[ZimmerZimmer]

So this problem happened of my 320D a few years back and now my 335i I picked up 1 week ago has the same issue.

On my 320D I took it to a garage and they took the wheel liner off and used a air liner and blasted loads of crud onto my windscreen and was fine since...

However they charged me £50.00.

Having just has a dealer service, warranty taken out and £500.00 road tax due at the end of the month id prefer to keep £50.00 towards the tax has anyone got any other tips?

Someone told me a Calgon tablet, but i'm not convinced....

I've disconnect the hose in the engine bay near the pollen filter and used an electric pump to pass air through to the jets and they are fine!

Motor has not burned out as I can still hear it and my headlamps washers still work...

I was also able to blow and suck the fluid through the disconnected tube.

Its defo got to be the pump that's got a build up of crap from non BMW windscreen wash....

Anyone got a cheaper, maybe better fix?

Thanks in advance

[KM79]

Pull the hose of the washer supply pipe and blow compressed air into the reservoir. But watch out it will be like a guyser!I did this on mine about a year ago and was fine since.

Kris

[ZimmerZimmer]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

Pull the hose of the washer supply pipe and blow compressed air into the reservoir. But watch out it will be like a guyser!I did this on mine about a year ago and was fine since.

Kris

Hmmmmm interesting, I didn't think about putting airline into the hose going into reservoir...

[ZimmerZimmer]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

Pull the hose of the washer supply pipe and blow compressed air into the reservoir. But watch out it will be like a guyser!I did this on mine about a year ago and was fine since.

Kris

Top up lid open of closed?

I assume itll pop off with pressure anyway....lol

[KM79]

Yeah mate take off the lid but stand out the way as she'll spray!

[KM79]

Originally Posted by ZimmerZimmer

Hmmmmm interesting, I didn't think about putting airline into the hose going into reservoir...

Yeah I've done that a few times for customers who don't want to pay lol

[ZimmerZimmer]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

Yeah mate take off the lid but stand out the way as she'll spray!

Ill give that a try tomorrow and will let you know how I get on.

Thanks Kris

[KM79]

No probs at all

[DMH-01]

As mentioned you need to blow air into the reservoir tank.

I done mine at the weekend and loads of phlegm like gunk came out of it (put a couple of sheets of foil around the tank to catch all the gunk).

[ZimmerZimmer]

Originally Posted by DMH-01

As mentioned you need to blow air into the reservoir tank.

I done mine at the weekend and loads of phlegm like gunk came out of it (put a couple of sheets of foil around the tank to catch all the gunk).

So basically keep blowing air until all the contents including fluid/water/gunk is out?

Do you now stick to BMW only or continue with other branded screen wash?

[KM79]

Give it a good 5 sec blast I would say.
Yes only use bmw screen wash too,I do but I get it for free!

[davyk31]

I would just do the job for real, its a pretty simple job that you can complete in under an hour and you don't risk ruining any components with compressed air or harsh chemicals. The gunk can be pretty thick and sticky and the only way to properly remove is to get the filter out and clean it. By blasting air you may remove some gunge and maybe enough to let it work again but new gunge will possibly form and stick easier to the mucky filter.

Jack up the car, remove front drivers wheel, there are about 8 or 10 fasteners holding in the wheelarch, remove these and the inner arch, bottle is then staring you in the face, the filter is on the end of the motor and simply pops out of the bottle. Clean the filter so its spotless, put all back together and fill with BMW screenwash. Job done properly.

[ZimmerZimmer]

Originally Posted by davyk31

I would just do the job for real, its a pretty simple job that you can complete in under an hour and you don't risk ruining any components with compressed air or harsh chemicals. The gunk can be pretty thick and sticky and the only way to properly remove is to get the filter out and clean it. By blasting air you may remove some gunge and maybe enough to let it work again but new gunge will possibly form and stick easier to the mucky filter.

Jack up the car, remove front drivers wheel, there are about 8 or 10 fasteners holding in the wheelarch, remove these and the inner arch, bottle is then staring you in the face, the filter is on the end of the motor and simply pops out of the bottle. Clean the filter so its spotless, put all back together and fill with BMW screenwash. Job done properly.

2 years ago I would have had the Haynes manual out and cars jacked and doing this myself...

Balancing work, a wife and a 23month old with another on the way in less than 5 weeks, I just haven't got the time, I wish I did though!

Good ol'days where I could spend hours on my cars after work

[DMH-01]

Originally Posted by ZimmerZimmer

So basically keep blowing air until all the contents including fluid/water/gunk is out?

Do you now stick to BMW only or continue with other branded screen wash?

I was using an electric tyre inflator so it wasn't that powerful but yeah I left it running till it was clear.

I'll be ordering some of this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190868714160?redirect=mobile

[davyk31]

I put the job off for ages and considered all the quick fix options but most seemed to fail after a relatively short time, others did damage immediately and cost more money. In the end I bit the bullet and did the job, went really well and was much easier than expected, 1 hour tops and now I know the problem is properly cleared and won't return.

[Jamese93]

Denture tablets are another one....

[I6Touring]

Originally Posted by davyk31

...

Jack up the car, remove front drivers wheel, there are about 8 or 10 fasteners holding in the wheelarch, remove these and the inner arch, bottle is then staring you in the face, the filter is on the end of the motor and simply pops out of the bottle. Clean the filter so its spotless, put all back together and fill with BMW screenwash. Job done properly.

I did the same job when mine stopped working, but would be impressed if a denture tablet clears it up next time.

[Ibz82]

I have now got this problem so I will be doing the filter clean.
I think it's ridiculous that BMW won't cover this as warranty!! It's hardly a service able part!
Thinking about a 20 year old skoda,s/fords
That are still working perfectly fine.
The worst part on my car!!!!

[Hulla the Hulla]

Silly question from an uninitiated one, why does non BMW screen washer cause problems and what's different about the BMW stuff compared to say any generic screen wash ? Never had "gunging" issues in any other car I've had ? Is this because of the design of the BMW washer system ?

[Eelesy24]

Originally Posted by Hulla the Hulla

Silly question from an uninitiated one, why does non BMW screen washer cause problems and what's different about the BMW stuff compared to say any generic screen wash ? Never had "gunging" issues in any other car I've had ? Is this because of the design of the BMW washer system ?

The design of the bottle doesn't help but the common thought is that it is caused by the mixing of different brands of screen wash that causes it to react and become gungy. It really is an easy DIY although not a clean one. The downside to blowing down the bottle is it tends to actually blow the filter off of the pump so it really is worth spending some time cleaning it and then spending a few extra £ and buy bmw screen wash

Mike

[An8nd]

I have this exact same issue now! Grr! I removed the hose and blew air through until all the fluid was drained. I then refilled and it was working fine initially, but within minutes it stopped again. Does that mean the filter is blocked and needs a clean?

[IanS100]

After removing the motor & cleaning the filter make sure you also clean inside the bottle thoroughly, if it's not spotless it'll block up again in no time.