Loss of washer fluid

[RichardP]

I've noticed that my washer fluid was going down even though I'd not used the windscreen washer at all. I keep it topped up all the time so it was noticeable.

I've determined that when I brake the fluid sloshes up the filler pipe and out of the top even though the lid appears to be correctly in place. I tested it on the drive way braking sharply from 10mph and lost a good 50ml in one go. On a 2 mile round trip, taking less than 5 minutes, I lost 800ml (that's about 1 1/2 pints).

I assume that keeping the fluid topped up to full means I lose more than if I just left it, but this rate of loss seems excessive. I was wondering if any one else had noticed the same problem or do I have a defective washer bottle or lid?

[Bönz]

Has to be a defect. I am not losing fluid and I think this would have been mentioned on the forum before.

[RichardP]

Here's a short video of the problem, washer fluid bottle full to the brim, gentle braking from 5mph (I don't like driving to fast with the bonnet open!! ).

[Bönz]

Just looks like a bad cap, a loose cap, a bad seal or a split in the neck of the bottle. Take the cap off and get in close and look at the bottle neck and under the cap. Problem should be obvious, I would think.

[RichardP]

I thought it would be obvious too, but it's not!

The cap clicks into place, the top of the washer bottle looks fine, there is no split or obvious nick in the rim (which has quite a sharp edge to mate with the lid. The cap seal looks fine.

All I can think of is that the lid has distorted with the heat from the engine. I'm just going to get a new lid and see if it fixes the problem, they are the same part on the F10 so not very expensive. If that doesn't fix it, I'll get it looked at under warranty.

[southern6er22]

I have had the same problem with error messages about low fluid despite never using the wipers. My car is currently at the dealership for some other issues, and I asked them to check into this as well. I'll post back with what they tell me.

[ctenidae]

Looks to me like it's an over-full bottle. You should do that braking test several times, and see how many times you have to do it before it stops sloshing out.

[RichardP]

Given that I lost nearly 1L (1 quart) in 2 miles, I think it will continue sloshing for quite some time. When I first noticed it, I had to add 3L (3 quarts) after hardly using the washer.

I've replaced the washer tank lid (for £4.75) and after 700 miles I've only lost about 1 inch from the top of the filler neck, so I'd say that's solved the problem.

I can only assume that the original lid has distorted somehow, even though it's not obvious, which prevented it from forming a proper seal around the filler neck.

[E90Fleet]

The cap is available on its own and not expensive.
Either get one yourself and see if it works or have the dealer swap it under warranty.

Part number should be "61 66 7 238 068"
Number 11 below

[RichardP]

That's exactly what I did, see above. Problem solved.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by RichardP

That's exactly what I did, see above. Problem solved.

Sorry, read everything except the last post
At least the number is up for anyone else with a similar problem