Water leak

pvr

pvr

Dutch
 Ruler of the South East UK
Just noticed that it is leaking quite a bit when parking from the passenger side front. As it is all covered by the bumper it is difficult to see, what would be the usual culprit there?

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I'd start by checking the headlight washer on that side - that was the culprit on my car.
 
Looks to far forward for the expansion tank, but that's on that side too.
Sounds a bit dodgy, but dab your finger on it and touch it to your tongue.
If it tastes vinegary its likely to be washer fluid, if it is sugary it's antifreeze.

If it's really odd tasting, make sure your cat hasn't been peeing there. :D
 
Thanks chaps, will do the test and let you know.

Not been a good week as the Abarth p*ssed petrol from the tank as well just before going in for a service. Caught about 2 litres of petrol in a tray before the dripping stopped. Split hose, 8000 miles on the car.
 
Mr Tidy said:
I'd start by checking the headlight washer on that side - that was the culprit on my car.
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As you seem to be right with that one, is that a bumper off job and what needed to be replaced?
 
It was pretty obvious on mine because the jet was sticking up slightly!

I bought a used pair on here and took the car to Ross at RBM. He started off using the headlamp bulb access panel, but found it easier to remove the front of the wheelarch liner rather than the whole bumper!

To get it out you need to remove the cover, and you need to be careful doing that because it attaches to a "D" shaped clip that breaks easily and is only available with a complete jet assembly. My used jet wasn't perfect but using 3 hands (one was mine) we got the centre out of the jet body and Ross fitted a new "O" ring then put it all back together.

After all that malarkey I pulled the fuse (Number 19 IIRC) so the headlamp washers no longer operate so won't leak again either. :D
 
Worst case, new headlight washer, if you want to preserve the functionality. Best case, a new o-ring. Easy to do with the bumper off, but probably possible from below with the undertray off (which would have to come off anyway to remove the bumper).
 
I never want to use the washer, is it an MOT item?

Thanks guys, will have a look by taking that side apart and see what is going on.

Bumper needs to come off anyway for a respray and replacing the fog lights so might do that instead. Just worried about how many brackets I snap doing it :?
 
Mine has passed the MOT 2 years running without the washers working - although I keep the fuse in the glovebox just in case!

My understanding is that cars registered before some date in 2009 don't need working headlight washers even if they have Xenons.

I think there are only 2 brackets that routinely snap and are stupidly expensive from BMW - the ones at each end of the bumper by the front wings.
 
pvr said:
I never want to use the washer, is it an MOT item?

Thanks guys, will have a look by taking that side apart and see what is going on.
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Paul, try opening the little access panel in the wheel arch and have someone squirt the washers from the drivers seat. You may be able to see if there's washer fluid dripping from where the pipe connects to the actual washer.
Its a pipe that just pushes on, maybe just needs a firmer push or jubilee clip added?

I had mine drip, but what was happening was the water was collecting at the bottom of the bumper and wasn't overly visible on the ground. But as soon as you moved off, all the water poured off the bumper onto the ground.
 
Mr Tidy said:
I think there are only 2 brackets that routinely snap and are stupidly expensive from BMW - the ones at each end of the bumper by the front wings.
Click to expand...

On a side note, I still haven't had the balls to try to pull my bumper off because of these clips. Still searching for a decent video or photo guide showing how they actually connect.
 
This happened to mine. Since its not an MOT requirement and they ruin a good clean car, I pulled Fuse 40 first to disconnect the headlight washers. The leak seemed to be from the lower washer bottle pump so it got bunged up by my Indy and not a drop since.
 
I have a replacement unit coming so will see what is going on then
 
Just an update on this one, with Carly, you can actually de-code the washer function so instead of pulling the fuse out, I just coded it out. So much better than those masses of water running over your bonnet from the headlight washers :D
 
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