hi...a month ago i picked a pre-owned 2008 328xi wagon that was always serviced by the previous owner at the dealer...4 1/2 years old, 46k miles...out of warranty now...
problem: low washer fluid light came on and it took me a couple weeks to get it filled...today, i had it filled to the top...immediately noticed the fluid running out under the car - directly under the tank..a steady stream - definitely not a trickle...i drove off and stopped 15 minutes or so later and there was no stream coming out - but shortly after, the low washer fluid light came on...
the washer pump works fine and there's definitely some amount of fluid still in the tank - so i'm pretty sure the tank isn't cracked on the bottom...so i'm thinking its the strainer gasket thing attached to the pump of a cracked rubber tube or connector...
i've read some posts/threads on this problem and it looks like i can diagnose it myself...requires me to pull the passenger side wheel and wheel-well trim off to get at it...have learned that it could be caused by a leak where the pump connects to the strainer gasket thing...could also leak where the rubber tubes attaches on the bottom of the assembly...having seen pix of the entire washer assembly and seeing where the washer sensor is - it's unclear if the sensor is above the bottom of the pump/strainer gasket or where the rubber tubing attaches to the horizontal pump male connector...having some idea if its the strainer gasket versus a potential rubber tubing issue before i pull the wheel will help...not sure if i should pick up a strainer gasket to have it on hand or not...
any advice on the potential area of the leak based on the sensor and the stream that i described is helpful...thanks...R
problem: low washer fluid light came on and it took me a couple weeks to get it filled...today, i had it filled to the top...immediately noticed the fluid running out under the car - directly under the tank..a steady stream - definitely not a trickle...i drove off and stopped 15 minutes or so later and there was no stream coming out - but shortly after, the low washer fluid light came on...
the washer pump works fine and there's definitely some amount of fluid still in the tank - so i'm pretty sure the tank isn't cracked on the bottom...so i'm thinking its the strainer gasket thing attached to the pump of a cracked rubber tube or connector...
i've read some posts/threads on this problem and it looks like i can diagnose it myself...requires me to pull the passenger side wheel and wheel-well trim off to get at it...have learned that it could be caused by a leak where the pump connects to the strainer gasket thing...could also leak where the rubber tubes attaches on the bottom of the assembly...having seen pix of the entire washer assembly and seeing where the washer sensor is - it's unclear if the sensor is above the bottom of the pump/strainer gasket or where the rubber tubing attaches to the horizontal pump male connector...having some idea if its the strainer gasket versus a potential rubber tubing issue before i pull the wheel will help...not sure if i should pick up a strainer gasket to have it on hand or not...
any advice on the potential area of the leak based on the sensor and the stream that i described is helpful...thanks...R