Windshield Washer System

04X3 · #1 03-29-2011, 04:24 PM

So recently I found out that my rear windshield wiper washer didn't work. It seemed like it was blocked (which makes sense, since I have never used it since I didn't know it existed until a few days ago). I tried to spray fluid from the rear washer once yesterday to show my dad it was blocked so we could fix it. Now, the windshield washer reservoir seems to be leaking from somewhere. I filled it up 3 days ago and now its dry. There seem to be no leaks in the car but I haven't been in it long. What happened, and is it cheap to fix? Taking the car to the dealer for a small list of repairs, should I mention this or is it an easy fix myself?

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JCL · #2 03-29-2011, 05:35 PM

Assume it is the same as the X5. If so, there is one reservoir, and two pumps mounted on the bottom of the reservoir. Same pumps, one for front and one for rear. You can get a leak where the pumps clip in to the reservoir, or from the pump itself. If a pump wasn't working, you tried to use it, and then it leaked, it sounds like the pump itself. If a pump isn't working, it is easy to replace. You can test if it is the pump or not by swapping the wires on the pumps, and see if it works then. That will help isolate if it is the switch, the pump, or the plumbing from the pump to the nozzle.

x3oiler · #3 03-29-2011, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

Assume it is the same as the X5. If so, there is one reservoir, and two pumps mounted on the bottom of the reservoir. Same pumps, one for front and one for rear. You can get a leak where the pumps clip in to the reservoir, or from the pump itself. If a pump wasn't working, you tried to use it, and then it leaked, it sounds like the pump itself. If a pump isn't working, it is easy to replace. You can test if it is the pump or not by swapping the wires on the pumps, and see if it works then. That will help isolate if it is the switch, the pump, or the plumbing from the pump to the nozzle.

I also found that using the BMW washer fluid I had a nice green slime buildup around the filter leading to the pumps. I had to a do a complete dis-assembly to remove the slime and clean the tank thus destroying a promising civilisation I thought at the time. ie use a torch and check the bottom of the tank ;-)

Yii · #4 03-29-2011, 11:04 PM

Any tips on taking the things apart to get to the pumps? one of my pumps seems to actually be leaking =/ both of them works but i can actually see the fluid coming out of one of the pumps =/ i can either replace it or change the O ring? i have no idea if that is even right?

x3oiler · #5 03-29-2011, 11:08 PM

They are a push fit on mine. I removed the entire container from the first though so I could see what I was doing.

Yii · #6 03-29-2011, 11:14 PM

Do i need to empty anything?

x3oiler · #7 03-30-2011, 06:26 AM

to remove the container - not necessarily. You need to carefully unplug the electrics and the tubes. You will get some leakage at that point.

04X3 · #8 03-30-2011, 05:10 PM

Alright,
I filled it up with a bit of water last night. Interestingly enough, after being driven about 20 miles today, the service engine soon light that randomly came on is now gone and the water is still in the tank. I'm thinking it's a loose pipe.

04X3 · #9 04-09-2011, 05:17 PM

Just thought I'd let you guys know what happened.

They quoted me 1500 to fix the leak and rear washer, and they said that they found fluid leaking in the back of the car from a pipe. They pulled up the carpet and used a wet vac to dry it up (now there is no slight musty smell like there was before). I told them to simply disconnect the pump from the tank to disable the rear windshield wiper and stop the leak that way. So they unplugged the rear washer pump behind the tank for free and now I have a non-leaking, fully working windshield washer tank with the front washer still working

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