[Radar314]

2019 X3 M40i
The front and rear windshield washers stopped spraying water. The reservoir was topped off. I only use summer type window cleaner solution. I can hear the pump whirring when I try to spray solution but nothing comes out. At first a few drops came out the spray heads, then nothing. Any simple things I can try?

[Alex C.]

Thats odd. Dumb question but since you’re using summer solution, was it below freezing last night? Maybe sediment got in the tank and clogged the lines?

[Radar314]

Being in South Florida the temperature does not go below freezing.

[Rbrown]

I had same problem with my wife's F25 X3.

Reservoir was blocked. Even though I had only ever used BMW solution for refilling reservoir, they said it wasn't covered by warranty.

Reluctantly, had to pay £300 (from memory) for them to strip it all down and replace the reservoir bottle. Seems to be a design fault.

Hope yours is something easier!!!

Good luck.

[WUR]

Search the Forum. I believe a while back there was a thread addressing this issue.

[smanji]

I had an issue where the reservoir failed to fill, i had to use a plunger to force the water down, its the first time I've had to fill it since purchasing the car in late 2018. I hope this isnt a sign of things to come. Its an awfully designed filling system

[dtox9]

Sounds to me like what happened to mine shortly after I brought it home... it had been sitting for several weeks on the lot.

If not cycled regularly, for whatever reason, this design causes the tank to grow bacteria at an accelerated rate... and clogs the bottom of the tank right before the pumps.

Shove a garden hose down there and flush the thing silly.............

(or take apart the wheel liner, remove the pumps, clean the bottom of the tank, and reassemble)

[M40i4me]

Be careful when you pop the foil seal on those washers bottles. If you don’t peel it right pieces we be floating around in the bottle and end up in your car which can’t be good.

[johndeere19]

Make sure all the tubing is properly connected. My CPO was shooting the fluid straight up under the hood because the tubing wasn't properly connected. Easy fix after that.

[zibbit]

My old F30 used to periodically become disconnected under the hood at the hinge. Maybe that's a similar situation to what you're experiencing.

[Ashsarhaz93]

Originally Posted by Radar314

2019 X3 M40i
The front and rear windshield washers stopped spraying water. The reservoir was topped off. I only use summer type window cleaner solution. I can hear the pump whirring when I try to spray solution but nothing comes out. At first a few drops came out the spray heads, then nothing. Any simple things I can try?

Just be aware that allegedly the only screenwash you should use in your G01 is BMW's own. I found out fortunately before I bought my car but it is a fairly common issue when other brands are used.

[ClaretFozzy]

I’ve had this on my 2019 M40d. It’s caused by gunk clogging the filter on the pump.

Lift the washer bottle cap. Pop the washer pipe off under the bonnet and blow compressed air through the lines back into the washer bottle. It soon clears it.

[Radar314]

I tried to remove the hose you suggest but I cannot seem to get it popped off. I do not want to just pull and break it. Can you please give me some more info on how to access this hose?

[ClaretFozzy]

You want to be disconnecting the hose under the bonnet in the top corner at the back of the engine (not that actual hose on the washer jets)

It’s a bit fiddly to undo because you need to gently pull up on the plastic release clip with a small flat headed screwdriver before pulling the pipe apart. Be very careful, though, as that type of fitting can break quite easily.

[Radar314]

My Service Adviser tells me it is a covered warranty repair. Seems like the only way to fix the problem is a through cleaning. My BMW is only 3 miles away and they provide a loaner vehicle. Our garages here in Florida can get into the nineties during the summer months and stuff grows under those conditions. Also, it is very rare that we ever use the windshield washer function. In the 28 months we have had the X3, maybe I have pressed the wash stalk 20 times. Maybe that is part of the problem.

[freshxdough]

Did you use a silicon based washer fluid???

[Lucky13]

This happened 5-6 times on my E92 in South Carolina. Dealer didn’t want to fix it after about the 4th time so my son said let's put some algaecide in it from the aquarium. It cleared up the gunk without removing anything.

[spta97]

I wonder if those AC pan tabs would work?

I literally have never used mine. I should check it.

[Radar314]

Since my BMW Adviser said it is covered, it just is not worth the work to do it myself. The algaecide, in some form is a good idea. I do not use any special type, like with silicone, type washer fluid. I do plan to use the washers more often in the future.

[Radar314]

BMW service fixed the problem. The tank was filled with whitish blue slime. The filter on the pump was totally blocked with it. The hose to the back wiper had to be blown out since it was blocked too. Covered under warranty for those wondering.
Lesson I learned: use the washers more often. Do not add any fluid over time but wait until the low level indicator comes on. That way you will get the freshest fluild in the system rather than keep diluting the entire tank. This is my solution based on low miles per year, hot summers and not using the washers very much.

[VrmmVrmm]

Silicone based / in the fluid.... is a known issue watch that you don't use a solution with silicone used in the product.

[JDsX3]

Originally Posted by Radar314

BMW service fixed the problem. The tank was filled with whitish blue slime. The filter on the pump was totally blocked with it. The hose to the back wiper had to be blown out since it was blocked too. Covered under warranty for those wondering.
Lesson I learned: use the washers more often. Do not add any fluid over time but wait until the low level indicator comes on. That way you will get the freshest fluild in the system rather than keep diluting the entire tank. This is my solution based on low miles per year, hot summers and not using the washers very much.

My back washer did not work (other than a few drops) when tested after reading this tread. Front is working fine. Like you, I rarely have occasion to use the wipers since we hardly get any rain year round. Only fluid in it is directly from BMW annual servicing.

Fortunately, it will go in for annual service in June and is still under warranty. I will let them resolve.