Washers keep failing to work.

[srichards]

For some reason the washers keep failing in such a way as you can hear the pump working but no actual washer fluid gets onto the screen. It's pumping it god knows where else.

At one point a pipe was getting trapped in the bonnet somewhere but it isn't trapped where it was before. I deliberately haven't opened the bonnet since the last time it was fixed and working and the stupid things have stopped working again for no reason. They were working last week. I take the car out today and they're not working. Washer bottle is more than half full.

The pipework snakes everywhere and it must be because bmw tried to be clever and put the washer nozzles in the bonnet. I put the bonnet up and tried it but still no water to jets. It pours out of the bottom somewhere instead, soaking god knows what important stuff with washer fluid so it isn't a pipe getting trapped under the bonnet.

Any idea where this daft pipe is either coming off or getting trapped?

[ladders]

Hi, I too had no water at the jets, and water going somewhere. My Indy removed the sound proofing,the water was coming out of what appear to be non return valves attached to the jets, he removed these and has ordered new ones.In the meantime they work but it takes a little while for the water to come.

[bertiejaffa]

The washer tank gets dunked up in crap after 20 years and so might well need removing and giving a clean, Ive had this on both Zeds and my old 3 series.

[srichards]

Washer tank is fairly clean. The fluid is pouring out somewhere but not where it's supposed to go. It's definitely making its way out of the bottle and part way down the pipes. I don't think it is making it as far as under the bonnet as I couldn't see water pouring out from under the bonnet cover. It was coming out down the back of the front wheel somewhere.

[Del]

The washer tank gets dunked up in crap after 20 years and so might well need removing and giving a clean, Ive had this on both Zeds and my old 3 series.

I would second this. The tanks are big on the Z3 (5 litre) and water stands around, unused for a while on many Z3s and you get a sort of "frogspawn/mould sludge" at the bottom causing blockages. It is common.

[Southernboy]

It's not a very complicated system and easy enough to strip out the car in 20 minutes. That'll allow you to closely inspect, clean and check everything. Replace any pipes which are broken / blocked etc. Also, if you have recently waxed the car, it is common to get wax into the little jet nozzles which will block them. The water will try to escape anywhere it can once you activate the pump, and if the jets are blocked, it needs to go elsewhere...so check they are clear. Other advice regarding the reservoir is a must check / clean. Also, the pump may be "whirring", but it doesn't mean it's actually pumping water... again, easy enough to check.

[srichards]

It's definitely pumping water.. it's pouring it out of the engine bay onto the ground

[bertiejaffa]

Ive seen it where a blockage in the jet means that the pipe comes off the back of the jet with the pressure - id probably start there and work backwards

[peter2b]

you can prize off the clips that hold on the sound proof matting under the bonnet, the feed pipe is held on by clips then splits into 2 ,1 for each jet it could be the T piece connection has come apart
peter2b

[srichards]

The pipe itself was falling to bits and has been replaced. It wasn't blocked up in any way at all. Driver's door also wasn't shutting properly. Again. Had that adjusted yet again.

[Southernboy]

Great stuff - washers working again then?

[srichards]

Seems so Wipers now squeaking like a stuck pig so will have to change those next

[Boosh]

Little hassles more than made up for by the pleasure of driving the car...