Wiper Sprayer Problem
 

I searched but couldn't find anything related.

For a while now my X has an intermittent sprayer for the front and rear wiper (actually all three). It doesn't matter if I pull the stalk or push the high pressure spray button it won't work. Typically it works once or twice when I first start the truck but then dies and only the wipers work. Occasionally I spray it and a little squirt will come out then you just hear the pumps screaming and nothing.

I replaced all three pumps and grommets/filters and checked for leaks. I keep the headlight washer pump disconnected because the line leaks somewhere and I've been to lazy to fix it but both of the regular pumps work (you can hear them trying to spray) except nothing comes out or leaks anywhere.

Any ideas?

Pull the hose line off the pumps and see if they flow any thing. If yes then the issue is down stream. Junk in hoses, blockage at the nozzles, etc. After you pull off the hoses at the pumps, try back flowing the lines from the nozzle ends. LOW pressure only, do not want to explode a hose some where. The other trick is to insert a sewing needle into the Nozzle tips to clean the crap that builds up. Smaller is better. Let us know what the out comes are.:popcorn:

Nozzles are clean and your theory makes sense but why does it work perfectly fine the first few times I try it or if I give the sprayers a break for a while and try again. Wouldn't crud in the lines obstruct flow all the time?

No, I think it pulls back from the ends as the pressure drops off. Then slams back up as soon as you turn one of the pumps. So it will flow for a few secs then drop off. I cleaned my tank when I got it as there was "Things" floating in mine. Must have been some low ph stuff in there to allow growth!
Just un bolt the damn whole reservoir and put it the sink. Mix up some 1/2 cup of bleach to 1 gal water and flush it out. Scrub the exterior and reinstall if you see anything swimming.
Once crap gets into the lines, the only way out is to remove the hoses at the nozzles and blow them clean. Then do the same for the nozzles themselves.
This used to be a big issue years ago due to people using water in hot climates. Not real bright as soon you have sea monkeys swimming in that brackish water.
Helpful?

When you pull the hoses be aware everything is plastic.

There's a screen that gets clogged up. Same thing happen to mine. I just replace the screen and its working.

Pull the pump out of the grommet/rubber. Pull out the rubber/grommet with the screen afterward.

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/234783_x800.jpg

Same thing happened to me. Replaced pumps and filters to no success. Hoses and nozzels were clear.

It took me awhile to figure it out because they would work while I was trouble shooting, then not while driving down the road. For whatever reason with my washer res cap closed, the pumps wouldn't work, but with it open, they would. Maybe has to do with suction? But then why all of a sudden? I don't know, but I poked a hole in the cap with a small pick and I haven't had any issues since.

I'll check it out this weekend Stephen.

Its so crazy because mine was working perfect without a cap for a while and now its back to not working. I'm going to swap the screens today with screens that I cut the bottom off to see if it makes any difference. My AFE also causes enough heat that the tank actually swells up and builds up enough pressure that it looks as if its going to pop/got deformed. :dunno:

Definitely an annoying issue

Question on the tank itself, Do you have the main screen under your filler caps? Most are thrown away by techs who pop open the reservoir and loose it under the vehicle somewhere...
This allows a "loose" seal under the filler cap and the body of the reservoir tank. It just drops in to the neck area allowing the cap to "float". Just a thought, never seen a washer fluid tank expand before. Boiling? Pre heated fliud? ;)

Screen PN 61661365848

I don't have that screen. Maybe that is the problem. I thought it was weird that I couldn't find a vent anywhere on the tank.

The metal shield from the AFE is what caused the swelling. It keeps heat cornered right where the tank is. That's my opinion as I can't see any other way for it to swell the way it does.
I also don't have that screen anymore but I can't see how that could cause my problem. Maybe I need to source that as well.

Also find it weird. I poked holes in my cap as well (I'm also on my fourth cap because they fall into the splash pan every other time I try to add fluid :yawn::yawn::yawn:

You have to tether that little bastard better!

I think that filter keeps the cap from sitting flush on the res opening, thus allowing the res to vent.

That's my guess since poking a hole for venting solved the issue and I don't have/didn't know about the filter. I got the hole idea from my E30s res (just a hole in the middle of the cap).

:thumbup:

:iagree:

Mine were full of solid material when I picked up my X5. Plus the seals were poor shape and leaking from all the pressure looking for a way out. I just removed the whole assembly to clean and replaced everything attached. My little filler neck filter was missing also.

The OO took the X5 under warranty back to the dealer 4 times for the leakage. The techs report NBF (no problem found) and banged him for 1 gal of windshield solvent fluid each time. That big tank is a PITA to see what is going on and where the leaks are. This is not a big problem it just comes up every winter as one needs washer fluid every 30 seconds when driving on these salted roads.