LCI E60 - heated washer jets?
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We had a cold morning today in the UK (please, no comments from people in proper countries where you get REALLLLY cold weather, everything is relative!!). It was -6.0 oC, so I started the car running for a good 15 minutes to defrost everything before I had to leave. Most things were fairly decently defrosted, so off I went. After about 10 minutes of driving the windscreen was quite mucky from all the spray off the road, so i tried to clean it - no water! The water jets were frozen. I thought they should have been heated and would have defrosted along with the mirrors and rear window, so I pushed that button again. 10 minutes later, still no water. Pushed the button for a third time after it clicked off. After a fairly long commute due to a detour, I got to work after about 50 minutes of driving and the windscreen jets were STILL frozen. Just a dribble of water coming out.
I am sure that my previous E60 would squirt water just after a few minutes. So;
1) Should the E60 have heated windscreen jets?
2) If so, when should they heat, all the time or only when the rear window/mirror defroster is on?
Before I go off to the dealer to have this looked at, I'd appreciate any input ... any of you guys in -6.0 oC or colder having the same problem as me?
I am sure that my previous E60 would squirt water just after a few minutes. So;
1) Should the E60 have heated windscreen jets?
2) If so, when should they heat, all the time or only when the rear window/mirror defroster is on?
Before I go off to the dealer to have this looked at, I'd appreciate any input ... any of you guys in -6.0 oC or colder having the same problem as me?
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My Ride: 2005(55) E60 M Sport. Silver Grey, 19" wheels, Media Pack, Visibility Pack. Black Dakota Leather, High Gloss Dark Maple Wood.
Originally Posted by Russ1974' post='507584' date='Dec 17 2007, 09:20 AM
We had a cold morning today in the UK (please, no comments from people in proper countries where you get REALLLLY cold weather, everything is relative!!). It was -6.0 oC, so I started the car running for a good 15 minutes to defrost everything before I had to leave. Most things were fairly decently defrosted, so off I went. After about 10 minutes of driving the windscreen was quite mucky from all the spray off the road, so i tried to clean it - no water! The water jets were frozen. I thought they should have been heated and would have defrosted along with the mirrors and rear window, so I pushed that button again. 10 minutes later, still no water. Pushed the button for a third time after it clicked off. After a fairly long commute due to a detour, I got to work after about 50 minutes of driving and the windscreen jets were STILL frozen. Just a dribble of water coming out.
I am sure that my previous E60 would squirt water just after a few minutes. So;
1) Should the E60 have heated windscreen jets?
2) If so, when should they heat, all the time or only when the rear window/mirror defroster is on?
Before I go off to the dealer to have this looked at, I'd appreciate any input ... any of you guys in -6.0 oC or colder having the same problem as me?
I am sure that my previous E60 would squirt water just after a few minutes. So;
1) Should the E60 have heated windscreen jets?
2) If so, when should they heat, all the time or only when the rear window/mirror defroster is on?
Before I go off to the dealer to have this looked at, I'd appreciate any input ... any of you guys in -6.0 oC or colder having the same problem as me?
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Originally Posted by Russ1974' post='507584' date='Dec 17 2007, 04:20 AM
We had a cold morning today in the UK (please, no comments from people in proper countries where you get REALLLLY cold weather, everything is relative!!). It was -6.0 oC, so I started the car running for a good 15 minutes to defrost everything before I had to leave. Most things were fairly decently defrosted, so off I went. After about 10 minutes of driving the windscreen was quite mucky from all the spray off the road, so i tried to clean it - no water! The water jets were frozen. I thought they should have been heated and would have defrosted along with the mirrors and rear window, so I pushed that button again. 10 minutes later, still no water. Pushed the button for a third time after it clicked off. After a fairly long commute due to a detour, I got to work after about 50 minutes of driving and the windscreen jets were STILL frozen. Just a dribble of water coming out.
I am sure that my previous E60 would squirt water just after a few minutes. So;
1) Should the E60 have heated windscreen jets?
2) If so, when should they heat, all the time or only when the rear window/mirror defroster is on?
Before I go off to the dealer to have this looked at, I'd appreciate any input ... any of you guys in -6.0 oC or colder having the same problem as me?
I am sure that my previous E60 would squirt water just after a few minutes. So;
1) Should the E60 have heated windscreen jets?
2) If so, when should they heat, all the time or only when the rear window/mirror defroster is on?
Before I go off to the dealer to have this looked at, I'd appreciate any input ... any of you guys in -6.0 oC or colder having the same problem as me?
Found this topic about the same thing here
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry201368
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It's cold(er) here in Scandinavia this week (I had to shoot at least three ice bears just to get my morning paper, and I won't tell you how difficult it was to find my car, buried in the frozen tundra deep underneath my small igloo) so I'll give it a try to see if it works for me.
Otherwise I always try to avoid using the washer jets in the cold, not because of the jets, but the windscreen wipers doesn't like the treatment, not to mention the windscreen's reaction when small gravel get smeared all over the place.
Otherwise I always try to avoid using the washer jets in the cold, not because of the jets, but the windscreen wipers doesn't like the treatment, not to mention the windscreen's reaction when small gravel get smeared all over the place.
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Thanks, and for the link to the other thread - seems that nobody really came up with a difinitive answer. Still, I have phoned my dealer, they said it's not working properly, so I'm taking the car in tomorrow.
There is only one thing worse than using your wipers and spraying water on them when the windscreen is covered in grit. And that is using your wipers and having NO WATER SPRAY, and hearing the wipers going "scrape / crunch" as they smear and grind the grit in to your dry windscreen !!
There is only one thing worse than using your wipers and spraying water on them when the windscreen is covered in grit. And that is using your wipers and having NO WATER SPRAY, and hearing the wipers going "scrape / crunch" as they smear and grind the grit in to your dry windscreen !!
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Just a quick thought (talking to myself here...). In the morning when it is cold, I use the "start engine, switch off, remove key, start engine without key" trick, so i can go in the house and leave the car running whilst being able to lock it and take the keys back in the house with me. When I get back to the car, I put the key in the slot but it is still running in "key not in slot" mode. I wonder whether that could make any difference... maybe not all systems power on when starting the car without the key?
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Our washer jets is heated, and work just fine in freezing tempratures, but our is not a LCI...
BTW: Your start-engine procedure -6C, is NOT good for your car and the enviroment. Letting the engine idle for 15 min in -6C is no good... Pre heat, start it, and drive !
I've an electric heater installed, and use it every morning.. It's connected for 2 hours, and when I start the car, i reach operating temprature quite fast If you don't have an electric socket close to your car, consider a Webasto diesel heater - better for you, the car and the enviroment
BTW: Your start-engine procedure -6C, is NOT good for your car and the enviroment. Letting the engine idle for 15 min in -6C is no good... Pre heat, start it, and drive !
I've an electric heater installed, and use it every morning.. It's connected for 2 hours, and when I start the car, i reach operating temprature quite fast If you don't have an electric socket close to your car, consider a Webasto diesel heater - better for you, the car and the enviroment
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Originally Posted by E60Sim' post='507614' date='Dec 17 2007, 05:55 AM
I've an electric heater installed, and use it every morning.. It's connected for 2 hours, and when I start the car, i reach operating temprature quite fast If you don't have an electric socket close to your car, consider a Webasto diesel heater - better for you, the car and the enviroment
And, technically, because I am contributing to global warming, this will mean that in a few years it won't be -6.0 oC in the morning, meaning I will no longer have to pre-heat my car, so it will all balance out in the end. And not only will we not need to preheat our cars once global warming kicks in nicely, but we will use less central heating, thus even further reducing pollution. So actually by preheating my car I am doing my bit for future generations. If my parents had been more considerate and polluted more, I would be waking up to 25oC sunshine, not -6.0oC ice.
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='507622' date='Dec 17 2007, 06:51 AM
Russ, this may be a silly question but did you happen to refill the resevoir with plain water at any time throughout the year?
The pipes weren't frozen as water was dribbling out the end. The nozzles themselves were quite clearly covered in visible ice.