Z4 E89 washer jet problem – help please

[Vroomer]

I'm getting just a dribble of water out of the washer jets. There's no obvious blockage and the water tank is full. MoT due shortly so urgent advice needed.

Thanks

[robscot]

Intake at the base of the tank will be blocked with gunk - pop a hosepipe when on in the tank and jiggle it around that area sorted it for a mate.

[ric19]

Fairly easy..just a blade down the back of the reservoir to push a clip in and then pinch the two clips in the locator at the front, I found it easier to pull the 2 motors out after removing there electrical connectors first. Just be aware the water hoses have little clips which you have to retract to dissengage the hose and be careful of the level sensor underneath as the wire is quite short and if you yank the tank out it may pull a wire out so tip the front up and you should be able to gain access and then disconnect. To clean the filters its just a matter of forcing the grommets out of their holes, I used some rat nosed pliers to get either side and just levered them out. Washed the filters under a running tap and used a cocktail stick to get all the gunk out.

[Mr Tidy]

I've had the gunked up filters issue in an E46 and an E86.

I found an old toothbrush worked a treat to clean them up.

After I'd finished I only ever used the same brand of screenwash and never had an issue again with either of them - it seems using different brands, especially mixing OE BMW stuff with another brand, can be a contributory factor.

[helix402]

Your washer pump filter is blocked. Remove s wash reservoir. Remove pump. Remove filter. Clean. Reassembly is the reverse of removal. Fill up. Fixed.

[g3org3y]

^What they said

(Will not start a debate on using only BMW screenwash...but I find consistency of screenwash use (i.e. not mixing types) reduces gunking risk).

[Kuroblack350]

Had exactly this on my M4. If you are not particularly mechanically minded, clumsy (me) or just don’t have the time, it’s around £160 at the dealer including a full tank of new fluid. (And the remainder of the 5L not used)

[Vroomer]

Thanks for all the advice.

I've been very careful to use only BMW washer fluid after gunking issues on a previous BMW.

Anyway, I put a hose in, gave it a good blast, then syphoned out the dirty water. I repeated this until clear.

I then tried the washers. Hey presto, washers were working, so I kept them on to make sure everything had cleared through.

Then the washer motor died!

Perhaps the fuse has blown.

Groan.