bmw 3 series 2003, window washers not working properly!!?

My 07 1 Series is having this problem fixed right now. It has to have the wheel and the wheel arch lining removed before the bottle can be accessed. I thought the bloke was joshing me until I looked through the glass in the service reception and watched them do it. Cost = £120 to solve, I fell off my chair and negotiated £50 inc some BMW washer fluid, (gods teeth!!) Problem is caused by cheap gummy washer fluid. I asked for the filter to be removed to avoid recurrence as its not like I'm putting contaminated fluid in there. I was told that constitutes modification and could negate warranty. I rang a mechanic mate who said he'd heard of this particular problem and suggested I pay the 50 and bear it as he would require the same 50 for taking it on given the faff involved.

JJ Solari
January 2009

yep...it will be the small filter at the pump blocked with scum formed from using the wrong screenwash!!..the filter is tiny!...cleanable but its a bugger to get to behind the front wheel arch...prob is uv have to clean the bottle out fully to stop it happening again...and theres no easy way to do it cos of its shape!...iv got a spare bottle soaking in bleach in the garage to swap when i need to...!!tut

yatesey
January 2009

My 320 is in having this sorted as I post this. Apparently its common that the filter on the washer pump gets blocked if you use standard (cheap) screenwash fluid.

The solution is to strip the system and clean or replace the filter. Then use original BMW or similar high grade screenwash concentrate in the future.

Apparently, its a common problem and is to do with the viscosity of some fluids. The mechanic suggested the fluid needs to be methanol-based (not sure whether he means methanol-free). VWs and Audis can also suffer the same problem.

Jimbo
December 2008

I have the same problem with my 1-series (2006). I haven't fixed it yet - the washer bottle is apparently hidden in the space between the footwell and the wheel arch which makes it the devil to get at. However I have been told (by a dealer) that the probably cause is that there's a filter on the output from the bottle - how stupid is that - which gets clogged. IF you can get at it you can clean it with a pin / cocktail stick etc. Hope that helps.

Philip
November 2008

Baz,
Thanks for the posting, will be checking the pipes etc: today. Hopefully I will find the cause of the trouble.

Shakey
October 2008

Check the pipe connections at both the pump end & especially on the jets. They have to be a water-tight seal. Could even be the jet to pipe connection is broken. Most BMWs have heated jets & they can become brittle. Good Luck

Baz
October 2008