O-Ring for headlight washer pump

[tinius]

For want of a nail...

I've been getting a "low windshield washer fluid" alarm for a couple of months, apparently a leak, because it returns soon after I refill. Today I pulled the wheel-well liner & found the leak on the pump for the headlight washers. The pump connects with the rubber hose to the jets via a coupling with a retainer clip. Inside the coupling is an o-ring & this one is pinched and deformed. As well as I can measure with a caliper it is ID 9.0mm, OD 12.4mm and line diameter (round profile) 1.7mm.

How/where do I find a replacement? I expect I'll have to buy several in a lot. RealOEM does not show a separate part. Replacement pumps range from $15 to $90 for genuine BMW.

Worst case I could get a new pump, but it seems a waste.

Thx,

2003 540iT M-Sport in Myrtle Beach SC

[edjack]

A trip to the hardware store?

[jclausen]

The oring in the fitting line is not sold thru BMW if you punch in your last seven of your vin at reloem then go to section 61 then to the end of the parts diagrams you will see the parts listings for all parts of the washer system, this is where they always list the washer system parts you will see there is no oring part number offered, so you'll have look into an o ring selection to ring the right one.

[FireTumbleweed]

Harbor freight (as well as Amazon) sells a variety of collections for less than 10 bucks. 200-400 o-rings of all different sizes, both in metric and SAE.

1.7mm is close to 1/16" so an SAE might work.

Ex: https://www.harborfreight.com/180-pi...kit-67525.html
In this collection A012 might work...

[tinius]

Harbor freight... collection A012 might work...

Brilliant, thanks, there's an HF right down the street.

-s


2003 540iT M-Sport in Myrtle Beach SC

[BarryM]

I had the same problem, even ordered all the rubber seals listed on Realoem before pulling the liner off!

Managed to buy a small selection of o rings and all dry now. Couldn’t get an exact match but used a slightly smaller one that stretched and sealed. I thought it odd that only one of the pumps needs an o ring and they don’t offer it as a part.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[computiNATEor]

For anyone else looking for generic o-rings, I found this chart very helpful when I needed o-rings for my 2004 PowerMac G5's liquid cooling system:

https://www.mscdirect.com/basicsof/o-rings

Screen Shot 2018-06-01 at 10.13.24 PM.png
Screen Shot 2018-06-01 at 10.13.41 PM.png

[geargrinder]

noyce.

yeah havin the boxes of ring assortments around is helpful. I think I have 3 at least... Some green HNBR, some brown vitons, then some black plain ol', but in metric sizes. Wish I'd done that years ago.

I will say surprisingly often the SAE-closest seems like it will work but won't, so having real metric around is handy. Even times when you're like "OK evernthing is good but its a little bigger so it should seal better, right!" the answer is.. "no, the right size is the right size is the best size". Doesn't mean SOMETIMES it doesn't work but mostly... you want the right one.

[Richb134]

Kudos to tinius for such a clear, concise description of the problem. As a relative newbie I stalk this site for info and the information is amazing. If I ever have a problem that has not been covered a hundred times, I hope the regulars are willing to chime in. (GG, Snotty, Jim lev, Phil 98... Nate ...among others...). I believe they will. And thank you in advance.
Hey gg I’m thinking about changing my facelift headlights. Any advice on where to get the best price. Lololol!

[geargrinder]

Oh yes absolutely. PayPal me $75 and I’ll tell you exactly the best place to buy angel eyes / chrome rims / rear wing / M badges / cheapo coilovers / etc.

[djb2]

In general, designers use standard o-ring sizes whenever possible.
Many of the sizes used are based on SAE diameters converted to a metric equivalent, even on metric assemblies. They aren't exact/round SAE or metric sizes as they are designed to deform slightly when assembled, and deform further when holding pressure, so "close enough" is close enough.

[jhnmdahl]

I went to Home Depot and bought a package of 10 of their 1/16 thick 1/2" od 3/8" id rubber washers from the plumbing department for a few bucks, and it worked ok. Part is Danco 96724, labeled as #7 o-ring (in the plumbing department). Looks to be the same as the #012 o-rings found in some of the other posts, but labeled for plumbing rather than aerospace/automotive.

John

[powershiftgear]

Sorry to bring this back up, I think I have the same leak as you suggested.
how do you remove the white connector from the port?

[jp5Touring]

On the hose ? It has a horseshoe shaped black plastic clip.
It pulls out and off pretty easy. Might need a pick to get it started off.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ip-61670004457

[djb2]

Note that the clip is designed to be pressed in to release, and should couple without being pressed (although it might go on more easily while pressed).

Generally all connectors like this can also be separated by removing the clip, but the clip will flick into a different dimension, never to be found. Note the evidence in the picture above.