Leaking Washer Fluid Bottle Fix

Those of you who don’t perform DIY maintenance and repairs on your 6 can stop reading now.

Leaks from the windshield/headlight washer tank are a fairly common occurrence on the current 6 and contemporary 5 series models. On the 6, the tank is located in the front fender well ahead of the front tire, so access is a pain and involves jacking up the car, removing the driver’s side front wheel, and unbolting/peeling back the wheel well liner. You will see two pumps that are press fit/clipped into the back side of the tank, seated in elastomer grommet/filter assemblies. If you don’t do your BMW forum research (as I foolishly didn’t), your first guess at the problem will likely be that one or both of the grommets have failed. They’re inexpensive ($2-3 each), so that’s a cheap/easy fix. Unfortunately, they aren’t the problem. Your next guess might be (as mine was) that the tank itself is the culprit, but will find, another $50+ later, that it isn’t.

Long story short, the issue is the smaller of the two pumps, P/N 67 12 6 934 159 (about $45). An internal check valve fails and allows fluid to leak, though a visual inspection makes it look like the leak is from the tank/grommet area. Save yourself a lot of time/effort/money/swearing and learn from my mistake – replace the washer fluid pump first.

On a related note, I’d like to offer an unsolicited plug for Tischer BMW (getbmwparts.com). In my experience they offer the lowest prices online for OEM parts, and very quick shipping.

had same problem, changed grommet.... still leaked, changed whole pump.... leak fixed.

Trying to fix same problem...hope it works.

Easy fix... Replaced whole pump = no more leaks

replaced headlight washer pump...problem fixed.

Thank you very much for this write-up! My washer fluid reservoir was leaking and I was able to remove the 6 screws in the driver's side tire liner and pull it back enough to replace the small motor with the rim and tire still attached to the car. I only had to turn the wheel in order to access the screws. The entire replacement process took me about 6 minutes. It was very easy to do and my leak is now fixed. It was not the rubber grommet, but it was the small headlight washer motor as you suggested. I replaced it with a Myle-brand part which was only $39 shipped to my door.

Thanks for the write up, I currently have a leak also and i'm going to attempt this when it starts to get warmer.

Is this the part? http://www.4wheelsautoparts.com/bmw-...p-p-11263.html ? Matches the P/n with OP but it's so much cheaper. Definetly going to try it without removing the wheel.

Originally Posted by cracksquad

Thanks for the write up, I currently have a leak also and i'm going to attempt this when it starts to get warmer.

Is this the part? http://www.4wheelsautoparts.com/bmw-...p-p-11263.html ? Matches the P/n with OP but it's so much cheaper. Definetly going to try it without removing the wheel.

Yeah, that's the part you need. I saw that cheap Vemo one too, but I don't know who the heck that company is. So I went for the Meyle part which I know makes good stuff and was still a lot cheaper than the OEM. You don't need to wait till it gets warm. I did this in 5 minutes with only a small socket wrench and it was about 35-degrees out in NJ. No need to jack up the car even. Just turn the wheel towards the right and you will get to all the screws that you need to. Unscrew about 5 of them and you can then peel back the lining. All you have to do is pull the pump up and out and disconnect the connector and the small downtube and install the new one in reverse. Easiest fix ever...

Good Luck.

Edit: I am in South Jersey about 10 minutes from Philly... PM me and I'll meet you somewhere around Rt. 130 halfway and do it for you if you get the part. It will only take 5 minutes... You don't want to wait until it gets warmer because this is the time of year that you will need your washers the most!

So, I think I have the same leak, but it doesnt leak every day, so far I have just seen it leak once and since then it hasnt leaked so I havent paid much attention. Is this the usual case or is this consistent and a daily occurence with you guys? If I wait to fix it does it eventually pose a potential bigger problem ? Thanks in advance guys!

I am on my 3rd pump now, they don't last too long. It only takes about 30 minutes to change them out.