What is the black jug on the passenger side next to my firewall?

[jsmonsoon]

Hello All-- I'm a new E24- 1985 635 Csi owner, and poster here. I love my new car, and have spent 3 months bringing her back. MOST everything is back now-- I say most because I have a hunch we will never be finished-- but I have no idea what the black jug next to the firewall on the passenger side is for. It is empty, so it concerns me a bit. Thanks for answering such a dumb question--

[Bert Poliakoff]

High intensity windshield washer reservoir

[Shipper]

+1, but I thought this was just on the M6? Should sit in the same small bay as the windscreen wipers and air fan but hard to the right? Check that it has two 5mm plastic tubes running from it up the RHS of the engine bay and into the bonnet (hood). I have only seen these on M6's here in Aus.

[JRanmann]

I have such a 'stein' just there (Pass. firewall) on my '83 633 and IIRC it's controlled with a relay on the fuse box panel...?

Personally I like to mix my own brew as the paint usually can't take the stronger mix thrown off by the wipers and then the brew tends to etch the shine off the roof, hence it's been on prohibition since i can remember...

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh93/JRanmann/washer.jpg

[AlaskaBimmer]

I actually was wondering how the whole wiper fluid system works, I put stuff in both tanks and the still don't get any wiper juice out of the jets...When I push in the stalk one of those pumps goes for a few seconds and stops and nothing comes out.

[M6csi]

I actually was wondering how the whole wiper fluid system works, I put stuff in both tanks and the still don't get any wiper juice out of the jets...When I push in the stalk one of those pumps goes for a few seconds and stops and nothing comes out.

Probably clogged nozzles, time for 2 new ones.

[JRanmann]

******?

The system may have a leak in the water hoses, but more likely is clogged with mineral deposits. Lift the bonnet (hood) and check out the integrity of the hoses to and from both pumps. The concentrate as I say makes it mixable with regular water but it may be too harsh for your paint, etc. The reservoir that's down low opposite the battery is the one that may not hold liquid as it's cracked or something. Compressed air might clear the lines, etc but don't use pins or sharp objects in the jets...remove them if you can and soak them in CLR or some similar bath.

[ozbmw]

+1, but I thought this was just on the M6? Should sit in the same small bay as the windscreen wipers and air fan but hard to the right? Check that it has two 5mm plastic tubes running from it up the RHS of the engine bay and into the bonnet (hood). I have only seen these on M6's here in Aus.

My 635CSi has this, maybe the older ones did not.

[catseye]

My 635CSi has this, maybe the older ones did not.
my '85 635 has it.

[Zack01GC]

My 633 has an Intensive Cleaner reservoir, too.

[jsmonsoon]

Many Thanks to you all for the great feedback. I will fill it and let you know how it does-- JSmonsoon

[jbd5015]

my 83 had one...i got rid of it in favor of less complicated hose mess.

-Jeff