Windscreen washer jets not working

I

IvanDobskey

Member
My washer jets have been getting worse over the last few weeks. Tried them today and hardly any water comes out at all now! It's not the motor/pump as I can hear that working as normal no problem. I doubt it's a blockage as both jets are the same. Checked the reservoir is topped up too. Any ideas anyone?
 
X2 on the little filter, happened on mine, my previous E46 and my current touring.. BMW tut tut
 
Hi Ivan,

I had a similar thing last winter, so this is still fairly fresh in my mind:

The washer bottle may have 2 pumps on it - one will be for the main windscreen washer jets, the other for the headlamp washers (only if you have them). Both will have filters.

Now comes the slightly tricky bit - if you have loads of fluid in the bottle, then you may have to siphon some out - at least below the level of the lowest pump - if you just take the pump out, you'll just get washer fluid coming out of that hole. Once the pump is out, you can get at the mesh filter - it just pulls out of that same hole - if it is covered in some slimy gunk, you may be able to get away with just cleaning that off, putting the filter back in, popping the pump back on and topping up again. Alternatively, you could do what I did...

There's one bolt holding the washer bottle in. Undo it, and you can lift the whole thing out.

Wash out all the residual slimy crap from the washer bottle (wire coathanger and a sponge is handy for the corners/edges), and clean the filter(s) thoroughly. Pop it back in the engine bay, put it all back together, fill up with whatever concentration of washer fluid you're using, and give the washer(s) a test. The headlamp ones will only 'fire' when the lights are on (and even then, only on every 3rd 'squirt').

All in, this took about 15 minutes. No problems since.

I hope this helps!

Dev
 
It's usually the combination of windscreen cleaner, heat and time that creates a jelly like residue in the reservoir. As said above that will clog the filter. Just be glad you have a filter else all the pipes and jets would need cleaning or replacing
 
Cheers for the feedback guys, much appreciated!
Sounds like the filter then. I don't have any headlight washer jets so just the one pump. Do I have to remove the pump to get at the filter then? Sounds tricky.
 
This was a common problem on the 1 series and that was a real pitta to fix. The washer bottle on those things are inside the drivers wing so all the arch liner has to come out and the side repeater to gain access.. Oh there were a few knuckles with the bark taken off that day and a few spanners thrown on the floor!! BMW didnt want to know and didnt recognise it as a fault (sounds familiar).

They would only honour claim if you could prove that you had only used BMW screenwash in the system from day 1 as this in listed in the owners manual. What a load of drivvel. How the h*ll are you supposed to prove this. Even if you bought the car brand new and kept every sale receipt for the stuff!!! Just another get out jail free card for them I think. :headbang:

Hope you get yours sorted soon :thumbsup:
 
Typical stealers then really, lol!
Oh great, sounds like a right pain in the rear end to fix then! Looks like a job for my local Indy then. More money to pay out :(
 
Dev said:
Hi Ivan,

I had a similar thing last winter, so this is still fairly fresh in my mind:

The washer bottle may have 2 pumps on it - one will be for the main windscreen washer jets, the other for the headlamp washers (only if you have them). Both will have filters.

Now comes the slightly tricky bit - if you have loads of fluid in the bottle, then you may have to siphon some out - at least below the level of the lowest pump - if you just take the pump out, you'll just get washer fluid coming out of that hole. Once the pump is out, you can get at the mesh filter - it just pulls out of that same hole - if it is covered in some slimy gunk, you may be able to get away with just cleaning that off, putting the filter back in, popping the pump back on and topping up again. Alternatively, you could do what I did...

There's one bolt holding the washer bottle in. Undo it, and you can lift the whole thing out.

Wash out all the residual slimy crap from the washer bottle (wire coathanger and a sponge is handy for the corners/edges), and clean the filter(s) thoroughly. Pop it back in the engine bay, put it all back together, fill up with whatever concentration of washer fluid you're using, and give the washer(s) a test. The headlamp ones will only 'fire' when the lights are on (and even then, only on every 3rd 'squirt').

All in, this took about 15 minutes. No problems since.

I hope this helps!

Dev
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed description there!

I'm tempted to give this a go if I can get away with just removing the washer bottle to gain access to the filters with one bolt. But im not sure I fancy removing the pump, lol

I'll have a look on Friday :)
 
If I remember correctly, the pump just pulls out - no screws, brackets or clips. No need to disconnect it from any hoses/cables. Easiest bit of the job! :)
 
Dev said:
If I remember correctly, the pump just pulls out - no screws, brackets or clips. No need to disconnect it from any hoses/cables. Easiest bit of the job! :)
Click to expand...
correct, on the e46 you have to remove wheel and liner so I did this only to find I got nowhere. Much easier on the z4


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Make sure there's no water in the washer reservoir (see last note)

Trace the wiring down the water tank side to the black coloured pump, twist it out and up, (you might bring the little filter out at the same time if your're lucky so mind it doesn't fall off into the engine bay/floor)

If not, flick a finger nail under the small black circular filter and lift it out ... take this away and clean it fully, (no blowing at it or wiping it on your jeans .. )

Once cleaned, reverse this guide and fill the reservoir !

If there's water in the reservoir when you take the filter out, it will piss all over your engine bay/floor ...
 
Dev said:
Hi Ivan,

I had a similar thing last winter, so this is still fairly fresh in my mind:

The washer bottle may have 2 pumps on it - one will be for the main windscreen washer jets, the other for the headlamp washers (only if you have them). Both will have filters.

Now comes the slightly tricky bit - if you have loads of fluid in the bottle, then you may have to siphon some out - at least below the level of the lowest pump - if you just take the pump out, you'll just get washer fluid coming out of that hole. Once the pump is out, you can get at the mesh filter - it just pulls out of that same hole - if it is covered in some slimy gunk, you may be able to get away with just cleaning that off, putting the filter back in, popping the pump back on and topping up again. Alternatively, you could do what I did...

There's one bolt holding the washer bottle in. Undo it, and you can lift the whole thing out.

Wash out all the residual slimy crap from the washer bottle (wire coathanger and a sponge is handy for the corners/edges), and clean the filter(s) thoroughly. Pop it back in the engine bay, put it all back together, fill up with whatever concentration of washer fluid you're using, and give the washer(s) a test. The headlamp ones will only 'fire' when the lights are on (and even then, only on every 3rd 'squirt').

All in, this took about 15 minutes. No problems since.

I hope this helps!

Dev
Click to expand...

Just wanted to say thanks for this! My water reservoir was full of horrible globs of gunk, so drained it with a syringe and followed your steps. Sorted!
 
Hi all,

The fluid on my car ran out and I thought it would be best to remove the reservoir to clean it and the filters at the same time.

I have put everything back in the car, filled the reservoir to about half way full and whilst I can hear the pumps working, no fluid is spraying. I have checked the fuses and all are fine.

Does anyone have any ideas on what the problem could be?

Many thanks,

Sharif
 
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