Heated washers jets
05-05-2008, 12:42 PM
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Okay guys, first of all, I have done a search on this subject but can't find the answer, hence this post.
It just occured to me that over the winter, whenever there was frost in the morning, I couldn't use the washer jets even after long (upto an hour) drive because I assume the nozzles were frozen. I could only start using them, after I have parked the car for sometime (by which time I assume the heat from the driven engine melted the frost from the nozzle). I found this strange
, because I thought the nozzles were heated but never got arround looking into it. (I don't recall having this problem in my previous E46 & E39)
My warranty on my 05 530i (2nd car) will run out soon and naturally I am keen to get any faults looked at by the local dealer. As winter/frosty days are gone now, I can't test it, so my question is:
Would you say this is normal operation (i.e. you have experienced similar) or do you think the washer jet is faulty
? If its the latter, I assume there should be some fault code reported that the dealer can verfiy, am I correct? 
Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestion.
It just occured to me that over the winter, whenever there was frost in the morning, I couldn't use the washer jets even after long (upto an hour) drive because I assume the nozzles were frozen. I could only start using them, after I have parked the car for sometime (by which time I assume the heat from the driven engine melted the frost from the nozzle). I found this strange
, because I thought the nozzles were heated but never got arround looking into it. (I don't recall having this problem in my previous E46 & E39) My warranty on my 05 530i (2nd car) will run out soon and naturally I am keen to get any faults looked at by the local dealer. As winter/frosty days are gone now, I can't test it, so my question is:
Would you say this is normal operation (i.e. you have experienced similar) or do you think the washer jet is faulty
? If its the latter, I assume there should be some fault code reported that the dealer can verfiy, am I correct? Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestion.
05-05-2008, 01:46 PM
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I presume they are heated (especially since I have the cold weather package) as way back to my e28 they were.
But then I also use a "winter" mix in my windshield washer / headlight washer reservoir. I had no problem with frozen jets this past winter when the temperature was at 20 degrees F.
From p 68 of my owners manual ('07 530xi w/premium and cold weather ++)
But then I also use a "winter" mix in my windshield washer / headlight washer reservoir. I had no problem with frozen jets this past winter when the temperature was at 20 degrees F.
From p 68 of my owners manual ('07 530xi w/premium and cold weather ++)
05-05-2008, 02:06 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
I've never had an issue with frozen washer jets on my e60 or any other car, BMW or otherwise. And, yes, I have and currently do, live in a place where the temperatures go below 20F. I always attributed this to the chemical mix of the washer fluid rather than heated jets. However, the e60 and some of my previous cars may have/have had this feature.
05-05-2008, 03:08 PM
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It's heated from the source, not right at the jets --> if the water is frozen at the jet, you can't do anything until those "ice blocks" melt away. My recommendation is to use good "winter" mix all the time if you live in area where temperature goes down below freezing point. People use tap water and many busted their jet wash system.
05-05-2008, 04:29 PM
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My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by BlueSander' post='574734' date='May 5 2008, 07:08 PM
It's heated from the source, not right at the jets --> if the water is frozen at the jet, you can't do anything until those "ice blocks" melt away. My recommendation is to use good "winter" mix all the time if you live in area where temperature goes down below freezing point. People use tap water and many busted their jet wash system.
I've experienced a frozen jet on a non-BMW many times before but since my E30 (1989) M3, they've never frozen. Yes, I use the washer fluid that isn't supposed to freeze under normal conditions but in very cold temperatures, it still does...
05-06-2008, 12:01 PM
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Thanks for responding guys. Okay, from your comments I take it that I shouldn't have had any problems & the jets should have functioned properly provided that I have used appropriate fluid (which I am sure I did, although I am not sure if I got the mixture / concentration right).
Anyways, does a fault with heating element of washer jets generate error codes that the local dealer can confirm for me using the diagonistic tools?
Anyways, does a fault with heating element of washer jets generate error codes that the local dealer can confirm for me using the diagonistic tools?
05-06-2008, 12:13 PM
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My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by BizyB' post='575318' date='May 6 2008, 04:01 PM
Thanks for responding guys. Okay, from your comments I take it that I shouldn't have had any problems & the jets should have functioned properly provided that I have used appropriate fluid (which I am sure I did, although I am not sure if I got the mixture / concentration right).
Anyways, does a fault with heating element of washer jets generate error codes that the local dealer can confirm for me using the diagonistic tools?
Anyways, does a fault with heating element of washer jets generate error codes that the local dealer can confirm for me using the diagonistic tools?
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