Washer Fluid Reservoir Leak
Car came up telling me I was low on washer fluid this morning. I had filled it up about a month ago and barely used any. I assume it’s leaking, but I don’t see any obvious signs of a leak like wet spots on the inside of the engine bay or puddles underneath. Apparently the prev. owner said that this was an issue before. Is this like a common issue or not really? And how would I figure out where it’s coming from, and what’s the best solution? Thanks for the help!
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It's really common for the washer pump grommets to leak. If you dry things up nicely around and under the pumps it should become obvious if there isn't already traces of color.
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Mine recently failed and dumped over a gallon of fluid. I pulled the pump out of the grommet and it game out with virtually zero resistance. I wrapped the pump with Teflon and will fill the reservoir to see if it holds. I may re-do the fix with some heat shrink tubing if I don't buy a new grommet/filter. Since there are three I'm more likely to patch with Teflon vs. replace I've done that in a few places on the two e53 we own.
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This has to be the 32nd post on this easy to solve problem. See postinghttps://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...s-leaking.html
Next Posting This is one topic has been posted over and over again. Simple solutions posted before are: purchase two aftermarket pumps motors, get the rubber gaskets with screens for all three pumps, pull the bucket out of the car after disconnecting the pumps from the washer reservoir, this will give you the room to disconnect the electrical connectors and the hose lines. Take the bucket into your sink area and clean out all the junk in the bottom. Then replace all the seals, pumps and re install. Leave the headlamp pump alone and in the car. The pumps are high failure items as they leak internally and as mentioned the seals dry out and leak. If you follow this path your repairs will be a one stop to solve all your issues. Note: if you are missing the filter screen little insert at the fill area of your reservoir, buy one now or you will have pressure leaks in the future now that you sealed all the other leaks. The fill screen allows the bucket to vent properly or you can drill a hole in the top of cap. Your car your choice. Link to ECS to see all that are your choices on parts as you maybe missing a few items due to tech abuse and previous owner neglect. https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E53-X5...Washer_System/ |
I also thought the pump and o-rings where the problem until I replaced the entire assembly (pump, seals and filter screen) and it still leaked out. After that I really watched it and found the leak turned out to be the small hose that connected to the pumps. It is a tight fit but had to trim off a few inches of the tube running into the firewall before the leak stopped.
But this is only 1 of our 3 e53s that have had that issue. So I don't know that I myself would call this a common problem. But it appears StephenVA has better numbers on that. |
So after pulling mine out the pump on the inside by itself appears to be blocked off. Why would this be/which set of washers does this connect to? It also has a wider shank than the other two pumps
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Aghh... Mine is used for chemical cooling. It’s modified, but it still functions as a window washing reservoir. I would not be happy if I dumped two gallons of boost juice. Thanks for the info. |
The larger pump is for the headlight washers.
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Cheapest fix for the venting at the cap is to drill a hole. That's what I discovered I had to do after I replaced my reservoir cap and it fit tighter than the original. The air in the tank would heat up and expand and push the fluid out through the windshield nozzles. Annoying.
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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. |
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... |
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) |
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Thanks for the heads up! [emoji106] 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. |
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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.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...77d110aeb2.jpg At least I only lost 1 gallon of methanol. |
Seal is probably not happy with meth
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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. |
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.
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Make sure you always have that top fill filter (Strainer) as it allows the top flap to vent, preventing the bucket from complete sealing, which causes pressure to build as the washer fluid heats up. Not a big deal in northern climates but a big issue in AZ/NZ/AF/etc. People have been drilling holes in the flap for years. Some of these models/countries have the filter others do not.:dunno: BMW cheaping out? Gee what's it cost over all X5 models, $.03?
Image below is upside down when installed in the neck of the reservoir. |
In hot climates like UAE, the fluid will evaporate through the hole faster than consumption. I suggested putting a balloon over the hole to deal with expansion but it's a little more complicated as you would want a way to let air in when you use the sprayer. Prob just putting the balloon on when it's 70f at night would be enough.
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Irony for me is that my headlight washers don't work: either pump is broken or it's coded out. The fact that that was the pump that poured out my entire container was a bit ironic |
I unplugged mine as every 5th wipe/ wash on the windshield triggers the headlamp washers. When they fire off 1/2 gal of fluid sprays the entire front of the hood, lamps, bumper, etc with washer fluid that drys in the summer and will leave such a mess that requires washing, claying, and a layer of wax to get rid of the water stains.
If I drove it in the snow I might leave it but mine sits in the garage with a cover if it even looks like the salt truck would venture out. |
I think PO of my car coded out the headlight sprayer for the same reasons. I guess the idea is off you are using the washer spray the cat is likely already covered with spray from the cars driving with you but plenty of times you just have a little dust you want to clean off and it's a sunny dry day.
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I was sitting in traffic one day and tried to clean off the one and only bug splat, which as always is in my line of vision. Why is that a thing with suicidal bugs? 5 hits with the wiper/washer and the headlamps sprayed 1/2 gal of washer fluid all over the front of the car. 30 mins of washing got the crap off. Thought I cracked a coolant line or the Rad at first. I hosed down the cars on my left and right at the same time. LOTS of dirty looks. :)
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Reminds me of the first time I noticed the cascade effect of washing my window on the freeway on a sunny day then noticing the car behind me needing to clean my spray off his window then the guy behind him. Etc. I've witnessed four cars. It's a little hard to tell more than that but it's funny |
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Coded would be the "proper" way but I think they all are on the same fuse so unplug is the simple way
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So I’m just playing around with disabling the headlight washers and for some reason I cannot get NCSExpert to work... I read that it should be possible to disable it in BMW Scanner 1.4 as well, but I cannot find it. Anybody have experience with that? Under which module should it be?
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