since - but I only ever use the same brand of screen-wash. Mixing brands seems to contribute to the problem.

You got it. The problem comes from mixing different types of screenwash.

BMW use a different chemical to most other screenwash. The best thing to do is buy a 5L bottle of the BMW stuff from the dealer and top it up yourself. If you go and buy some supermarket screenwash and then it goes into BMW for a service and they top it off with some BMW brand stuff you end up with clogged washers and a tank full of gunk.

BMW stuff. I've only ever used cheapy Prestone screen-wash from Tesco since I cleaned it all out. Did the same with my E46 and that worked for 3 years until I sold it.

Seeing as my Z4 won't ever be going to a BMW dealer it won't get topped up with their "snake-potion"!

Although I did buy some of the BMW branded stuff for my E91 as it has full BMW service history up to 132K miles, and the reservoir is hidden in a front wheel-arch!

If you're never going to visit a dealer then it's no problem. I'd take over-priced screenwash over having to clean out the washer bottle again.

To be fair, the BMW stuff works really well at getting rid of grime so it's not a complete ripoff. I last paid £18 for 5L and It's pretty concentrated stuff (Works down to -63C) so I use 1 part screenwash to 4 parts water. I tend to get 3 years out of a 5L tub.

For anyone reading this who's interested in the BMW stuff, it's available on the BMW store: https://shop.bmw.co.uk/bmw-uk/en_GB/p/g ... 3005000ml/

Or for the more discerning person with a little more cash than sense there's the organic ginger infused option (that's got to be an april fools joke they forgot to remove!!):
https://shop.bmw.co.uk/bmw-uk/en_GB/p/- ... t/2405483/

[AnubisZed]

Old screen wash can "go off" as well so watch out for gunge in the bottom of the bottle before using it.

Use an old tooth brush on the filter (do both filters at the same time, screen and headlights) and make sure you clean the tank out (best to remove it first, only a few screws) with a hose on jet.

[RustyZ4]

Looks like that's my job for this weekend

[ronk]

To be fair, the BMW stuff works really well at getting rid of grime so it's not a complete ripoff. I last paid £18 for 5L and It's pretty concentrated stuff (Works down to -63C) so I use 1 part screenwash to 4 parts water. I tend to get 3 years out of a 5L tub.

Sound advice
I use the stuff in Summer (more diluted) and Winter.

[JimsZ]

So glad I’d done mine I had the seagull from hell unload it’s intestines on my bonnet and windscreen this morning

The washers worked perfectly but I had to go get a bucket of hot water and cloth to clean the bonnet

[firebobby]

So glad I’d done mine I had the seagull from hell unload it’s intestines on my bonnet and windscreen this morning

The washers worked perfectly but I had to go get a bucket of hot water and cloth to clean the bonnet

I had that problem, they must hunt Zeds down just to crap on them
Probably trained by the RAF

[JimsZ]

So glad I’d done mine I had the seagull from hell unload it’s intestines on my bonnet and windscreen this morning

The washers worked perfectly but I had to go get a bucket of hot water and cloth to clean the bonnet

I had that problem, they must hunt Zeds down just to crap on them
Probably trained by the RAF

Wrong bird, I’d rather it was a babe magnet

[estorilmouse]

A cheaper way to clean things

Steradent.

Throw a couple in the tank, leave for half an hour. Add clean water skim off the scum that comes up to the top. Siphon out the remaking water and refill with clean water , repeat a couple of times. Run clean water through the system to clear out the steradent.

A mate told me about this, he does every couple years in his M5.

[EssexZed]

A cheaper way to clean things

Steradent.

Throw a couple in the tank, leave for half an hour. Add clean water skim off the scum that comes up to the top. Siphon out the remaking water and refill with clean water , repeat a couple of times. Run clean water through the system to clear out the steradent.

A mate told me about this, he does every couple years in his M5.

If that fails you can always filter it through your teeth

[roblightbody]

A cheaper way to clean things

Steradent.

Throw a couple in the tank, leave for half an hour. Add clean water skim off the scum that comes up to the top. Siphon out the remaking water and refill with clean water , repeat a couple of times. Run clean water through the system to clear out the steradent.

A mate told me about this, he does every couple years in his M5.

Certainly easier. Although its not difficult or complicated to clean the filters manually, I found it fiddly and frustrating and did battle with the bottle both on the way out and on the way back in!

[mr.tourette]

A cheaper way to clean things

Steradent.

Throw a couple in the tank, leave for half an hour. Add clean water skim off the scum that comes up to the top. Siphon out the remaking water and refill with clean water , repeat a couple of times. Run clean water through the system to clear out the steradent.

A mate told me about this, he does every couple years in his M5.

siphon out legionnaires disease anyone? the bacteria in that tank must be off the charts

[ric19]

It's possible to syphon water out without sucking..if the pipe is initially filed from a tap and both ends covered with thumbs and one end is lower than the other it will start the syphon..I has to show that to a plumber who was trying to drain our header tank ..red face from him

[mcbutler]

And in future use neat bottled screen wash, no muck in it..

[mcbutler]

A cheaper way to clean things

Steradent.

Throw a couple in the tank, leave for half an hour. Add clean water skim off the scum that comes up to the top. Siphon out the remaking water and refill with clean water , repeat a couple of times. Run clean water through the system to clear out the steradent.

A mate told me about this, he does every couple years in his M5.

siphon out legionnaires disease anyone? the bacteria in that tank must be off the charts

unlikely, legionella is nearly always inhaled which results in a pneumonia type infection.
Still, worth considering though I guess

[mr.tourette]

A cheaper way to clean things

Steradent.

Throw a couple in the tank, leave for half an hour. Add clean water skim off the scum that comes up to the top. Siphon out the remaking water and refill with clean water , repeat a couple of times. Run clean water through the system to clear out the steradent.

A mate told me about this, he does every couple years in his M5.

siphon out legionnaires disease anyone? the bacteria in that tank must be off the charts

unlikely, legionella is nearly always inhaled which results in a pneumonia type infection.
Still, worth considering though I guess

you would not catch me siphoning out that water whether you could catch it or not..those tanks are breeding grounds with the warm engine providing perfect conditions for growth