Washer Fluid Reservoir Leak

[StephenVA]

Here you go: When your Washer Fluid Reservoir begins to leak on the garage floor.
Quick visual inspection will tell you which pump is the leaker: Fluid stains and the level where the fluid stops leaking. Pumps leak at the seal to the reservoir and they leak internally as their guts wear out. Cheapo ones have a short life, OE or OE aftermarket last years. Lines break as age and owner/tech abuse take their toll. Mine own X5 had three sets of pumps installed under warranty. Still leaked as they never replace the cracked seal for the windshield pump. You think someone would have noticed but their are positioned against the firewall, so without a mirror and a flashlight....

Instructions:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...mp_Testing.htm

X5 pumps
two small ones - Front and rear windows - Image #4 PN 67128362154
Big guy - headlamp washers if equipped (Blocked if NO) - Image #11

Once again
Loosen bucket,Pull pumps, remove and wash and clean bucket with 1/4 cup ammonia to 1 gal water, scrub housing with Comet, rinse with Dawn Dish Detergent.
Replace BOTH small pumps with OE aftermarket pumps. Washer Pump PN
67128377612 https://www.ecstuning.com/b-continen...128377612~vdo/

Replace two small pump seals: Washer Pump Strainer & Gasket PN61667006063
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/61667006063/
Replace LARGE pump seal with PN61 67 8 374 382

Alignment tool for nozzles: Washer Nozzle Adjuster Tool https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto...r/wnatool~bav/

Double check your hood nozzles to ensure they flow cleanly, right pattern, and are heating otherwise they freeze in the cold and crack.

Install if missing Washer Fluid Bottle Strainer PN61661365848
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/61661365848/
This part stops the pressure build up and having to drill a hole in the cap, which in turn will leak/sweat every time you go around a corner.

TIP: Mark each connector as your remove it as having the rear washer go off every time you want the windshield washed gets old real quick.

DO NOT break the plastic tubing, Twist to release the pumps to the lines. If COLD outside, heat first.

[Happy]

Thank you for the above post! I came out this morning and saw a puddle underneath the X5. I dismissed it as water from washing the exterior. Later on in the day I went to fire her up, and warnings on the dash, and methanol injection system.

I already knew in that moment. LoL...

[StephenVA]

Are these pumps common in BMWs and have a failure rate?
You bet and they fit the really high end cars! See bottom of list

(01/01/2003 — 12/14/2006)
Part 67128362154 was found on the following vehicles:
1' E81   (02/2006 — 12/2011)
1' E87   (02/2003 — 02/2007)
1' E87 LCI   (01/2006 — 06/2011)
3' E36   (11/1989 — 08/2000)
3' E46   (04/1997 — 12/2018)
3' E91   (02/2004 — 08/2008)
3' E91 LCI   (07/2007 — 05/2012)
5' E39   (02/1995 — 12/2003)
5' E60   (12/2001 — 06/2007)
5' E61   (10/2002 — 02/2007)
5' E61 LCI   (11/2005 — 05/2010)
5' F11   (01/2009 — 06/2013)
5' F11 LCI   (08/2012 — 02/2017)
7' E38   (07/1993 — 07/2001)
7' E65   (02/2000 — 07/2008)
7' E66   (06/2000 — 07/2008)
7' E67   (10/2002 — 06/2008)
X3 E83   (01/2003 — 07/2006)
X3 E83 LCI   (02/2006 — 08/2010)
X3 F25   (06/2009 — 08/2017)
X4 F26   (05/2013 — 03/2018)
X5 E53   (10/1998 — 09/2006)
Z3 E36   (12/1994 — 06/2002)
Z4 E85   (01/2002 — 08/2008)
Z4 E86   (10/2005 — 08/2008)
Z8 E52   (12/1998 — 07/2003)
Phantom RR1   (07/2002 — 04/2012)
Phantom RR1 Series II   (08/2011 — 12/2016)
Phantom Drophead   (03/2006 — 04/2012)
Phantom Drophead Series II   (09/2011 — 12/2016)
Phantom Coupé   (05/2007 — 03/2012)
Phantom Coupé Series II   (09/2011 — 12/2016)
C1   (10/1999 — 04/2003)

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by Happy

Thank you for the above post! I came out this morning and saw a puddle underneath the X5. I dismissed it as water from washing the exterior. Later on in the day I went to fire her up, and warnings on the dash, and methanol injection system.

I already knew in that moment. LoL...

Yep way too common failure. Careful of the plastic nuts holding down the reservoir. They only need to be snug. Torque 'em and they crack.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Yep way too common failure. Careful of the plastic nuts holding down the reservoir. They only need to be snug. Torque 'em and they crack.

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like I6 owners have a bit more room to work with, versus V8 owners as well. I won’t be able to completely remove mine because of the methanol injection mods to the reservoir. I don’t want to open a can of worms, if you know what I mean. Thank goodness the reservoir is easily accessible. That is not the case for some other BMWs.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Happy

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like I6 owners have a bit more room to work with, versus V8 owners as well. I won’t be able to completely remove mine because of the methanol injection mods to the reservoir. I don’t want to open a can of worms, if you know what I mean. Thank goodness the reservoir is easily accessible. That is not the case for some other BMWs.

Truth. E60/61 requires removal of wheel, fenderer liner, and if wanting "easy" access, the front bumper as well. Which reminds me, my washer tank leaks on the wagon.

[Happy]

Well here’s my culprit. I put my finger over the side connection point, and blew air through the bottom one, and sure enough air came out through the square opening.



At least I only lost 1 gallon of methanol.

[StephenVA]

Seal is probably not happy with meth

[Happy]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Seal is probably not happy with meth

Yeah I agree. The pump was still super snug in the grommet.

I purchased 2 VDO pumps from FCP Euro for $13 bucks a piece. Even though the grommets were still tight, I am going replace them with new genuine replacements. I do not want to risk a chemical cooling failure.

[dazzasgotav8]

when i had my leak it turned out to be where the black and clear sections of the bottle are joint so was leaking when the fluid was being sloshed around in driving , from my experience i was amazed how dirty the pump filters where but my bottle was missing the filler filter.