[Pequin]

If those who are sure and I am not doubting in the least, that the use of non BMW screenwash causes the issue. I wonder if we could claim either, from the manufacturers that their screenwash caused an expensive repair bill, or claim from BMW, that due to the lack of advice and associated warning stickers how would we know to only use their screenwash? Just a thought.

[330XDave]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but the dreaded blocked screen wash bug has hit me too. I've taken the pipe off and blown back down the pipe and you hear the screen wash bubbling so I'm surprised that after putting it back on not a single drop comes through. The motor is clearly audible so no problems with that not working. Having no access to compressed air means I've booked it in at my local specialist. I've got a feeling this is going to be pricey!

[E60525d]

I had the same problem with our F25 X3, it was an easy fix. My local 'specialist' quoted £250!!!

On ours I could blow down the pipe and hear the fluid bubling too. Blasting compressed air down it did not help.

Instead I bought this adapter and connected it to my hose pipe and the other end to the washer pipe. - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hose pipe on, I left it for about 30 mins so had enough time to blast water back through the lines and back into the bottle. Obviously remove the washer cap whilst doing this.

After a few mins, I could see debri coming out of the reservoir.

Built it all back up and and worked!

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by E60525d

I had the same problem with our F25 X3, it was an easy fix. My local 'specialist' quoted £250!!!

On ours I could blow down the pipe and hear the fluid bubling too. Blasting compressed air down it did not help.

Instead I bought this adapter and connected it to my hose pipe and the other end to the washer pipe. - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hose pipe on, I left it for about 30 mins so had enough time to blast water back through the lines and back into the bottle. Obviously remove the washer cap whilst doing this.

After a few mins, I could see debri coming out of the reservoir.

Built it all back up and and worked!

I assume the filter at the top of the washer reservoir comes off easily? In all honesty it's hard to imagine how so much crap gets in it really, the filter at the top is pretty robust looking and would catch pretty much anything I would think.

[t5pilot]

Just blowing air alone doesn't actually get rid of the gunk, just maybe dislodges it temporarily.
Use Mr Muscle, as I mentioned in 2016. Only now it's dead easy to disconnect the hose, there's a clip on the bottom left of the (open) bonnet as you look at it from the front. That way you can drain the bottle into another container.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Just blowing air alone doesn't actually get rid of the gunk, just maybe dislodges it temporarily.
Use Mr Muscle, as I mentioned in 2016. Only now it's dead easy to disconnect the hose, there's a clip on the bottom left of the (open) bonnet as you look at it from the front. That way you can drain the bottle into another container.

Yeah I've got the clip to take the hose off. I assume you mean using the siphon method to drain the bottle in to another container?

Anyway I've ordered that pipe size converter thingy to give that a go.

[Hooded]

Had this earlier in the year on mine, the problem is a pain in the arse on BMW’s. Specialist I use will either clean it out for around £100 or put a completely new screen washer tank on for £150

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Yeah I've got the clip to take the hose off. I assume you mean using the siphon method to drain the bottle in to another container?

Anyway I've ordered that pipe size converter thingy to give that a go.

Just a couple of capfuls of drain cleaner/unblocker should do. Give it 10 mins to dissolve the crud. Point the disconnected pipe into a suitable empty bottle/container, then activate the washer motor with the stalk. Empty your washer bottle & repeat twice with hot water in the tank (nothing else), to purge the cleaner.
Don't do it all in one go, keep giving the washer motor a rest so it doesn't overheat.
When you're satisfied the tank's purged, reconnect the washer pipe & you're good to go.
I've been doing this since my very first E90 blockage cost me £70 to get cleared. It works & is quite permanent. Only had to do my F30 once & have had to do my F82.

[A15X]

I was worried about using drain cleaner so used boiling water went for a drive round the block to agitate it then drained the tank.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by A15X

I was worried about using drain cleaner so used boiling water went for a drive round the block to agitate it then drained the tank.

Well I've just spent 3 hours trying to sort it. 3 lots of drain cleaner, boiling water and a very slow draining of the tank and it's still not cleared. It just dribbles out of the pipe. I'm surprised I've not blown the motor to be honest with the amount of abuse it's had this morning. Got no idea what's stuck inside there but it looks like it's a garage job.

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Well I've just spent 3 hours trying to sort it. 3 lots of drain cleaner, boiling water and a very slow draining of the tank and it's still not cleared. It just dribbles out of the pipe. I'm surprised I've not blown the motor to be honest with the amount of abuse it's had this morning. Got no idea what's stuck inside there but it looks like it's a garage job.

Sounds like it's well & truly blocked. Try more drain cleaner, give it an hour to do its stuff before trying to empty again. Up the dose if needs be... It will be far better to try before having to fork out silly money...

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Well I've just spent 3 hours trying to sort it. 3 lots of drain cleaner, boiling water and a very slow draining of the tank and it's still not cleared. It just dribbles out of the pipe. I'm surprised I've not blown the motor to be honest with the amount of abuse it's had this morning. Got no idea what's stuck inside there but it looks like it's a garage job.

Drain cleaner did not work for me, I left it in for 24 hrs and then flushed with hot water. Did nothing, absolute nothing coming out the jets.

Like I said, for me the only way was to blast out the system using a hose pipe.

[330XDave]

I've got that hose pipe attachment coming later so I'll give that a try. My only concern with that is that surely all your doing is delaying the problem for another time as the crap will still be in the tank?

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

I've got that hose pipe attachment coming later so I'll give that a try. My only concern with that is that surely all your doing is delaying the problem for another time as the crap will still be in the tank?

I'd agree. The crud needs dissolving or forcing out by some means.

[Gaffer]

Exactly same thing just happened to me.
Owned car for 2.5 yrs and never had an issue (and never even heard of it before, previous cars never been a problem).
Got in it to go to work a few days ago and it was like it all of a sudden had a large prostate....fluid dribbling out rather than spraying all over the screen.

Tried the "disconnect pipe and blow down it" - didn't work
Tried the "attach tyre inflator and shove 3psi down it" - got lots of bubbling with some blueish crud appearing and worked for about 2min only, then back to 'old man dribble'
Tried diluting out mixture - didn't work
Tried drain unblocker and left overnight - didn't work, even after driving to work and having it slosh around for 30min or so.
Currently nothing comes out at all, but at least I can hear the motor working...

Have just bought that hose adapter so my next plan will be:
1) disconnect as before and fully agitate tank contents with tyre inflator for a minute or two
2) Use adapter to connect water hose and immediately flush system (and hopefully suspended gunk) out for 1/2 hr

If this doesn't work I'm booking it in with the stealers or an indie (anyone know the prices they charge?)

If it does work, I've already ordered 10L of the blue BMW screenwash from a dealership (Listers via eBay) so will use only this in future diluted 1:2

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

Exactly same thing just happened to me.
Owned car for 2.5 yrs and never had an issue (and never even heard of it before, previous cars never been a problem).
Got in it to go to work a few days ago and it was like it all of a sudden had a large prostate....fluid dribbling out rather than spraying all over the screen.

Tried the "disconnect pipe and blow down it" - didn't work
Tried the "attach tyre inflator and shove 3psi down it" - got lots of bubbling with some blueish crud appearing and worked for about 2min only, then back to 'old man dribble'
Tried diluting out mixture - didn't work
Tried drain unblocker and left overnight - didn't work, even after driving to work and having it slosh around for 30min or so.
Currently nothing comes out at all, but at least I can hear the motor working...

Have just bought that hose adapter so my next plan will be:
1) disconnect as before and fully agitate tank contents with tyre inflator for a minute or two
2) Use adapter to connect water hose and immediately flush system (and hopefully suspended gunk) out for 1/2 hr

If this doesn't work I'm booking it in with the stealers or an indie (anyone know the prices they charge?)

If it does work, I've already ordered 10L of the blue BMW screenwash from a dealership (Listers via eBay) so will use only this in future diluted 1:2

Too much hassle ^
I prefer to just let the Indy sort it out for £100 .. it’s not like it blocks up every year.

[Gaffer]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Too much hassle ^
I prefer to just let the Indy sort it out for £100

So far it's cost me nothing much at all (nothing for my previous attempts at a fix). The adapter was a fiver for my next attempt.

I'm not counting the screenwash as regardless of who I go to, I'd be using that in future anyway so it isn't an "extra" cost.

So it's a chance of a fix for a fiver or £100 at the dealership......of course, if it doesn't work then it's off to the stealers anyway in which case I've only spent £5 more over going there in the first place

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

So far it's cost me nothing much at all (nothing for my previous attempts at a fix). The adapter was a fiver for my next attempt.

I'm not counting the screenwash as regardless of who I go to, I'd be using that in future anyway so it isn't an "extra" cost.

So it's a chance of a fix for a fiver or £100 at the dealership......of course, if it doesn't work then it's off to the stealers anyway in which case I've only spent £5 more over going there in the first place

I just meant the hassle of all that fucking about that hasn’t done the job yet, .. I’d rather have a coffee in the waiting room for an hour while the Indy sorts it out properly taking the tank out and cleaning it

[330XDave]

I've tried flushing it through with the adapter and although lots of small bits came out of the top it still doesn't work. More worryingly the motor is now making a strange high pitched noise rather than the standard noise that the rear motor makes. Not that the rear works either! It's booked in at a BMW specialist on Fri and they'll have to sort it as I've used my resources (and patience) with it now. I am thinking I'm going to have to pay for a new motor but even if that's the case they are cheap as chips looking at online parts stores (£5-£20).

On a side note, the hose adapter that was linked earlier doesn't actually fit the little white nozzle that you unclip from under the bonnet. I used a air bed adapter which did fit in the white nozzle, but then still used the adapter to go between this and the hose. You have to hold it all together tightly though and be prepared to get wet!

[Gaffer]

Oh dear, doesn't sound too good....looks like it won't work then

I've got a few options around my neck of the woods:
Offical BMW dealer either at home or near work
Munich Legends (20min drive away)
Munich Power (near place of work) - rang them and left message 4 days ago but no reply, I guess they're too busy this time of year?

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

Exactly same thing just happened to me.
Owned car for 2.5 yrs and never had an issue (and never even heard of it before, previous cars never been a problem).
Got in it to go to work a few days ago and it was like it all of a sudden had a large prostate....fluid dribbling out rather than spraying all over the screen.

Tried the "disconnect pipe and blow down it" - didn't work
Tried the "attach tyre inflator and shove 3psi down it" - got lots of bubbling with some blueish crud appearing and worked for about 2min only, then back to 'old man dribble'
Tried diluting out mixture - didn't work
Tried drain unblocker and left overnight - didn't work, even after driving to work and having it slosh around for 30min or so.
Currently nothing comes out at all, but at least I can hear the motor working...

Have just bought that hose adapter so my next plan will be:
1) disconnect as before and fully agitate tank contents with tyre inflator for a minute or two
2) Use adapter to connect water hose and immediately flush system (and hopefully suspended gunk) out for 1/2 hr

If this doesn't work I'm booking it in with the stealers or an indie (anyone know the prices they charge?)

If it does work, I've already ordered 10L of the blue BMW screenwash from a dealership (Listers via eBay) so will use only this in future diluted 1:2

Just a quick thought on this.... Have you had the airline or hosepipe adapter fitted to the remaining length of tube that actually goes to the nozzles? It could be that the tanks actually clear now but the nozzles themselves could be blocked?

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

I've tried flushing it through with the adapter and although lots of small bits came out of the top it still doesn't work. More worryingly the motor is now making a strange high pitched noise rather than the standard noise that the rear motor makes. Not that the rear works either! It's booked in at a BMW specialist on Fri and they'll have to sort it as I've used my resources (and patience) with it now. I am thinking I'm going to have to pay for a new motor but even if that's the case they are cheap as chips looking at online parts stores (£5-£20).

On a side note, the hose adapter that was linked earlier doesn't actually fit the little white nozzle that you unclip from under the bonnet. I used a air bed adapter which did fit in the white nozzle, but then still used the adapter to go between this and the hose. You have to hold it all together tightly though and be prepared to get wet!

Yes should of mentioned the adapter doesn't fit perfectly on got the car. I found an old rubber pipe that connected in between. I secured it by using cable ties and did not get wet at all, nothing leaked.

The connections need to be secure to make full use of the hose pressure, otherwise it won't work.