New hopefully minor issue washer jets....

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:57 pm

Seem to be blocked the smallest dribble is visible at the jet nozzle, pump is fine.

Another long term "parked car" issue I suspect. Only use BMW fluid but its not been used in over six months, hopefully its just blocked somewhere (where?) anyone any pointers where to start.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 7:11 pm

Are the arms extending out? They’re powered by the water pressure (against a spring) from the pump so could be a blocked filter? If memory serves it’s where the pump is located. On mine that’s within the offside wheel arch.

It may be a case of running them a few times and see if it washes through. You can carefully ease the jet nozzle out, I had to do the same on the E46 when they froze shut and the pump created enough force the break the trim covers clean off! Worth a try - you need a thin plastic trim wedge.

The BMW fluid contains alcohol and that evaporates allowing gunge to develop in the tank. A higher percentage fluid/water mix may be needed due to having the car idle for 6 months.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 7:24 pm

The jets have arms that extend? I'll have to have a thorough look and maybe run the pump constantly for a few seconds rather than a quick flick of the stalk.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 8:58 pm

Headlight washers? - are you having trouble with those or the windscreen? I mistakenly assumed ‘jets’ as the headlights as the windscreen ones are less powerful. Trying to solve the wrong issue

The issue could still be filters.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 9:12 pm

Headlamps AFAIK, are OK there's water spray traces on the headlamps

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 6:45 pm

I couldn't sort this problem much to my frustration. Water is reaching the windscreen jets but there no oomph.

As I have a very painful lower back issue at the moment I'll be obliged to visit a dealership sharpish, MOT is due end of the month.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 7:24 pm

Spherical objects! That reminds me, mine is also due at the end of the month.

If you can detach them and then try a squirt, it may clear the line…image below..

: 93CF00CE-24E8-449D-A312-0AD05C425931.jpeg (60.08 KiB) Viewed 1468 times

Adjustment (if needed is as below…

: 73C6B99B-AD2E-4BE0-BA07-DB6C49F31C69.jpeg (74.28 KiB) Viewed 1467 times

Wayfarer · Post by **Wayfarer** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:46 pm

Had a similar issue with mine albeit an f15, tried a few times and one nozzle was just a dribble, so after a few attempts of washing screen, wiped my finger over the nozzle a few times and it started working and it’s been fine ever since.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 1:09 pm

Wayfarer wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:46 pm Had a similar issue with mine albeit an f15, tried a few times and one nozzle was just a dribble, so after a few attempts of washing screen, wiped my finger over the nozzle a few times and it started working and it’s been fine ever since.

Tried that at the start, no luck. Have booked it at the dealers to be done just before the MOT.Been warned its a wing off job with a set cost of £300

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 5:54 pm

Ouch! That’s why I hate them for putting things in the wheel arches! Might be easy for ‘build’ but it’s a nightmare for ‘maintain’.

Wayfarer · Post by **Wayfarer** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 5:59 pm

sapphireblack wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 1:09 pm
Wayfarer wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:46 pm Had a similar issue with mine albeit an f15, tried a few times and one nozzle was just a dribble, so after a few attempts of washing screen, wiped my finger over the nozzle a few times and it started working and it’s been fine ever since.

Tried that at the start, no luck. Have booked it at the dealers to be done just before the MOT.Been warned its a wing off job with a set cost of £300

Ouch!! Looks like I had a lucky escape, must make sure I use mine more often

simontaxi · Post by **simontaxi** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 6:57 pm

Hi take pipe off bottom of washer jet under bonnet and put air line on pipe and give it 5 blasts of air job done! This will blow crap off filter done mine a few times now always works .As said washer bottle clogged up .

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 7:27 pm

It was sorted today, wheel off, arch liner out and various other bits such as I could see through the workshop window. Two plus hours of work and I have a souvenir of blue gunge that looks like latex. Parts on the bill shows 9x plastic rivets, i assume the arch liner or maybe the wing trim? I'll look in daylight tomoro. Including a full price MOT, £381

Techie was telling me that yes the bottle is in a stupid place but computer design evens out the overall vehicle weight and that has decreed the bottles location and its shape. I preferred the regular shaped bottles, all accessible under the bonnet. Hidden where it is assumed it never needs to be accessed is crazy imo. To be fair my 2005 Touareg has the same setup, its hidden in almost the exact same place. Modern tech can often be frustrating, also known as expensive.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 7:59 pm

simontaxi wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 6:57 pm Hi take pipe off bottom of washer jet under bonnet and put air line on pipe and give it 5 blasts of air job done! This will blow crap off filter done mine a few times now always works .As said washer bottle clogged up .

I can't see that working in my scenario, the latex like substance was congealed around the filter. If it hadn't been removed it would simply happen again, but regardless its sorted now, at a price.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 8:16 pm

Glad it’s sorted, but Ouch!

What often happens is bacterial growth once the ethanol (or IPA or whatever it is that BMW use) evaporates. If you’re going to store it for 6 months, it might be worth upping the ratio of screen wash significantly before you go. I had it a few times on my E53 and it stopped as soon as I went back to genuine BMW fluid (which you have anyway).

I’ve seen warnings about cars using E10 petrol having a problem if fuel is left unused as it can lead to corrosion in steel fuel tanks and lines.

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