My washer jets on the windscreen have been losing pressure for ages now, about a month ago, they stopped, so i took the pipe off the jets and blew down them to clear the filter. They worked fine for a while, now totally stopped again.

What kind of a job is it to access the pumps and filters in my washer bottle system? Its an '07 pre-LCI 520d SE saloon, without the jets for the headlights. I expect it will involve removing the passenger side inner arch to get to it, does anyone have any info on how this is done please? as i don't fancy paying the dealer to do it...

 

Yep ur right. Start by turning the wheels to the far left and then move on to remove the inner arch. Just removing the outer bottom screws (2 in all) should give you access to the washer fluid tank. I think you will need something to jack the car up as there is not enough clearance for the pump. I managed to repair a broken sensor this way.

 

Sounds like a lot work just to get to a tank. Why do they build these cars so complicated?

 

If the reverse flush (air blown back through the jets) worked it sounds like you have debris in the tank that is collecting and re-clogging line and / or pump filters. That's one reason for using distilled water and strain water through a filter when refilling.

 

I've had to "reverse blow" about once a year now. I remember my E39 had a filter at the filler cap which for some reason BMW dropped from the E60...

 

Yeah, i use good clean water with the screen wash concentrate, but it would appear that its previous owner has been just throwing anything into the tank, i've only had it 2 months, thats the only thing going wrong at the moment, thank god! Its still got until the end of march with manufacturers warranty, so i'll be trying that route before i get the tools out!

 

I hope these pics might be of use to you. Car is 2008 535i without headlight washers. The pump motor is located close to the bottom on the side of the tank facing the tire. The tank in the pics is filled with yellow Rain-X. The inner fender is pliable and bendable. I believe only four parts were remvoed for these shots: bumper, headlight, fender, fender liner.

 

Thanks for the info guys, its booked into the garage on Friday, so lets see what they say, i've given instructions that if its included in warranty, fix it, if not, put it back together, i'll pick it up and do it myself...

 

You don't have to go and crash your car to get to the windscreen washer water tank like in Gilgorm pics!! Part removal of the wheel arch liner allows access per Rene525d.

I found it best to avoid windscreen washer additive added to plain tap water as the tap water contains traces of algae which grow and block tubes and jets. Best to use ready mixed or additive in distilled water.

 

I just purchased the BMW concentrate after using the cheap stuff form auto stores. I have to tell you there is a big difference that is worth the slightly extra price.
The BMW concentrate atomizes into small droplets compared to the stream you get from the cheap stuff and it cleans the glass streak free.
When I went to the parts service area the BMW techs were pouring the in the cheap stuff for their customers and I thought it was a shame that they do not use the stuff from BMW.
I am all about saving money but for $3.00 it was well worth it.