Windscreen Washer Nozzles leak
 

I have tried searching and searching to no avail. Have replaced all 3 pumps twice since bought 7 years ago. Most recent set last fall. Current problem is baffling me. I've run through many bottles of washer fluid. Checked tank and everything else under the hood for leaks and nothing. After a grocery run could hear the liquid being converted to steam and found fluid pouring out of nozzles in front of windscreen. Tired of seeing a check control message on dash and a dirty windscreen that I can't clean.

Thanks,

Scott

ps-trying to fix this once and for all while replacing my first window regulator-yipee!

I have the SAME problem! Been driving me crazy for awhile now. I've replaced all three of the washer pumps and seals and it still does it. It'll go along fine for awhile, then all of a sudden the warning light comes on and the tank is empty. I have an upcoming warranty trip to the dealer and it's on the hit list.

Last time I was in there, the service writer mentioned that the check valves can go bad the fluid can siphon out of the nozzles. That might make sense as ONE TIME I did see some excess fluid underneath the nozzles under the cowl. Hopefully someone with prior experience will chime in.

Thank you!
Failed check valve(s) make perfect sense I just had no idea there were check valves in the nozzle connectors. More stuff to order now.

One of my headlight washers seems to dribble a little on startup - there's a tell-tale dribble of water down the bumper most days. Looking on RealOEM, I can't see any check valves that are separate from the nozzle on any of the front washer systems but I see there is a valve on the rear washer line, just before the rear nozzle. Hmmm...

The check valve on the headlight washers went on mine, but it left a puddle under the car so I knew that was it. required bumper removal.

They call it a "distribution piece" - item #4 in the diagram below
RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

Here is the link to the thread on it:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-resolved.html

I removed the headlight washer pump and plugged the tank hole for awhile and still lost fluid, so for me, that isn't the issue. It's really weird because aside from the one time that I noticed the fluid under the windshield washer jets, I've never seen a puddle under the car. The fluid just disappears!

I've wondered if heat from the exhaust header on that side is causing the fluid to boil out somehow. Perhaps a heat shield between the tank and header would solve the problem?

My search has turned up nothing in the way of check valves in the windscreen line. Doubt there is a built in check on the t-connector. Maybe in the actual nozzle assembly but I hate to throw more parts at it. About to hit 100k so I know there's a bit of money headed her way soon. I'll try forcing liquid or air the opposite way to see if maybe something's just stuck. Thanks guys.

David have you checked your tank for leaks as well?

I've checked my tank in that I've looked (and felt) to see if it had any wet spots, and I haven't found any. What makes it difficult is that the problem is very random. It might go for hours or days, or weeks before acting up.

I will say that since my last visit to the dealership, it doesn't seem to be leaking out, BUT I sometimes have to hold the washer lever on for awhile before it starts to squirt. I can hear the motor running the whole time, so it's not that. I also get a low fluid warning when the tank is only half empty, so I suppose the float is going bad.

It's one of those things that isn't the end of the world, but man it's annoying!

Okay just ran an experiment. Disconnected nozzles 1 at a time and blew/sucked through flex straw held at attachment point (very scientific). Passenger side the air moved pretty freely but driver side did not. Must mean check valve is inside of nozzle assembly and passenger side has failed. Makes sense as that was the more noticeable leak but it's also upstream of the other one. I will replace nozzle (and 2 clips I snapped in the process) and update.

Ended up replacing both nozzles. Works like a charm. Nice not having a message on the instrument panel.

Thanks for the follow-up! Good timing too as mine has been fine up until this past week when the fluid pulled a disappearing act again.

I checked the tank after driving home from work one night and the tank was under pressure (the cap "popped" when I took it off). This proved my theory that heat from the engine is pressurizing the tank. If the check valves go bad, this would explain why fluid would leak out of the jets when the engine is hot. I have also determined that the reason why the problem is somewhat random (and why the dealer couldn't replicate the problem after filling the tank up and "watching" it while it was in the shop) is because when the tank is full, there isn't much air to heat and therefore expand and push the fluid out. As the washers are used and the tank empties, more air is in the tank, expands when heated, and reaches a point where it can start pushing fluid out of the nozzles. I've also been wondering if a small (1/16") hole drilled in the cap would release the pressure and help the situation. Of course, I'm sure BMW engineers would have added that to the design if it were necessary :rolleyes:.

My cap DOES have a small pressure relief hole in the centre - I thought they all did.

There's evidence of fluid being forced from this vent (dry detergent) but I've never seen it actually wet. And I do get the occasional few spots of fluid on the bumper, under the splitter in the bumper. Not always and only a small amount.... A job on the list. ;)

Well, I drilled a 5/64" hole in the center of my tank cap and filled the tank. Let's see if the fluid pulls another disappearing act now...

If you washer tank is building up pressure you are missing this screen.

Yep - it's missing in mine.

The screen holds up the cap, breaks the seal, and allows air in/out. I think every dealer tech popped open the cap to refill the reservoir and out and down to the skid plate went the screen. Nobody is hunting down that one. :dunno:

That leads to us owners to discover all the fun stuff that happens with a few things just not there and no signs that it ever was there 10 years ago....
For example:
Illuminated lighter socket rings
Door puddle lights
Door interior latch handle lights (What light?)
Cover cap to the positive jump start point under the hood (snap.. oh, well...)
Pull handle for the spare tire.

Someone opens up the door panels to fix whatever and never reinstalled them. Happens all the time.

Funny you should mention the door handle light - I have that "problem" on my drivers door - the dealer fixed something in the door (before I got the car) and the LED is now dangling down inside the panel somewhere... Sheesh...

Last time they serviced the car (first time for my ownership - and the last) they broke three clips on the cabin filter cover and lost one of the acoustic cover hex bolts down under the engine - which I found when doing my own maint. later on. :rolleyes:

It's so sad that everyone has these dealer stories... :(

Uh, what screen? :doh:

Huh, don't know that I remember that being there. I suppose that holds the cap up off the tank enough to allow air in.

Turns out this filter is deleted on some models - here's the fiche image for my car...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psztbwjaec.jpg

I am not certain that is actually correct or not based on actually US assembled units. If I had to be a gambling man I would bet on someone in the bean counter office having a conversation with production about "what items can be de-contented without warranty impacts to reduce costs?" :rofl: Results>Some of the 3.0 strip models went out the door with the screen deleted.

Meanwhile 10 years later: I would just "upgrade your X5"!

I found my screen rolling around on the inside of the tank. The warranty repair paper work showed three service attempts to solve a "fluid low light" issue. Dealer solution: No Problem Found (NPF), sell customer 1 gal of washer fluid. 30 days later the owner was back again with the same issue. Shop sold another gal. When i purchased my X5, the small pump seals were leaking fluid. Solution replace pumps and install new filter seals. Problem resolved.

Well, it's been 10 days since I drilled the pressure relief hole in my tank cap and so far it's been working perfectly. Washers work every time I pull back the stalk, and so far, no fluid disappearing act...