Windshield Washer Fluid mystery

[edco]

Greetings:
I seem to losing windshield washer fluid to the tune of about a tankful a month. I cant find any holes in the fluid tank/container or via visual inspection of the hoses.

Anyone have an answer to this mystery..?

Thanks
ED

[diyanich]

Do you have head light washers?

Originally Posted by edco

Greetings:
I seem to losing windshield washer fluid to the tune of about a tankful a month. I cant find any holes in the fluid tank/container or via visual inspection of the hoses.

Anyone have an answer to this mystery..?

Thanks
ED

[edco]

Originally Posted by diyanich

Do you have head light washers?

But of course... However, I don't drive that often and other than today's snowy day, there hasnt been a reason to use the washer button.

I've been doing a little research on E46fanatics. Apparently there is a gasket on the pump that can go bad. I have figured out where it is though.

Thanks for the reply
ED

[sfcl]

A common source of leak is the small o-rings where the fluid pumps are located in the container.

[Bimmer Ese]

Quite possible the main pump (not the rear windshield washer pump) is leaking. Mine was leaking out of the pump, not the rubber gasket that goes between the pump and tank. Replaced the pump and no more problems.

Good luck,
Daniel

[tecnica]

or you just use it more than you think

I thought the same thing myself. Its 7.8L if I recall. I said theres no way to using that in a such a short time. I checked for leaks, nothing. Then I had a buddy spray 'em when I was outside. It fires like crazy. You've got 6 jets on the front. I concluded saying 'oh well' as washer fluid is very cheap and I always have clean headlights.

I only wish the headlight sprayers were separate from the windshield, as I sometimes pull the lever multiple times to rid myself of the thick Minnesota ice

[gogz2005]

Originally Posted by tecnica

or you just use it more than you think

I thought the same thing myself. Its 7.8L if I recall. I said theres no way to using that in a such a short time. I checked for leaks, nothing. Then I had a buddy spray 'em when I was outside. It fires like crazy. You've got 6 jets on the front. I concluded saying 'oh well' as washer fluid is very cheap and I always have clean headlights.

I only wish the headlight sprayers were separate from the windshield, as I sometimes pull the lever multiple times to rid myself of the thick Minnesota ice

Yes the headlight sprayers are seperate. don't press the S Button but pull the lever toward you to just spray the window . good luck

[edco]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Ese

Quite possible the main pump (not the rear windshield washer pump) is leaking. Mine was leaking out of the pump, not the rubber gasket that goes between the pump and tank. Replaced the pump and no more problems.

Good luck,
Daniel

Yep.. that was the problem. Since mine is still under warranty it was fixed at no out of pocket. They replaced the main pump and screen. After looking at RealOEM, the parts came to about $50, so it would not have been an expensive job to do out of warranty, but in this weather, anything I can get done by someone else is a blessing.

Thanks for the feedback gang,

ED in NJ

[1stE53]

This is why I love BMW so much. If not an in warranty vehicle, you can change something like this yourself. I had a $.93 rubber seal go out on my E class's washer fluid tank. it is packed in so tight (which is kind of good) that the washer fluid drained out just in front of the rear passenger tire!!! The repair cost... $102! For a part that cost less than $1.
Thank you for keeping us posted on the results of your find!!!!

[jpnut]

Originally Posted by edco

Yep.. that was the problem. Since mine is still under warranty it was fixed at no out of pocket. They replaced the main pump and screen. After looking at RealOEM, the parts came to about $50, so it would not have been an expensive job to do out of warranty, but in this weather, anything I can get done by someone else is a blessing.

Thanks for the feedback gang,

ED in NJ

I had this issue last August,covered under CPO, still holding up today!