Front & Rear Wash Not Working

stuartfung · 02-11-2022, 07:55 AM

Has anyone tried to fix the front and rear washers not working/blocked?
I hear the motor when I try to use the washers but no water comes out of the jets. So it's definitely not the motor issue.
Any recommendations on how to resolve this?

rice_rocket88 · 02-11-2022, 10:26 AM

Wouldn't suppose that everything is... frozen? Otherwise check to see if you have a cracked reservoir.. ie maybe there's no fluid. I honestly don't know if the X2 has a low fluid warning because I've never had it get that low...

Peter_R · 02-11-2022, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartfung

Has anyone tried to fix the front and rear washers not working/blocked?
I hear the motor when I try to use the washers but no water comes out of the jets. So it's definitely not the motor issue.
Any recommendations on how to resolve this?

I understand that different mixtures of screen washer fluid (Not the BMW type) can allow the build-up of green algae/crap that eventually gunges up the pipes and the jets.

It appears using Steradent tablets or similar can help clear it out. Apparently, they can take time to work.

stuartfung · 02-11-2022, 03:39 PM

There's definitely a clog up of some sort, as I only needed to top it up a cup full (after fully topping it up couple of weeks ago).
Steradent hmm or something similar, perhaps give that a go.

chowser51 · 02-11-2022, 05:18 PM

What type of fluid have you been using?
I finally had to refill mine last night. I grabbed some bmw washer fluid concentrate I had sitting around from my e90 days and mixed up a batch for winter use.

stuartfung · 02-12-2022, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowser51

What type of fluid have you been using?
I finally had to refill mine last night. I grabbed some bmw washer fluid concentrate I had sitting around from my e90 days and mixed up a batch for winter use.

I used Halfords fluid, and it seemed to have stopped working AFTER I poured it in I guess.
I will try Steradent tablets to neutralise whatever is clogging up the reservoir.
Will keep you posted on progress.

chowser51 · 02-13-2022, 02:08 PM

Wonder if the Halfords fluid has anything in it to gum up the washer pumps? I know to stay away from the rainx stuff which is why I have just been using bmw fluid in four of my bmws so far with no issues.

//TMT · 02-15-2022, 08:13 AM

Watch out for fluid with high doses of methanol as the antifreeze component, it can attack the rubber one-way valves all the way down the lines.

If it's crud in the tank, it's not too difficult to get at by pulling down the right-side inner fender liner.

chrisclark6 · 05-31-2022, 05:20 AM

I hear the motor when I try to use the washers but no water comes out of the jets. I have pulled out the pipe leading to the jet nozzle and blown into it leading to the washer reservoir. Where it bubbles showing that it is not blocked. The pump definitely working as I hear the motor. Could it be that the propeller has burned out? As I used it with no water as there is no warning light to indicate the tank is empty.

e30lover318i · 05-31-2022, 07:51 AM

Just because the pump makes noise doesn’t mean it works, there is a plastic impeller that can break apart “common on old bmw” you should have 2 pumps. 1 rear 1 front, try to see if you can remove the washer hose before the nozzles and see if you get fluid… sometimes nozzles get clogged you can use a baby pin to solve that. Hopefully this helps somewhat, I know the actual wash res is a pain to access

02-11-2022, 07:55 AM	#1
stuartfung Private First Class 9 Rep 137 Posts Drives: F39 X2 20d M Sport XDrive Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cheadle iTrader: (0)	Front & Rear Wash Not Working Has anyone tried to fix the front and rear washers not working/blocked? I hear the motor when I try to use the washers but no water comes out of the jets. So it's definitely not the motor issue. Any recommendations on how to resolve this?
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02-11-2022, 10:26 AM	#2
rice_rocket88 Major 298 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: E60 F48 F39 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Wouldn't suppose that everything is... frozen? Otherwise check to see if you have a cracked reservoir.. ie maybe there's no fluid. I honestly don't know if the X2 has a low fluid warning because I've never had it get that low...
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02-11-2022, 03:39 PM	#4
stuartfung Private First Class 9 Rep 137 Posts Drives: F39 X2 20d M Sport XDrive Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cheadle iTrader: (0)	There's definitely a clog up of some sort, as I only needed to top it up a cup full (after fully topping it up couple of weeks ago). Steradent hmm or something similar, perhaps give that a go.
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02-11-2022, 05:18 PM	#5
chowser51 Colonel 2025 Rep 2,805 Posts Drives: F33 430 and F39 M35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW 430i xDrive [0.00]	What type of fluid have you been using? I finally had to refill mine last night. I grabbed some bmw washer fluid concentrate I had sitting around from my e90 days and mixed up a batch for winter use.
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02-13-2022, 02:08 PM	#7
chowser51 Colonel 2025 Rep 2,805 Posts Drives: F33 430 and F39 M35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW 430i xDrive [0.00]	Wonder if the Halfords fluid has anything in it to gum up the washer pumps? I know to stay away from the rainx stuff which is why I have just been using bmw fluid in four of my bmws so far with no issues.
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02-15-2022, 08:13 AM	#8
//TMT Lieutenant 129 Rep 421 Posts Drives: 2020 X2 M35i, 2005 Volvo V50T5 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Eastern Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Watch out for fluid with high doses of methanol as the antifreeze component, it can attack the rubber one-way valves all the way down the lines. If it's crud in the tank, it's not too difficult to get at by pulling down the right-side inner fender liner.
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05-31-2022, 05:20 AM	#9
chrisclark6 Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: X2 SDrive20i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: bristol iTrader: (0)	I hear the motor when I try to use the washers but no water comes out of the jets. I have pulled out the pipe leading to the jet nozzle and blown into it leading to the washer reservoir. Where it bubbles showing that it is not blocked. The pump definitely working as I hear the motor. Could it be that the propeller has burned out? As I used it with no water as there is no warning light to indicate the tank is empty.
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05-31-2022, 07:51 AM	#10
e30lover318i Second Lieutenant 79 Rep 211 Posts Drives: E30,E34T,E46,F48 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	Just because the pump makes noise doesn’t mean it works, there is a plastic impeller that can break apart “common on old bmw” you should have 2 pumps. 1 rear 1 front, try to see if you can remove the washer hose before the nozzles and see if you get fluid… sometimes nozzles get clogged you can use a baby pin to solve that. Hopefully this helps somewhat, I know the actual wash res is a pain to access
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