Is BMW/Mini screenwash needed to stop blocked up pipes?

[g3org3y]

My sister has recently purchased an '08 1.6 Cooper.

I understand there are stories of BMWs which have suffered gunged up washer pipes as a result of using 'non OEM' screenwash.

Is this the same situation on the MINI (and consequently should she only use MINI/BMW screenwash)?

TIA

[Jeff J]

If you change to different brands of screen wash, flush out the washer bottle with clean water, you shouldn't suffer gunge build in the head of the washer pump / pipes,due to the build up of bacteria.

[Jeff J]

If you change to different brands of screen wash, flush out the washer bottle with clean water, you shouldn't suffer gunge build in the head of the washer pump / pipes,due to the build up of bacteria.

[cjb1]

I had a similar experience to this but on a different car. It turned out using washing up liquid instead of proper screen washer fluid can cause the pipes to gunch up, a chemical reaction occurs.

[helix402]

No.

[DanGT]

Its BS just got a 116BMW with the screen wash problem. It's always had BMW screen wash and came from BMW. Its the only car I have had this problem with. I think it is the BMW screen wash, the list of cars with this problem on line are nearly all BMW and different models. After a long talk and a possible bil of £180 for a clean up (no parts) they did do the work for free (car still warranted). Don't think BMW will say it's there fault.

[patenttoast]

Always use shell premixed stuff (no heated washers) and they seem to be as powerful as the day the car arrived.

[DavidLScott]

I always had problems with my BMWs and Minis with non BMW screen wash.

I've never had problems with BMW stuff.

I bought a 25litre barrel from Cotswold BMW and dilute that.
Two Minis and one BMW, two of them with headlight wash, soon uses it up.

[vikingaero]

Get a pipette from an old medicine bottle. Fill medicine bottle with Dettol. Use any old screenwash. Add one or two drops of Dettol (or similar) to screenwash. No gunge.

[Pip1968]

I have had to clean out an BMW e39 and a Mini R53 both of which had a wallpaper type gunge in the bottle. It may be lack of use build up over time or the use of washing up liquid but I doubt it is down to non BMW fluid.

Pip