Windshield Washer Fluid -Fixed

[Aeroflyre]

Recently purchased a ‘98 540 as a daily and knew the washer fluid not squirting would be something to tackle early on. Have had the car a month, and after using the amazing depth of knowledge on this forum to do research, I thought I’d post how the fix went...

First I consulted the DIY section and got the right tools, etc. and exposed the tank behind the splash guard of the right front wheel. When I pulled the pump, more than just washer fluid came out, so I pulled the tank, too.
There was a lot of slime/bacteria inside the tank:





I think the motor burned up after the pick-up clogged:



The fill tube had crud as well:



I realized very quickly this was going to be a system overhaul...
So, I started checking lines, and they were either crudded or brittle:



I pulled the jets, disassembled, and soaked them to break down scale. You have to be careful on the disassembly. There’s a tiny spring and rubber plunger in each:


Ran some new line:



Cleaned out the tank, filler tube, vent, low level sensor.. installed the new pump, reinstalled the jets, then got it all tidy:


Now I’m squirting!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[edjack]

Good save! Ya never know.

The previous owners may never have used alcohol-based cleaners, and the stuff just kept growing. Pretty disgusting.

[balidawg]

I had to completely remove those little springs and their red plastic plungers from the jets as they were causing enough back pressure to prevent the fluid from spraying. The washer pump is new too. [scratches head...]

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Now I’m squirting!!

I guess we can all call that a happy ending....

[ross1]

I had to completely remove those little springs and their red plastic plungers from the jets as they were causing enough back pressure to prevent the fluid from spraying. The washer pump is new too. [scratches head...]

You might regret that. I think those are check valves to keep the lines primed. Without them I suspect the juice will run back through the pump into the tank.