Windshield washer pump failed?

JingChai · 07-26-2022, 06:38 PM

The windshield fluid leaked out behind the passenger side tire and now when I try to activate the windshield washer, the windshield wiper just wipes and nothing gets sprayed on my windshield.

I decided to test out if there was a leak with the windshield fluid tank and poured a bit of water into the tank. Not a drop of water leaked out from behind the tire. I tried to spray on my windshield and there's still nothing coming out even though there's water in the tank.

Based on that, I'm guessing the pump itself failed and leaked fluid everywhere? Has anyone else experience this before?

mainbearing · 07-26-2022, 07:01 PM

This is a very common problem.

In my case a rubber grommet seal failed and allowed fluid from the impeller chamber into the motor area. There is a weep hole in the motor area, allowing the fluid to leak out. Some YT use glue to seal that weep hole. Don't! Use a new pump.

I used a $6 Uro pump and a new $2 filter tip. See: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1659861
You can see the failed grommet (probably shrunk and allowed fluid past) on the motor here.

mainbearing · 07-26-2022, 07:06 PM

My pump still worked and made noise. Another member's did not make noise. Look what happened to that pump. I think BMW should just use Toyota's Denso windshield fluid pump.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1818402

JingChai · 07-26-2022, 07:11 PM

Ah that makes sense, I found a Youtube video on how to get access to the pump behind the fender.

Thanks!

JingChai · 09-02-2022, 05:48 PM

One thing that I want to confirm is according to the Bentley manual, the Front wheel arch trim : Expanding Rivet can't be reused once they are removed and need to be replaced, correct? If so, would I need to get 3 of these?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vai...et-51161881149

e90yyc · 09-02-2022, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JingChai

One thing that I want to confirm is according to the Bentley manual, the Front wheel arch trim : Expanding Rivet can't be reused once they are removed and need to be replaced, correct? If so, would I need to get 3 of these?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vai...et-51161881149

Correct. If you’re very careful and manage to save/find the center pin then I believe you can reuse them, but I would bank on just replacing them.

(Memory a bit hazy on this one.)

mainbearing · 09-02-2022, 07:18 PM

When I popped out the center "pins", they refuse to stay in or had any effect. The used rivets were useless.

Since I did not have any on hand, I just left them out. There is still a slight gap but nothing I would worry about.

I do not see those (51161881149) rivets being correct for the 2011 328i on Silver Springs BMW's site. Maybe contact them to find out.

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...et-51161881149

07-26-2022, 06:38 PM	#1
JingChai Lieutenant 157 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Windshield washer pump failed? The windshield fluid leaked out behind the passenger side tire and now when I try to activate the windshield washer, the windshield wiper just wipes and nothing gets sprayed on my windshield. I decided to test out if there was a leak with the windshield fluid tank and poured a bit of water into the tank. Not a drop of water leaked out from behind the tire. I tried to spray on my windshield and there's still nothing coming out even though there's water in the tank. Based on that, I'm guessing the pump itself failed and leaked fluid everywhere? Has anyone else experience this before?
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07-26-2022, 07:01 PM	#2
mainbearing Lieutenant Colonel 1085 Rep 1,682 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	This is a very common problem. In my case a rubber grommet seal failed and allowed fluid from the impeller chamber into the motor area. There is a weep hole in the motor area, allowing the fluid to leak out. Some YT use glue to seal that weep hole. Don't! Use a new pump. I used a $6 Uro pump and a new $2 filter tip. See: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1659861 You can see the failed grommet (probably shrunk and allowed fluid past) on the motor here.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2022, 07:06 PM	#3
mainbearing Lieutenant Colonel 1085 Rep 1,682 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	My pump still worked and made noise. Another member's did not make noise. Look what happened to that pump. I think BMW should just use Toyota's Denso windshield fluid pump. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1818402
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2022, 07:11 PM	#4
JingChai Lieutenant 157 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Ah that makes sense, I found a Youtube video on how to get access to the pump behind the fender. Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2022, 05:48 PM	#5
JingChai Lieutenant 157 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	One thing that I want to confirm is according to the Bentley manual, the Front wheel arch trim : Expanding Rivet can't be reused once they are removed and need to be replaced, correct? If so, would I need to get 3 of these? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vai...et-51161881149
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-02-2022, 07:18 PM	#7
mainbearing Lieutenant Colonel 1085 Rep 1,682 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	When I popped out the center "pins", they refuse to stay in or had any effect. The used rivets were useless. Since I did not have any on hand, I just left them out. There is still a slight gap but nothing I would worry about. I do not see those (51161881149) rivets being correct for the 2011 328i on Silver Springs BMW's site. Maybe contact them to find out. https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...et-51161881149
	Appreciate 0 Quote