Washer jets limp

A15X · 09-16-2018, 06:37 AM

Hi all,

Tried to use my windscreen washers yesterday and they seemed a little limp thought oh must be running out, filled them up while washing the car and they still the same...can hear the motor working but the water is just dribbling out!

Any ideas what could be the issue?

JustChris · 09-16-2018, 06:38 AM

Washer jet pump on the way out. Could be a clogged nozzle but unlikely to be all of them.

Steces · 09-16-2018, 06:50 AM

Do you use screenwash?

If so I'd go for the filter in the bottle being clagged up

A15X · 09-16-2018, 07:31 AM

Yeah I use screen wash have done on many cars over the years but never had this!

I’m guessing it isn’t very easy to unblock?

Steces · 09-16-2018, 08:34 AM

I had the exact same thing on an E46 years ago

It happened at approx the 4y mark and I was really impressed how simple it was to get the reservoir out and clean the gunk out of the filter

Having said that I'm sure I read here that the F30 is not so simple

willjames · 09-16-2018, 02:37 PM

I only use the BMW washer fluid to avoid clogging. It's pretty cheap from Amazon or eBay.

ukbeemerboy · 09-16-2018, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willjames

I only use the BMW washer fluid to avoid clogging. It's pretty cheap from Amazon or eBay.

This....

If you mix washer fluids, they react and this causes the gloopy gel that blocks the filters and pumps.

Quantox · 09-16-2018, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A15X

Hi all,

Tried to use my windscreen washers yesterday and they seemed a little limp thought oh must be running out, filled them up while washing the car and they still the same...can hear the motor working but the water is just dribbling out!

Any ideas what could be the issue?

Feed it one of those little blue pills. That should sort it out.

Q

teaston · 09-16-2018, 02:51 PM

Yep there’s a mesh that collects any debris before leaving the washer bottle which gets clogged with goop from mixing different types of washer fluid.

I cleared mine by filling it with boiling water, drive round the block to swish it about, then pull the pipe off the jets and pump it through.

jav_ski · 09-16-2018, 03:06 PM

Would suggest what Teaston did before you try and pull the bottle - I have done it and it's an absolute b*itch to get out of the f30 hidden behind the drivers side wing right near the door. So you have take off the wheel the arch cover and then try and get it out (clipped in) not the easiest without a lift. I had my mechanic mate do it and it still took him
An hour to do.

Richard52 · 09-16-2018, 04:06 PM

Had the same problem , hot water cured it for me.

A15X · 09-16-2018, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the feedback all, is it worth running the water out as much as possible then fill with boiling water?

Richard52 · 09-17-2018, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A15X

Thanks for the feedback all, is it worth running the water out as much as possible then fill with boiling water?

Of course , try the cheapest fix first. I'd use very hot rather than boiling water though . Once you fixed it stick to BMW fluids

perryo91 · 09-17-2018, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard52

Of course , try the cheapest fix first. I'd use very hot rather than boiling water though . Once you fixed it stick to BMW fluids

So what's the procedure for this? Run the pump until you're out of fluid, then full with hot water, then run again, then you're good? Do I need to unplug the nozzles for faster flow or anything.

Alscoob · 09-17-2018, 09:12 AM

Never ever used BMW washer fluid and never had a problem with blockage or faulty washer jets. As long as you use a good make and be consistent it should be OK.

goodbyalfa · 09-17-2018, 09:16 AM

Had this problem last christmas. Bloody thing blocked up despite me only ever using bmw screen wash.
Car was under 3 years old but not covered under Warranty. Twats. Cost me around £120 for bmw bury to strip it and clean out. 90 minutes later, back on the road.
It's a completely shit design.

A15X · 09-17-2018, 10:32 AM

Well...I gave the empty washer fluid then top back up with boiling water and hasn’t work! Took around half an hour to empty the tank (me being a twat for filling it up yesterday) think I’m going to book it in for sorting!

goodbyalfa · 09-17-2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A15X

Well...I gave the empty washer fluid then top back up with boiling water and hasn’t work! Took around half an hour to empty the tank (me being a twat for filling it up yesterday) think I’m going to book it in for sorting!

Get the lube out ready...

A15X · 09-17-2018, 03:03 PM

It’s under warranty so going to take my chances!

t5pilot · 09-18-2018, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A15X

It’s under warranty so going to take my chances!

Search my posts from a couple of years back, there's a full guide for doing this.

They won't do it under warranty, it's blocked, not faulty, so will cost... lots!

goodbyalfa · 09-18-2018, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Quote:

Originally Posted by A15X

It's under warranty so going to take my chances!

Search my posts from a couple of years back, there's a full guide for doing this.

They won't do it under warranty, it's blocked, not faulty, so will cost... lots!

Around £120 was what I paid...

t5pilot · 09-18-2018, 04:42 PM

Here you go...

Windscreen washer not working https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1448561

09-16-2018, 06:37 AM	#1
A15X Lieutenant 126 Rep 458 Posts Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hertfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	Washer jets limp Hi all, Tried to use my windscreen washers yesterday and they seemed a little limp thought oh must be running out, filled them up while washing the car and they still the same...can hear the motor working but the water is just dribbling out! Any ideas what could be the issue?
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09-16-2018, 06:38 AM	#2
JustChris General 17486 Rep 25,112 Posts Drives: Tesla MYRWD Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Washer jet pump on the way out. Could be a clogged nozzle but unlikely to be all of them. __________________ My car made front page of Bimmerpost
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09-16-2018, 06:50 AM	#3
Steces First Lieutenant 95 Rep 326 Posts Drives: G31 530d Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Do you use screenwash? If so I'd go for the filter in the bottle being clagged up
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09-16-2018, 07:31 AM	#4
A15X Lieutenant 126 Rep 458 Posts Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hertfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	Yeah I use screen wash have done on many cars over the years but never had this! I’m guessing it isn’t very easy to unblock?
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09-16-2018, 08:34 AM	#5
Steces First Lieutenant 95 Rep 326 Posts Drives: G31 530d Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I had the exact same thing on an E46 years ago It happened at approx the 4y mark and I was really impressed how simple it was to get the reservoir out and clean the gunk out of the filter Having said that I'm sure I read here that the F30 is not so simple
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09-16-2018, 02:37 PM	#6
willjames Lieutenant Colonel 709 Rep 1,696 Posts Drives: G01 X3 3.0d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire iTrader: (0)	I only use the BMW washer fluid to avoid clogging. It's pretty cheap from Amazon or eBay.
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09-16-2018, 02:51 PM	#9
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	Yep there’s a mesh that collects any debris before leaving the washer bottle which gets clogged with goop from mixing different types of washer fluid. I cleared mine by filling it with boiling water, drive round the block to swish it about, then pull the pipe off the jets and pump it through.
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09-16-2018, 03:06 PM	#10
jav_ski Second Lieutenant 86 Rep 263 Posts Drives: F30 335d xDrive M Sport Saloon Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Would suggest what Teaston did before you try and pull the bottle - I have done it and it's an absolute b*itch to get out of the f30 hidden behind the drivers side wing right near the door. So you have take off the wheel the arch cover and then try and get it out (clipped in) not the easiest without a lift. I had my mechanic mate do it and it still took him An hour to do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-16-2018, 04:06 PM	#11
Richard52 Private First Class 12 Rep 101 Posts Drives: F30 328i AT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	Had the same problem , hot water cured it for me.
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09-16-2018, 04:30 PM	#12
A15X Lieutenant 126 Rep 458 Posts Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hertfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback all, is it worth running the water out as much as possible then fill with boiling water?
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09-17-2018, 09:12 AM	#15
Alscoob Brigadier General 2110 Rep 3,055 Posts Drives: G31 540i M Sport Edition Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Never ever used BMW washer fluid and never had a problem with blockage or faulty washer jets. As long as you use a good make and be consistent it should be OK.
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09-17-2018, 09:16 AM	#16
goodbyalfa King of the North (living in the east...) 1056 Rep 2,154 Posts Drives: M340i mineral white Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suffolk iTrader: (0)	Had this problem last christmas. Bloody thing blocked up despite me only ever using bmw screen wash. Car was under 3 years old but not covered under Warranty. Twats. Cost me around £120 for bmw bury to strip it and clean out. 90 minutes later, back on the road. It's a completely shit design. __________________ 2021 M340i in mineral white, options galore Previously 2018 440i GC in MG 2015 330D F30 MSport EBII 2012 Alfa Guilietta 2.0d Veloce 2009 Fiat bravo sport 2000 ST Mondeo
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09-17-2018, 10:32 AM	#17
A15X Lieutenant 126 Rep 458 Posts Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hertfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	Well...I gave the empty washer fluid then top back up with boiling water and hasn’t work! Took around half an hour to empty the tank (me being a twat for filling it up yesterday) think I’m going to book it in for sorting!
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09-17-2018, 03:03 PM	#19
A15X Lieutenant 126 Rep 458 Posts Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hertfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	It’s under warranty so going to take my chances!
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09-18-2018, 04:42 PM	#22
t5pilot Colonel 978 Rep 2,069 Posts Drives: M4 CP & S1000 XR Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Yorkshire - UK iTrader: (1)	Here you go... Windscreen washer not working https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1448561 __________________ /// BM3 + M-Power ///
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