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      12-12-2013, 06:55 PM   #1
wangt86
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Windshield Wash Fluid Not Spraying

Our 2011 X3 is no longer spraying the windshield wash fluid. It never indicated low fluid but I refilled it anyway. I hear the pump when I hit the stalk but it doesn't come out from either the front or the back windshield.

Anyone have this problem? What should I be looking for. I do hear the pump regardless if I use the rear or front spray.

Thanks
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      12-12-2013, 07:07 PM   #2
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Funny, I had exactly the same problem today. I'm wondering if someone put plain water into the system, although only my dealer and I have added fluid (and I know it wasn't me.) When the temperature got slightly above freezing today, it worked fine. I took that as an opportunity to purge the system and add a little washer fluid. I'll know whether it worked in the morning.
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      12-13-2013, 08:31 AM   #3
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Great. Just went out this morning to test it and I no longer hear the pump. Car is out of warranty due to mileage but it is too cold to do the repair myself. Anyone can recommend a shop in Central NJ?
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      12-13-2013, 08:39 AM   #4
wangt86
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oops nothing much. There is a filter they just called it a strainer. Did you take the front passenger wheel off to access the pump or did you go from top down?

Last edited by wangt86; 12-13-2013 at 08:47 AM..
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      12-13-2013, 10:04 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wangt86 View Post
oops nothing much. There is a filter they just called it a strainer. Did you take the front passenger wheel off to access the pump or did you go from top down?
I had the same issue on my X3 (2013) and also on my 330d. Basically it is scum (its like a clear jelly) around your strainer. For the 330d - very simple task taking the filter out - X3 - not easy at all - loads of screws to take of the wheel arch cover as well as remove your wheel - they basically designed it this way so it is chargeable - in fact - even though its well known - my dealer said - yes - leave it with us and we will investigate. Luckily I read the thread and cancelled the dealer appointment or I could have been £160 out of pocket.

Basically - I tried removing the wheel - but with runflats in the uk - you do not get a jack with the car!! So couldn't do that - tried to get the wheel arch cover off and couldn't get access to pump (got my fingers on it though) and would have had to remove side skirt fixings and was afraid I would damage the paint work.

So - I used the rear wiper to drain the tank. The poured piping hot water into the tank from a kettle. I also removed the washer pipe and blew air down it (using a bicycle pump) to blow off the slime. Then I bought 5 litres of BMW washer fluid and poured in 3 litres neat and left it for a day or two - suddenly wipers clogged up again so I flushed through the air again and repeated the process - yesterday - my washer fluid said empty so I filled up again and all is well.

Please boil your water and let it cool before topping up your tank - I used a crappy water station at a local garage and this is what happened. As long as you boil your water (plus use BMW wash fluid - a BMW mechanic on this site says they add chemicals to it) and you will not have a problem. Hops this helps!
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      12-13-2013, 10:11 AM   #6
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My only concern now is that I cannot get any of the fluid to go through the front or rear windshields (Dont have headlamp washers). Did you hear your pump when yours clogged? I heard it last night but I didn't hear it this morning?

Thanks!
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      12-13-2013, 10:14 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wangt86 View Post
My only concern now is that I cannot get any of the fluid to go through the front or rear windshields (Dont have headlamp washers). Did you hear your pump when yours clogged? I heard it last night but I didn't hear it this morning?

Thanks!
Yes - I heard the pump whining - you may have burned yours out - it seems there are a few people who already have as I have seen adverts for new ones for the F25 which may mean that they are not that reliable.
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      12-13-2013, 10:49 AM   #8
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I use water that is filtered at my sink here in the South. Never had a problem and I'm on my 4th bimmer.
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      12-13-2013, 10:52 AM   #9
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Bottled or filtered water and top off by the BMW dealer....
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      12-13-2013, 03:26 PM   #10
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Wouldn't windshield washer fluid be better to put in there then plan ol water? It's only like $3 for a gallon
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      12-13-2013, 04:53 PM   #11
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Jackpot! Everything works now! The car was sitting there for a week so maybe the lines froze up in front of the pump. I'm guessing the long distance drive the wife took finally heated up the engine bay enough.

Still a bit ridiculous since I use the same liquid in all the other cars and this has never happened before. I'll go get some of that concentrated stuff since the wife complains the cheap crap I put in streaks.
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      12-18-2013, 11:26 PM   #12
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Yes, mine does this too. When it sits outside while I'm at work, and the temps drop below freezing, I get this problem. When I drive it home, and park it in the garage overnight, it works fine again by the time I test it the next morning (due to the garage being warmer). So it must be the lines freezing up. I read that the washer nozzles are heated while the engine is on, so it's not the nozzles freezing up. It must be the supply line freezing. I just flushed mine out and added new washer fluid rated for -25 F. We'll see if that helps. I read the manual, and it said that you can add Anti Freeze to it! I know Anti Freeze is rated for -50 F !!!! We'll see how it goes...
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      12-19-2013, 02:22 PM   #13
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you use rainx windshield washer u wont have this issue,
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      09-29-2018, 04:35 AM   #14
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Windscreen washers blocked

12m old X3 - refilled washer fluid when alert came up and found they only produced a dribble while the rear washer was fine. Tried siphoning off but no solution so booked into my local garage who charged me £150 fo drain and refill.
They told me was my fault for not using the Approved BMW sourced washer fluid which I find amazing as do not believe I was warned about this when purchased (new).
I feel I have a valid complaint but wish to know is this a common issue.
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      09-29-2018, 09:33 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris J G View Post
12m old X3 - refilled washer fluid when alert came up and found they only produced a dribble while the rear washer was fine. Tried siphoning off but no solution so booked into my local garage who charged me £150 fo drain and refill.
They told me was my fault for not using the Approved BMW sourced washer fluid which I find amazing as do not believe I was warned about this when purchased (new).
I feel I have a valid complaint but wish to know is this a common issue.
I think they were laughing when you accepted their charge to drain and refill. As for the fluid all are basically equivalent, with the possible exception of the temperature rating. Having it not work, or freeze, is not something I'd consider common.
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