Washer Fluid

[Jasonn]

Afternoon all,

I was going to call this post "Washer Fluid Consumption" but it sounded too weird.

OK now to start, I picked up my 2016 zed in November last year. Drove it a bit and no issues but last week I got a warning light for no washer fluid, fairly straightforward, popped into Tesco on the way home and bought a big bottle of their ready mixed, then was surprised at how big the washer bottle was, especially as the car had been serviced prior to collection but filled it to the top and made a mental note not to go back to the dealer for their servicing (my local Indy is way better).

Just noted the light has come on again, so trawled the forum and thought that my tesco fluid had knackered the washer bottle sensor (this seems to be a known problem). Thought I'd open the bonnet and see whether I needed to drain it and clean it out but the bottle is empty again - looks like I've got through 5 litres in a week!

There does appear to be any wet patches and the bottle feels dry, is there any part of the system that's prone to leaks that I ought to be aware of?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[Smartbear]

The headlight washers also operate with the lights on & consume more fluid as well as making a mess over the bonnet.
You can adjust the frequency or turn them off completely with Carly
Rob

 

[Mr Tidy]

Or just pull the fuse for them - that was my solution on my 3.0Si as it doesn't have Xenons!

 

[Smartbear]

Or just pull the fuse for them - that was my solution on my 3.0Si as it doesn't have Xenons!

Don’t think that’s possible on the e89 as it knocks the windscreen washers out as well! :?
Rob

 

[buzyg]

Mine always amazes me how much it gets through. Hopefully nothing more a normal washer fluid habit. :cheers:

 

[Smartbear]

Mine always amazes me how much it gets through. Hopefully nothing more a normal washer fluid habit. :cheers:

Disable the headlight washers John, it should help :?
Rob

 

[buzyg]

Mine always amazes me how much it gets through. Hopefully nothing more a normal washer fluid habit. :cheers:

Disable the headlight washers John, it should help :?
Rob

May just do that , but then how would I wash the bonnet with Blue sticky stuff. :roll:

 

[Mr Tidy]

May just do that , but then how would I wash the bonnet with Blue sticky stuff.

Well seeing as you have an E85 you could just pull fuse 20, or disconnect the connector on the headlight washer pump (in fact I suppose that would work on an E89 too).

 

[flybobbie]

The pumps just push into rubber grommets on the tank, check that they aren't leaking.
Have to say even with recent bad weather, probably only top off tank once a month, then only about half to third used.
I use Prestone washer fluid as it's almost clear, well straw coloured and find it doesn't stain my cars light coloured bonnet.

 

[Smartbear]

May just do that , but then how would I wash the bonnet with Blue sticky stuff.

Well seeing as you have an E85 you could just pull fuse 20, or disconnect the connector on the headlight washer pump (in fact I suppose that would work on an E89 too).

There doesn’t seem to be an equivalent connector on the e89 :?
Rob

 

[Smartbear]

May just do that , but then how would I wash the bonnet with Blue sticky stuff.

Well seeing as you have an E85 you could just pull fuse 20, or disconnect the connector on the headlight washer pump (in fact I suppose that would work on an E89 too).

The connector is on the l/h side of the bonnet as you stand in front of it looking at the engine, it’s behind the drivers side headlight from memory :?
Rob

 

[mikedelta]

Enthusiastic as I am about not handing pound notes to dealers I've found, to my surprise, that the screenwash and wiper blades that the BMW dealers supply are noticeably better than anyone else's product. The wipers wipe, silently and the 'wash doesn't clog or stain.

 

[Cees Klumper]

Seems like a leak to me as we've not had to refill our car's reservoir once since first getting it - 7 months ago ...

 

[Beeacon]

Might be worth removing and cleaning the washer tank. The sensors that plug into the bottom might be encrusted with stuff (mine were when I cleaned it) and leaking from there. It's a 15min job with most of your time spent trying to find a bendy brush. As its so easy to remove, you may just find the source of the leak too.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1643809#p1643809

 

[scootr]

Didn't I read the pumps clog on anything other than BMW brand fluid?

 

[enuff_zed]

Didn't I read the pumps clog on anything other than BMW brand fluid?

I'm happy to be contradicted, but I suspect it is not the actual type of fluid, but the mixing of different brands that may cause the issue?

In my daily 335d I have used the same supermarket brand (Tesco) ever since it was new. 2 years and 35k as a daily and never had a washer issue. (There, that's done it!)

 

[Beeacon]

When I cleaned it out it looked like pond sludge from stagnant water. My guess is that the Tesco own brand uses normal water and not distilled when mixed with the antifreeze. Any premium stuff will be fine I'm very confident (and if it does block the little wire mesh filter at the bottom its a very simple job to fix).

 

[scootr]

Thought I had seen something... even went and ordered bmw fluid concentrate.
Hard water could cause an issue with deposits and corrosion too.