Washer bottle won't accept any liquid

L555BAT · 06-14-2022, 10:20 AM

I've had my car (F36 Gran Coupe) for a few months and 3k miles, yet despite me using the windscreen washers it doesn't appear to have used any washer fluid. Normally I'd be putting in 1-2 litres a month.

When I pour into the inlet tray (this one https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1215394), it just fills that little space and won't accept anymore. I've tried tilting the car in all four directions (by parking a different pair of wheels on a kerb), to no avail. Also tried sticking a 6 inch tube down the pipe and pushing fluid in with a syringe.

There's no way that the tank is still full with the use it's had. Pumped 300ml out just today, then just fill that little filler tray and it won't take anymore. The weird thing is that when the tray is full, and you operate the washers, the fluid level does drop.

It feels like there's some kind of separation between the filling side and the output side, or perhaps an airlock. The tank (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=61_2896) however looks quite simple and the pipe from the filler is short.

I'm quite at a loss as to what's happening here. The washers are working, no low level warning light, it looks to be full - but it can't possibly be.

SuperLomi · 06-14-2022, 10:32 AM

You could inspect closer by removing the fender liner, and try to see what's going on/visually inspect the fluid level.

Looking at pictures it appears there's a vent on the top of the reservoir. Possibly it's stuck/clogged so it wont allow air to escape when filling?

L555BAT · 06-14-2022, 03:45 PM

I'll try getting a fish tank hose down there to act as a vent. I might even have such a hose from 10 years ago when my E90 had tank problems when I bought it. Routine post-purchase issue for me it seems!

L555BAT · 08-27-2022, 10:46 AM

The vent hose didn't make any difference. Parking it upwards on a 45 degree slope however, I got in about 500ml.

6k miles done so far. Today it took in three inlet trays' worth of fluid, with each one taking about a minute to go in.

I asked my garage at service to check it out, they didn't bother and said they're slow to fill. Think I might just forget about it until the low level warning light comes on.

06-14-2022, 10:20 AM	#1
L555BAT Enlisted Member 10 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Washer bottle won't accept any liquid I've had my car (F36 Gran Coupe) for a few months and 3k miles, yet despite me using the windscreen washers it doesn't appear to have used any washer fluid. Normally I'd be putting in 1-2 litres a month. When I pour into the inlet tray (this one https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1215394), it just fills that little space and won't accept anymore. I've tried tilting the car in all four directions (by parking a different pair of wheels on a kerb), to no avail. Also tried sticking a 6 inch tube down the pipe and pushing fluid in with a syringe. There's no way that the tank is still full with the use it's had. Pumped 300ml out just today, then just fill that little filler tray and it won't take anymore. The weird thing is that when the tray is full, and you operate the washers, the fluid level does drop. It feels like there's some kind of separation between the filling side and the output side, or perhaps an airlock. The tank (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=61_2896) however looks quite simple and the pipe from the filler is short. I'm quite at a loss as to what's happening here. The washers are working, no low level warning light, it looks to be full - but it can't possibly be.
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06-14-2022, 10:32 AM	#2
SuperLomi First Lieutenant 204 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 2013 335i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	You could inspect closer by removing the fender liner, and try to see what's going on/visually inspect the fluid level. Looking at pictures it appears there's a vent on the top of the reservoir. Possibly it's stuck/clogged so it wont allow air to escape when filling?
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06-14-2022, 03:45 PM	#3
L555BAT Enlisted Member 10 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I'll try getting a fish tank hose down there to act as a vent. I might even have such a hose from 10 years ago when my E90 had tank problems when I bought it. Routine post-purchase issue for me it seems!
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08-27-2022, 10:46 AM	#4
L555BAT Enlisted Member 10 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The vent hose didn't make any difference. Parking it upwards on a 45 degree slope however, I got in about 500ml. 6k miles done so far. Today it took in three inlet trays' worth of fluid, with each one taking about a minute to go in. I asked my garage at service to check it out, they didn't bother and said they're slow to fill. Think I might just forget about it until the low level warning light comes on.
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