Please help - Washer bottle emptying (on it's own!)

L

Leystan

Member
 South Coast
A couple of weeks ago my washer bottle on my 07 Coupè suddenly emptied completely, apparently overnight. After reading a few other threads on here i suspected the headlight pump might have failed and, indeed, the headlamp washers seem to have stopped. I have since disconnected the wire on top of the headlight pump (headlight washers useless IMO) as i thought this was the cause of the jettisoning....but no joy, bottle is empty again.

Can anyone help me understand what's happening, and more importantly, how i can fix it?
 
You may find that the fluid tube going to the headlight washer has been blown off due to pressure build up (Blocked jet or frozen). The actual pressure from pump activates the headlight washer) i think you have to remove the front bumper to access the unit but iam not to sure, some one o here had the exact same problem .
 
Most likely result of freezing pushing off a washer jet hose or damage to the jet mechanism.
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Fill it up wait for the leak and you'll find it. Probably bumper off to fix

Edit - sorry Jonnyfive - didn't see you'd posted while I typed a response.
 
Thanks peop's. This happened in the recent freeze, plus bottle was run dry just before so your diagnostics sound likely. Anyone point me in the direction of a handy bumper-off DIY guide?
 
I have the same problem.
Was on a run with pistonheads at the weekend and about an hour into the run my washer bottle light came on even though I hadn't touched the windscreen wipers.

My headlight washers still work ok and it doesn't seam to have lost any water in the last couple of days.
 
I had the same problem after last winter... opened the bonnet, unplugged the pipe from the washer bottle to the jets behind the bumper and stuck a cork in it.... problem *solved*
 
Just a quick addition to this...

You can view all the pipework feeding the headlamp washers via the 2 inspection hatches in the wheel arches coupled with looking down the couple of holes (with a torch) where the bonnet catch secures. May save a full bumper removal in some cases?
 
To conclude this...

After a summer of driving around with (mostly) no screenwash as bottle continued to empty, i finally got round to fitting a replacement headlamp wash pump this weekend. I'm not especially handy with cars so you can imagine my delight when all went smoothly and seems to be problem solved. :) Pump was £50.
 
Leystan said:
To conclude this...

After a summer of driving around with (mostly) no screenwash as bottle continued to empty, i finally got round to fitting a replacement headlamp wash pump this weekend. I'm not especially handy with cars so you can imagine my delight when all went smoothly and seems to be problem solved. :) Pump was £50.
Click to expand...
Result! :thumbsup:
 
Aaaaaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!!!

STOP PRESS. Used the wipers this morning and the damn thing has emptied again!! After the 'fix' the headlamp and windscreen jets all functioning properly. Checked that no pipes have blown off. Flummoxed now...and wind very much out of my sails. :(
 
Leystan said:
Aaaaaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!!!

STOP PRESS. Used the wipers this morning and the damn thing has emptied again!! After the 'fix' the headlamp and windscreen jets all functioning properly. Checked that no pipes have blown off. Flummoxed now...and wind very much out of my sails. :(
Click to expand...
I take it there's no obvious sign of a leak under the car? The only other thing I would say is that the washer fluid reservoir on my 5er emptied really quickly if when headlights were being washed too....I realised that one of the bumper jet covers wasn't retracting fully and water was peeing out all over the shop every time I washed the windscreen...
 
I take it there's no obvious sign of a leak under the car? The only other thing I would say is that the washer fluid reservoir on my 5er emptied really quickly if when headlights were being washed too....I realised that one of the bumper jet covers wasn't retracting fully and water was peeing out all over the shop every time I washed the windscreen...
Click to expand...

No obvious sign, i.e. it doesn't beginning emptying immediately after refill, something triggers it. Jet covers not retracting fully? Do you mean the bit you can see from outside the car not returning fully into the bumper or some gubbins underneath?
 
Hi all,

I thought I'd add to this thread since my car has the same problem. i.e. I fill the washer reservoir up and all the water empties out via the passenger side headlight washer nozzle. Thus, a few months back, I removed the reservoir and pump and fitted a bung to stop the liquid emptying. All good so far.

I hate the headlight washer system since the car is never dirty enough to require headlight washers and it makes a mess of the bonnet when used too. However, the first MOT is due (whilst in my ownership) and apparently this covers any headlight wash system fitted to the car, which means I need to get the nozzle fixed.

I removed the bumper last night to see where the water was coming out and it was indeed from the end of the passenger headlight spray nozzle.

So, my choices are... chance the MOT with it not working or purchase part number 61677057451 (High pressure nozzle, left) from BMW and hope that this fixes it.

Has anyone else successfully got their car through an MOT with the nozzles deactivated?
 
I have done exactly the same as you (corked it). MOT is due in a few weeks. Not sure what i'll do yet - declare it or uncork, reconnect and hope they don't notice. I'll update here with any developments.
 
Hi Leystan, I checked my MOT and it's due on the 25th June so it sounds like you may get there before me.

I'm in the position that if I uncork it then the reservoir will empty itself in about 2 minutes, meaning the windscreen washers won't work either, which would definitely be an MOT fail.

A new sprayer nozzle is £61 from BMW and if mine fails the MOT, then I'll just have to go for it and get that.

From what I've read, the leaking issue comes about due to the parts freezing in winter and cracking the plastic so I don't think it's even like I can replace an O-ring or anything like that. :(
 
My car went through its MOT last night (it was due 25th July, not June as previously stated :oops: )

It flew through and the headlamp washers were not even mentioned. However I do have some play in my front right steering tie rod (not an MOT fail point though) so I'll have to replace that ASAP. Ah, the joy. :)
 
Mine sailed through too. I temporarily removed my cork bodge and refitted the pump and pipes just in case though.
 
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