[chmsalman]

Hey guys,

Every couple months my windshield washer light goes off. I open up the hood and pour down a whole bottle of the stuff and the light rightly goes away. I barely use the fluid and eventually another two months later the light comes back.

It's either an EXTREMELY slow leak or I was thinking the fluid might be evaporating? Any ideas?

I've been using the -45C stuff from Canadian Tire since winters in Saskatoon are very rough.

No more warranty on the car, not sure if its work going to the dealer and getting this checked out.

[chatoyer]

Doubt it would evaporate as the reservoir wouldn't get hot enough, I don't think. Could be a leak, as you say, in either the hose or reservoir itself.

[Squark]

I had a similar problem and it was a leak in my pump. It was a slow drip under the passenger wheel well.

[Maniac0908]

Originally Posted by Squark

I had a similar problem and it was a leak in my pump. It was a slow drip under the passenger wheel well.

Same here... I still havnt fixed it

[chmsalman]

Originally Posted by Squark

I had a similar problem and it was a leak in my pump. It was a slow drip under the passenger wheel well.

Did you take it back to the dealer to fix? Any idea on what it might cost? If its an expensive fix I think I'll just leave it for a bit until it gets worse. I don't mind spending 3 dollars every month to top it up.

[Squark]

I wasn't under warranty, so I replaced the pump myself. I think it was ~$50 for the part and maybe took an hour to replace. You have to take off the passenger wheel and wheel well liner, and the tank and pump are tucked back in there. There's probably a DIY somewhere on the forum.

[chmsalman]

Originally Posted by Squark

I wasn't under warranty, so I replaced the pump myself. I think it was ~$50 for the part and maybe took an hour to replace. You have to take off the passenger wheel and wheel well liner, and the tank and pump are tucked back in there. There's probably a DIY somewhere on the forum.

Thanks for your response. Do you feel it was necessary to replace the whole pump? Is it not possible to just seal the leak somehow?

[Squark]

Originally Posted by chmsalman

Thanks for your response. Do you feel it was necessary to replace the whole pump? Is it not possible to just seal the leak somehow?

It depends on where the leak is. In my case an internal seal in the pump had failed, so the fluid was leaking out of the pump housing and I had to replace the entire pump. I read somewhere about someone who used silicone or something similar to plug the weep holes on the pump and buy some time. That could work, but I opted for a new pump so I wouldn't have to redo the job in the future.

[chmsalman]

Makes sense, thanks!

[wayzma]

I am having the exact same problem right now, topped up with 2.5 jug of windex blue washer fluid in February, was away for 3 weeks in March, and now my washer fluid light came on again... Did you get yours fixed yet?

[chmsalman]

No, I didn't get mine fixed. Maybe something I'll do in the future but I'm not willing to spend the money on something I don't care too much for. I top it up for 3 bucks and have noticed that if I just don't use the fluid, it never leaks. The moment I engage the pump once, the slow leak will start.

I have a car wash season pass so I don't really ever feel the need for the washer fluid anyway. As long as it's full and the dash light doesn't come on, I couldn't be bothered.

[smithf80]

I just fixed this. Hairline crack on my pump so I sealed it with loctite and its been fine since.

[chmsalman]

Originally Posted by smithe90

I just fixed this. Hairline crack on my pump so I sealed it with loctite and its been fine since.

Can you tell us how you did it? Was it an easy fix?

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by chmsalman

Can you tell us how you did it? Was it an easy fix?

First, see if you notice any water leaking by your passenger fender.

You fix it by taking off the wheel, then taking off all of the wheel well plastic lining. Now you will see the reservoir, one bolt holds it in. You remove that and pull it out, Then you can remove the pump from the reservoir by pulling straight up on it, at which point you can inspect for cracks.

Theres a DIY on the board with pics.

[chmsalman]

Thanks! Might look into it this summer when I have some time. I've never actually noticed the leak anywhere, its super slow.

[E90_831]

taking my car into the dealer for this tomorrow.

[cdgatti]

Another place to check for leaks is the headlight washers if you have them. I have had the pump leak failure where the pump was replaced, then i developed a leak at the driver side washer, ughh. Have to take the whole bumper off to fix it.

[chmsalman]

Originally Posted by E90_831

taking my car into the dealer for this tomorrow.

Covered under warranty? Let us know how it goes.

I don't have the headlight washers, I'm pretty sure it's my pump. Spoke to the dealer yesterday, he said it'd be around the $250 mark...

[E90_831]

Originally Posted by chmsalman

Covered under warranty? Let us know how it goes.

I don't have the headlight washers, I'm pretty sure it's my pump. Spoke to the dealer yesterday, he said it'd be around the $250 mark...

Took it in on friday, they filled it up and said it wasn't leaking. It didn't leak at all friday when I picked it up and no signs of leakage yesterday. Walked out to my garage this morning to a puddle of washer fluid laying on the ground.

My SA told me that washer pumps cracking and the feed pipe is a common thing for these to leak from.

Taking it back in tomorrow to have them address this.

[BMWinAZ]

This is a very common e90 problem. My Indy shop charged me around 130 to get it fixed, my warranty company paid for it minus the 50 deductible.

[mlifxs]

just did this fix. ~ $30 for the pump at Autopartsway and an hour of my time. Works great now.

[chmsalman]

how hard was it to diy?