windscreen washer valves..

[russ325i]

hi, i'm having a really dumb day so the solution is probably blindingly obvious but here goes anyway;

the O/S windscreen washer jet on my touring has never worked since i've had her, so today whilst doing some routing checks i actually decided to have a closer look.

there are two valves under there, one that links into a loop for some reason and the other is more central and has the water from the tank/pump flowing into it. right, well the previous owner had put some silicone or some other sealant over the valve, so i peeled it off and it has two tiny perfectly spaced holes. when these are totally blocked, nothing comes out of either jet, when these are open the N/S jet works as usual. there are no blockages in the O/S jet or pipe so why is water gusing out onto the bulkhead instead of out of the jet!? is part of the valve cream crackered? and what are those holes for anyway?!

any suggestions welcome, ta..

~russ

[Geeman]

Mine had the same problem. I think it's down to these non-return valves failing. I've bought a couple of new ones, but not got round to fitting them. They were only a couple of pence from the dealers...

In the mean time, I've just re-routed the pipework to a T-piece and it workd fine for now.

Giles.

[slippy]

I noticed this as well in my motor. If you look around the rear of the headlights you should see the pipes running out the washer jets for the headlights. (presuming you have these fitted) Mine where leaking here and the water was gushing into the bulkhead from the white plastic valves I presumed. I found the hole and patched it up with a small self taping screw. Everything now works perfectly.

[Brianmoooore]

They are non-return/minimum flow pressure valves. They make sure water is squirted instantly when the washers operate, and stop the washers dribbling water when you brake.
They are used in several places in the washer systems, are prone to failure as described, and are dead cheap to replace.

[russ325i]

ah so i should just stop confusing my brain, stop being being tight and buy some new valves then! (or use a t-piece if i'm feeling awkward!)

cheers lads!

~russ

[russ325i]

well i went to woods BMW this afternoon and three pounds and ninety pence and 5 mins of work later she's got all of her washer jets back! job done!

this may be common knowledge but just incase, here goes anyways - the two holes that i mentioned in the T-piece valve are there to show when the valve has failed - if water comes out of them, it's crackered!

ta again,

~russ

[oze30]

Cool.. Now I know why my washers piss water out of them!