Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-05-2010, 09:03 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 19
xfizzle is on a distinguished road
Why the windshield washer pumps fail for everyone

So we have a 2001 X5 and a 2002 325 wagon, in one month four out of five of the washer pumps failed. The dealer brought the first one to our attention when the 325 was in for service and said $140 to fix. I said no thank you. You can get the pumps on eBay for $15 each with free shipping--the ones in the X5 don't even need any tools to replace and is literally a 3 minute job. So afterward I smashed open one of the broken pumps and much to my suspicion I found that it was rusted to all hell. So basically the pumps fail because the seal between the motor and the pump area eventually leaks with age and rusts out the motor and then no more windshield washing fluid goodness. The SA actually told me "washer pump electrode loop was indicating a fault"--I think he tried to scare me away from doing a DIY repair because he knew how easy it would be.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 02-06-2010, 02:59 AM
m5james's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kirkland, WA to Alexandria, VA - Now in Marysville, WA
Posts: 4,001
m5james is on a distinguished road
Scare tactics and fancy wording is what scares away most people. Fuel transfer technicians in Oregon use these tactics to get the ladies
__________________

650hp 10 X5///M - Stage 2, Vibrant 1794's , gutted cats, custom intake, AC Forged 22's
325hp 98 BMW 740iL - ///M5 6spd, www.bavengine.com w/ Performance Option, electric fan, CF intake tube w/ heatshield, Mag 14816 w/ notched bumper, Bilstein/H&R Stage II/Powerflex

600+hp 02 Harley F150 - MHP900 Stage 3 engine, KB2.3, 8# lower, 60# inj, Walbro FP's

135hp 01 TL1000R - M4 full exhaust, K&N, Yosh box, -1/+2 gears, 2CT's
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-22-2010, 12:02 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: X5World
Posts: 120
scchang is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by xfizzle View Post
You can get the pumps on eBay for $15 each with free shipping.
Have you had any issues with the eBay pump?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-22-2010, 12:08 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 19
xfizzle is on a distinguished road
None. As far as I can tell, the pumps on eBay are the exact same as the OEM pumps. They look identical.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-22-2010, 01:07 PM
AZX54.4's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Phoenix,AZ
Posts: 456
AZX54.4 is on a distinguished road
I think I need to replace the windshield washer pump on my 02 x5. Could you give a little DIY explanation on how to remove the old pump and put the new one in, Do i need to remove the washer tank? Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-22-2010, 01:40 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 19
xfizzle is on a distinguished road
Without pics, here goes:
No tools required. No need to remove the washer fluid tank. My car is a 3.0 so I'm thinking the 4.4 has the same washer tank and in the same spot. The tank is big and white and if you are looking at the car from the front with the hood up, it will be on the left in the back. I think the cap is marked with a big 7.8L. The pump is on the back side. When you remove and replace the pump, some washer fluid is going to leak from the tank during the time it is all disconnected. It's only a little mess but you should do the repair in the driveway and then mop up any spills when you are done. It's really only going to be a couple ounces of washer fluid.

1. Remove the wiring harness from the pump--I think it's just a squeeze and pull connector. The pump is just held on to the tank with giant clips molded into the tank.

2. Look at your new pump--you will see two places for water connections--at the very bottom of the pump and the little spigot shooting off to the side.

3. Remove the hose from the spigot on the old pump--just wiggle and pull. At this point washer fluid will begin to come out of the spigot.

4. Then pull the pump straight up to remove it from the tank--now the washer fluid will be leaking from the tank where you removed the pump.

5. Put the new pump in by simply just pushing it in to the tank where the old pump was.

6. Put the hose on the spigot--push and wiggle it on.

7. You're done.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-22-2010, 02:18 PM
Bimmer Ese's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 576
Bimmer Ese is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by xfizzle View Post
The SA actually told me "washer pump electrode loop was indicating a fault"--I think he tried to scare me away from doing a DIY repair because he knew how easy it would be.
Hahaha...should that go along with the blinker fluid actuator diagnosis line too?
__________________
2012 Enclave
2010 F-150 XLT
2001 330i
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-22-2010, 02:24 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 19
xfizzle is on a distinguished road
The best is when they tell you that "your piston return spring needs to tightened".
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-22-2010, 02:40 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Bryant, Arkansas
Posts: 71
rlabair is on a distinguished road
Hey guys, on this topic, is there a separate washer pump for the rear window? My front works but the rear does not.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-22-2010, 03:02 PM
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 37
fcx56 is on a distinguished road
Rear window

To continue hijacking the thread in the same vein as rlabair my rear flid dispenser puts out washer fluid but it doesn't mist over the window, just runs down in one stream. I always assumed I would need to replace the nozzle at the end because it must have been damaged but after reading this thread I wonder if it is possibly being caused by inadequite pressure from the pump? Sorry for the ongoing hijack, carry on...
__________________
2003 X5 3.0i Manual, Premium, Sport, Nav, Cold Weather, Intravee II, Dinan Throttlebody & Engine Software
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:51 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.