LEAKING REAR WASHER TUBE

grendawkin · #1 03-29-2009, 01:34 PM

The Tube which connects the water reservoir in the engine compartment with the washer jet on the Tailgate on my X3 has sprung a leak.
Water is now leaking from somewhere behind the carpet by the pedals and my feet.
Can anyone advise on the route the tube takes so I can fix the leak or maybe run a new bypass tube.
Be very grateful for any advice.
Many thanks.

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Goldstone · #2 03-29-2009, 11:32 PM

The rear washer tubing runs along the passenger side of the center console, as the tank is at the front passenger side.

I doubt it could leak by the driver pedals.

You sure it's not one of the front washers leaking through the firewall?

Don't know where the rear tubing starts to go up into the tailgate, but the tubing apparently looks like this:

RealOEM.com BMW E83 X3 3.0i SINGLE PARTS FOR REAR WINDOW CLEANING

Kingy · #3 03-30-2009, 02:57 AM

Our X3 has just had the same problem. Water in the driver side front and rear footwell.
The 'no water' warning came up on the dash so we filled the water resevoir up (in engine bay). Later that day the no water warning light was on again and the resevoir was empty again.
A quick check showed that the front jets worked fine but the rear jet didnt. No more than a trickle to rear jet despite having water in the resevoir.

The car was under warranty so we took it into BMW who confirmed that the pipe to the rear jet (shown in the link Goldstone added in last post) had come apart at some point between front console and the back of the car.
BMW had the car for two days to do the work as they needed to get the console and all of the trim and seats out to get to the pipework and check the whole length for the break. Getting the carpets out also speeded up drying them out as they were soaking.

HTH.

grendawkin · #4 03-30-2009, 05:10 AM

Many thanks for the help guys, looks as if I have the same problem as Kingy, same symptoms exactly.
Unfortunately my X3 is now out of warranty so I would have to pay for the repairs.
Two days labour at BMW rates does not bear thinking about so it looks as if I will need to come up with a different solution.
Maybe running a new tube bypassing the old one for the whole length of the car.
Thanks again for the help.
Gren

Goldstone · #5 03-30-2009, 12:01 PM

Ah, yes. On a RHD the washer tank and tubing will be on the driver side!
Makes access and drying off a bit more difficult.

Don't know why the tubing itself is obviously spec'd. to last a long time but the connectors are not, and why the connectors are not in an accessible place for inspection and repair.

Might be worth trying to see if there are some common factors with those that experience the failure. For example:

- year and month of vehicle production

- frequent or infrequent user of the rear washer

- rear jet showed signs of being clogged with dirt at the time

- plain water ever added to tank

- failure occurs during or soon after freezing temps.

Any other thoughts?

grendawkin · #6 03-31-2009, 05:49 AM

I have located the washer tubing underneath the Carpet by the drivers feet, I have also located the tubing underneath the rear seat squab, the leak is clearly between these two points which I can not access.
So I intend to cut the tubing at these two points a run a new lenght between them in the sill cavity to bypass the problem area.
Wish me luck !!
Thanks again.
Gren.

grendawkin · #7 04-01-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendawkin

I have located the washer tubing underneath the Carpet by the drivers feet, I have also located the tubing underneath the rear seat squab, the leak is clearly between these two points which I can not access.
So I intend to cut the tubing at these two points a run a new lenght between them in the sill cavity to bypass the problem area.
Wish me luck !!
Thanks again.
Gren.

It's worked!, 4 met of tubing, 2 line connectors and the job is done.

Total cost 7 GBP, better than 2 days of dealer charges.

Help from you guys put me on the right track, thanks again.

Gren.

Kingy · #8 04-02-2009, 02:13 AM

Well done with that Gren.

Had ours not been under warranty I'd have been looking at DIY solution aswell as I wouldn't like to think about how much 2 days in the dealer would cost out of my own pocket!

daeths · #9 04-02-2009, 04:36 PM

Gren, this is spooky. As of Monday, ours is doing exactly the same and we have a soggy drivers side footwell. Spoke to an Indie who said it is common for the pipe to disconnect itself from the join. Going to explore next weekend.

I believe you need to undo the panel under the dashboard (by your legs) and shrink your arms to get to it)

Does anyone on here have a schematic or a link to one so I can see where I should be aiming.

Cheers

Goldstone · #10 04-02-2009, 06:32 PM

Not that it has happened to my '04 X3 .... yet ....but I would still like to find to find out any common cause of the connector coming adrift.

Just guessing, but I can't see it happening on its own, unless it can work loose through foot pressure on the carpet.
(Maybe happens more frequently in the U.K. because of driver foot movement?)

If for any reason the rear jet becomes blocked, through dirt or icing up, then I can see a connector blowing out with the unfortunate consequences we now know about.

If that was main cause, then the recommendation should be:
if the rear washer does not work right away, do not keep trying - wait until the rear jet has been examined and cleared of any obstruction.

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