[NathanJT]

My car is in the garage this morning because the windscreen washer jets aren't working properly with very poor pressure and take about 10 seconds to get anything out of them. The headlight ones work perfectly (in fact probably even more powerful than before).

The first thing the service rep said was that it would be unlikely to be covered under warrenty

Has anyone else suffered this, and if so what was the cause?

[Bumps]

Originally Posted by NathanJT

My car is in the garage this morning because the windscreen washer jets aren't working properly with very poor pressure and take about 10 seconds to get anything out of them. The headlight ones work perfectly (in fact probably even more powerful than before).

The first thing the service rep said was that it would be unlikely to be covered under warrenty

Has anyone else suffered this, and if so what was the cause?

Sorry Nathan haven't come across this but don't stand for any of this not covered by warranty crap!! My old E46 coupe headlamp washers bust once (the pipe came off the nozzle bit and it sprayed passers by more than the lamps LOL) and it was covered no probs under a BMWAUC Warranty.

Dou you live in a very hard water area? Just a thought but we do and I use filtered water to top up every so often to avoid limescale build up on the washer jets - it does happen, but your problem maybe sounds different. Good luck.

[NathanJT]

Well, to be honest they said if it was crud in the filter then it's not covered (which I can kind of understand).

But then I only ever use pre-mixed washer fluid so there shouldn't be anything going into the reservoir to get it clogged up in the first place.

I guess I'll find out when the call

[NFS]

Originally Posted by NathanJT

My car is in the garage this morning because the windscreen washer jets aren't working properly with very poor pressure and take about 10 seconds to get anything out of them. The headlight ones work perfectly (in fact probably even more powerful than before).

The first thing the service rep said was that it would be unlikely to be covered under warrenty

Has anyone else suffered this, and if so what was the cause?

If it's blocked by dirt then this is probably correct, but somewhat tight.

[Bumps]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

If it's blocked by dirt then this is probably correct, but somewhat tight.

A fair description!!

[booforty]

Same thing happened to mine. It was repaired under warranty. The dealer said it was the type of water/washer fluid used blocking the jets! They recommended that I use filtered water or bottled water and only BMW approved washer fluid.

[NathanJT]

Is there anything in the manual about exactly what type of washer fluid should be used does anyone know? If they sy it has to be "BMW approved" and the manual doesn't then I'll fight any non-warrenty repair costs.

[silverbmwz3]

Sorry Nathan, but couldn't resist with the icon so close to hand:



I recall something similar on my z3 - they said if you use hard water and you get particles collecting in it this can happen, I don't recall paying them to sort it though.

[NathanJT]

Thanks Silver, the Manual is in the boot of the car at the moment

I've just downloaded one and it states nothing about washer fluid types or hard water etc. Plus, I use premixed fluid so it's not my tap water.

[NathanJT]

Well it's back.... at the astounding cost of £10.87!

Stratstone have basically said that it's caused by the washer fluid I'm usig congealing at the bottom of the tank, blocking the filter. Now I'm not going to argue the toss over <£11 but they have said that if it needs doing again in future they'll have to remove the entire washer bottle and clean it. For which I'd be looking at about 2-3 hours work.

That's a damned expensive clean up job considerig BMW don't specify what liquids you can or can't use in there!

I might drop a letter to BMW UK CS and see what they come back with.

[Z4 Beemer]

I use Tesco own washer fluid (green in colour) - very good stuff and makes the wipers work in a nice smooth action.

[NathanJT]

Z4, yup, I've used Tesco in there as well.

As I said I've only ever used pre-mixed stuff and it has only ever been from BMW, Tesco, Halfords or Sainsburys.

Interesting really as my Miswah's 206 has had the same mix (minus the BMW) for the last 4 years and hasn't suffered such issues! Maybe it's the BMW stuff at fault? LOL!

[booforty]

Use a different dealer. Mine were a joy. Told me why the washers were blocked. Fixed it under warranty but didn't threaten me that if I did it again I would have to pay!

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

I use Tesco own washer fluid (green in colour) - very good stuff and makes the wipers work in a nice smooth action.

I think that would clash with the blue of my car.

[ECBMW]

I had a similar problem with my old 1 series i also took it to stratstone - they repaired it without questions asked. Only thing they said to me was to use a BMW approved solution.....more money for them

[Bumps]

Glad you got it sorted Nathan. No surprises ref the recommendation to use the BMW solution (it is pretty good though). BTW when the washer bottle/tank was nearly empty on my old 1er the BMW solution used to turn gelatinous and wouldn't work on the rear wash/wipe, so the maker's own stuff isn't immune IMO.

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by SoYank

I think that would clash with the blue of my car.

As long as you keep the engine compartment lid closed it should be ok.

[NathanJT]

I'm gonna pick up some of the BMW stuff in the next few days. And then I'm going to put some in a container in the garage and forget about it.

Personally I think this is all BS. As such a little control experiment is in order

[ShereKhan]

I think i'd go round to the dealer and throw some mud on their cars parked on their forecourt. I'd be demanding the service manager to prove to me that the water in the bottle is of a wrong chemical content.

Its a load of BS to pay to 10.87 ask him to prove to you that they put BMW stuff in. I'm sure that he will not be able to prove it!

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

I think i'd go round to the dealer and throw some mud on their cars parked on their forecourt. I'd be demanding the service manager to prove to me that the water in the bottle is of a wrong chemical content.

Its a load of BS to pay to 10.87 ask him to prove to you that they put BMW stuff in. I'm sure that he will not be able to prove it!

There is probably something in the small print when you sign to have them look at the car.

NathanJT - if you put it in a container in the garage and forget about it, you'll never remember to go and look at it

[Cafe.Racer]

Filled up the washer bottle on Saturday and put some antifreeze in.

Mrs Used the car on Sunday and said that she couldn't get the rear wash wipe to work. I thought "probably pulling the wrong stalk".

This morning, the washer jets aren't working.

Now, I know it was very cold with freezing fog and everything, but I don't think it's frozen up as I can't even hear the pump trying.

Smidge over 17k - is this a common thing?

Whilst I'm on, I've been waiting for the first service, but I also have a rattle in the dash, it's central and seems to be coming from around the upper vent area (the big upper vent, not the face vents). This might been down to a car kit I have fitted, so I also wanted to ask if it was a common one?

[sheps]

Someone else reported this problem a little while back, IIRC it was something to do with the filter in the washer bottle becoming clogged, and BMW explained it by stating only de-inoised water and genuine BMW windscreen washer fluid should be used.

Although, if the motor isn't even engaging in your case, this could be something different.