E86 Screen Wash Leak

[Jay-Z4]

I've been noticing that my screen wash has been running out quicker than normal recently. There's nothing wrong with the screen wash bottle/reservoir so I took it to my garage and they said it is a fault with the head light washers. As a result of this issue with the head light washers, water has leaked into my fog light causing condensation and a blown bulb. I asked the garage to disable/disconnect the headlight washers but they said it would require the bumper to come off. I thought it could be disconnected through the wheel arch but apparently not.

Do I have any other options other than removing the bumper? Would removing the fuse for the headlight washers stop the leak? Maybe the leak occurs when the washers are activated IDK.

Any help would be massively appreciated

[mr.tourette]

pretty sure you can just disconnect the pump to the wahers under the bonnet its just in front of the reservoir iirc

[cj10jeeper]

I've been noticing that my screen wash has been running out quicker than normal recently. There's nothing wrong with the screen wash bottle/reservoir so I took it to my garage and they said it is a fault with the head light washers. As a result of this issue with the head light washers, water has leaked into my fog light causing condensation and a blown bulb. I asked the garage to disable/disconnect the headlight washers but they said it would require the bumper to come off. I thought it could be disconnected through the wheel arch but apparently not.

Do I have any other options other than removing the bumper? Would removing the fuse for the headlight washers stop the leak? Maybe the leak occurs when the washers are activated IDK.

Any help would be massively appreciated

You're not going to stop the leak just by taking the fuse out or disconnecting the pump as gravity will still cause water to flow to the washer.
The leak is probably easily fixed either by just cycling the washer in and out a few times by hand or with the lights on, and/or ensuring the pipe is clipped correctly to the jet. The latter though the lower access hole.

Incidentally I doubt if the leak caused the fog light to have condensation. It just happens naturally to almost all of them from damp air and spray from driving coupled to changing temperatures. Also if you have xenon's it will be an MOT fail if disconnected, so mindful of that

[sticky]

I've been noticing that my screen wash has been running out quicker than normal recently. There's nothing wrong with the screen wash bottle/reservoir so I took it to my garage and they said it is a fault with the head light washers. As a result of this issue with the head light washers, water has leaked into my fog light causing condensation and a blown bulb. I asked the garage to disable/disconnect the headlight washers but they said it would require the bumper to come off. I thought it could be disconnected through the wheel arch but apparently not.

Do I have any other options other than removing the bumper? Would removing the fuse for the headlight washers stop the leak? Maybe the leak occurs when the washers are activated IDK.

Any help would be massively appreciated

You're not going to stop the leak just by taking the fuse out or disconnecting the pump as gravity will still cause water to flow to the washer.
The leak is probably easily fixed either by just cycling the washer in and out a few times by hand or with the lights on, and/or ensuring the pipe is clipped correctly to the jet. The latter though the lower access hole.

Incidentally I doubt if the leak caused the fog light to have condensation. It just happens naturally to almost all of them from damp air and spray from driving coupled to changing temperatures. Also if you have xenon's it will be an MOT fail if disconnected, so mindful of that

Handy.

[Jay-Z4]

I've been noticing that my screen wash has been running out quicker than normal recently. There's nothing wrong with the screen wash bottle/reservoir so I took it to my garage and they said it is a fault with the head light washers. As a result of this issue with the head light washers, water has leaked into my fog light causing condensation and a blown bulb. I asked the garage to disable/disconnect the headlight washers but they said it would require the bumper to come off. I thought it could be disconnected through the wheel arch but apparently not.

Do I have any other options other than removing the bumper? Would removing the fuse for the headlight washers stop the leak? Maybe the leak occurs when the washers are activated IDK.

Any help would be massively appreciated

You're not going to stop the leak just by taking the fuse out or disconnecting the pump as gravity will still cause water to flow to the washer.
The leak is probably easily fixed either by just cycling the washer in and out a few times by hand or with the lights on, and/or ensuring the pipe is clipped correctly to the jet. The latter though the lower access hole.

Incidentally I doubt if the leak caused the fog light to have condensation. It just happens naturally to almost all of them from damp air and spray from driving coupled to changing temperatures. Also if you have xenon's it will be an MOT fail if disconnected, so mindful of that

Ok I think I'll stay clear of disconnecting them - cheers.

Sorry for the stupid question but what do you mean by cycling the washer in and out? I'm eager to try anything if it might help!

[cj10jeeper]

You can either put the lights on and then wash the screen. It will spray the headlights on startup then every 5 cycles of the screen wash, or grip the covers with your nails and pull the jet up. Then pull and retract it a few times. These actions reseat the seals and clear dirt.

If it fails a new washer jet is a simple fit

[bluespit]

mine leaked too. turned out to be the clip at the bottom of the headlight washer jet.

easy enough fix but I did have to take the bumper off - took about 15 mins to remove and the same to refit.