Rear Window Washer

[twright]

I'm having difficulty routing the tube that goes to the rear window washer. The problem location is at the left hinge for the rear door. I can't figure out how to route the tube and not interfere with the trim. Does it take special small diameter tubing?

[roguetoaster]

Looking back at a picture it looks like standard diameter tubing going through the body cavity and then in to the hinge on the left hand side. Unfortunately, the picture I found from one of my tourings does not have the hinge trim removed, so I'm judging by a tiny loop of tube hanging down.

[twright]

Any idea what the tubing OD is? The one I'm using is about 1/4" and it doesn't really fit in there very good.

[roguetoaster]

Hard to say from the one picture I have, the best guidance I could really give is that all BMW washer line appears to be listed as 4.6mm, not sure on OD of course, but I do think that all of the washer fittings are the same size. Best bet might be to heat the tube (if plastic) and oval it slightly.

[cory58]

Any idea what the tubing OD is? The one I'm using is about 1/4" and it doesn't really fit in there very good.

Will check mine this weekend and report back. I did some work on the rear washer system about 4 years ago and may have replaced the tubing.

Cory

[twright]

Will check mine this weekend and report back. I did some work on the rear washer system about 4 years ago and may have replaced the tubing.

Cory

Great. That will be a big help.

The tubing that I am using seemed to be fine in the summertime. Now that it's cold, its a lot stiffer and doesn't bend as well.

[cory58]

Great. That will be a big help.

The tubing that I am using seemed to be fine in the summertime. Now that it's cold, its a lot stiffer and doesn't bend as well.

The tubing OD on my car is 7.5mm. That agrees with the specs of this hose (OE and Cohline) available at the usual online parts sources: 4.5mm x 7.5mm. This is the hose between the pump and check valve.

Cory

[twright]

That's about the same size as mine, but mine's not working in the cold weather. Is yours nice and flexible when its cold? Mine is not and instead of bending nicely when I close the rear door, mine tries to stay straight and knocks the trim piece off.

[cory58]

That's about the same size as mine, but mine's not working in the cold weather. Is yours nice and flexible when its cold? Mine is not and instead of bending nicely when I close the rear door, mine tries to stay straight and knocks the trim piece off.

Mine is fine. May be time to replace yours. The new hose will be more flexible. You can route it correctly and once it's been in the correct position for a while it will "take a set."

Cory

[twright]

Mine is new. I got the line from Lowes. What kind of material is yours? Where did you get it?

[cory58]

Lowe's is the problem. Do yourself a favor and replace metric with metric. It will save a lot of headaches. The OE washer hose is available from all the regular places (FCP, ECS, Pelican). Cohline also makes an aftermarket version. It's 4.5mm x 7.5mm.

[twright]

Lowe's is the problem. Do yourself a favor and replace metric with metric. It will save a lot of headaches. The OE washer hose is available from all the regular places (FCP, ECS, Pelican). Cohline also makes an aftermarket version. It's 4.5mm x 7.5mm.

We have a winner!

I replaced the Lowes hose with the correct part number metric hose. It fits nicely now.

Now all I have to do is figure out where the line is plugged. The hose in the hinge is open and flows freely. The cap at the wiper is open. Somewhere in between there is a blockage.

[roguetoaster]

Isn't there a check valve inside the trim panel of the tailgate?

[twright]

I'm not sure. I'll take it apart and see what I find.

Hopefully, it won't be some Euro only part that costs $75 to get to the US.

[twright]

Isn't there a check valve inside the trim panel of the tailgate?

The answer is "YES", there is a checkvalve in the rear door that could prevent fluid from flowing to the nozzle.

However, if the line is kinked BEFORE the check valve, no fluid will get to the check valve or the nozzle.

I am now unkinked and completely functional.

The only problem is that I'm going through a lot of washer fluid, because it's so much fun to watch.