Headlamp washers

[golfgeezer]

Hi folks,

I know this is a common problem judging from the forum search function but thought I’d sound out those that have addressed it and found a cure.

So since getting my E86 at the weekend I’ve had a chance tonight to try and find which part of the headlamp washer system is leaking. I’ve taken off the washer reservoir and cleaned it and the filter which didn’t look too bad but a bit of crud did come off. Re-installed and tried them again but the passenger side still isn’t functioning. How do these work exactly? Is it just the water pressure that lifts the nozzles and the only electrical part is the pump that pushes it along? I’m wondering if the leak is because the water can’t exit the jet and then looks for a weak joint and exits wherever that may be? Can the washer jet be removed from the bumper and what is the procedure?

I may just give up like many have and block that particular set of pipework. Where have people blocked it? By removing the pump at the washer reservoir and bunging it there?
There’s also mention of fuse 40. Is that the one that solely operates the headlamp washers and obviously not the windscreen ones?

Cheers

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, as I understand it the water pressure makes the jet rise out of it's housing. The part of the jet that rises can be pulled up out of the bumper, but to remove the complete assembly you need to remove the cover in the wheel-arch for access to the headlight bulbs, although Ross at RBM found it easier to remove the whole front inner arch liner.

The headlamp washers do seem more trouble than they are worth, which is why once I got mine fixed out came Fuse 40 - and the screen washers still work fine!

I never tried blocking the pipes though.

 

[Trav]

I found the shorter pipe to the drivers side washer (from the tee piece) to be kinked. The bottom end of the washer assembly seemed to be able to rotate to remove the kink. The washer jets themselves can be removed from the top. If you carefully prize it up until you can grab the actual jets and not the cover, you can flick up the retaining clip off the serrated part of the piston. It is unlikely though that the blockage or leakage is in the upper assembly. It does allow you to test if the piston raises freely. I gave it all a good spray with that white lithium type stuff to ensure it popped up ok. On the M bumper I was able to slightly move the recessed air scoops to shine a light in to see the kinked hose. I then just used a screwdriver to push the bottom assembly round to the correct orientation to remove the kink. Otherwise its a wheel arch liner removal to get you hand in I would presume.

 

[golfgeezer]

I’ve removed the wheel arch panels that access the fog lights and removed them as they need replaced anyway. What a state :roll:
Looks like fuse 38 is for the windscreen washers and fuse 40 for the headlight washers so I’ll give it one more try tomorrow to see if I can see any obvious kinks etc and then it’ll be bung and fuse removal.

 

[Benderloch]

I lost both the washer covers a couple of months ago which cost me around £50 to replace and paint. After that I decided to remove fuse 40 and fitted the new covers with a little clear sealer to the bumper. Any cars pre 2009 do not require working headlight washers for the MOT, so as far as I’m concerned, problem solved.