DIY- Headlight Washer Leak Troubleshooting

on my car the headlight washer motor died (well the impeller in the motor broke) so i need a new motor, but i suspect that the telescoping arms (part 6 in the diagram on realoem.com) are leaking as well and if this is the case im not going to bother wasting my money.

My question is does some fluid leak out of anyone else's telescoping arms at the when you manually pull the nozzle out?
I put an arrow on the attached picture where the fluid leaks out of

Yes, had some fluid leaking out while pulling the arms out (while installing angel eyes).

and your system works fine?

I replaced both pump seals/strainers recently and the leak is still there!
I presume the tank itself has a crack or is it possible brand new seals wopuld also leak?
The system seems to work fine, just intermittently leaks fluid!

Any tips for further trouble shooting when the obvious fix fails?

Originally Posted by drjuszkiewicz

and your system works fine?

Yep! Once i pushed the arms back in the leaking stopped!

Originally Posted by dcaron999

I hope this helps you with your issue ...

You most likely have a leak with your passenger side nozzle, just like I had, so you want to order and replace that ...

Exactly what it was. However, the other side has started leaking now

Another washer ordered!

Where you getting these from and for what price? Are the windshield and headlight pumps the same thing?

Originally Posted by jeepo23

Where you getting these from and for what price? Are the windshield and headlight pumps the same thing?

Got my washer jet from the dealers, ~£41. Tried the breakers yard first, but the only one they had leaked when i fitted it! Grrrrrrr

Originally Posted by mjn77

Got my washer jet from the dealers, ~£41. Tried the breakers yard first, but the only one they had leaked when i fitted it! Grrrrrrr

Damn it that's steep for just a washer pump. Not sure where others get their off ebay for $15.. All I see is like $40+

Anybody actually tried to fix a leaking telescopic washer?

Is it just a seal that fails, or something more serious?

Originally Posted by dcaron999

First off, the outlet with the red cap is pointing in the wrong direction. See orientation of my functional and connected pump, where my finger is pointing in the pic below.

Now for a view from the top ...

When you remove the cap off your pump, your tank will emtpy itself, so may you want to extract your washing liquid first. The pump can be removed by lifting it straight out of the container, without any tools, and barely any force. You then must find the main flexible black tubing and connect it back to your pump outlet. You'll notice on the above picture that there is a plastic black lock ring on a white female junction, which slips over the male pump outlet connector. This black tubing leads to both of your telescopic arms and nozzles. See part #1 on diagram in my first post.

I hope this helps you with your issue ...

You most likely have a leak with your passenger side nozzle, just like I had, so you want to order and replace that ...

I replaced my pump and it's leaking from the white connector with the black clip on it now. I've disconnected several times to check the o ring and it looks fine. Anyone with a suggestion on fixing this??? I'm getting ready to slather it with silicone sealant!!! (kidding)

Fixed mine by replacing the pump. Was lucky enough to find a pump on eBay for $12 shipped.

The pump had the older part number I think that's why I got it so cheap as all the others I found were $35+.

Spilled some fluid while changing as my container was fully but it's just washer fluid.. Was pretty straight forward swap.

Regarding the leak on the white connector, try rotating the connector so it locks itself on.

for a retrofit what a wiring hardness and conector i must buy can help with a part number for wiring harness for a retrofit headlamp cleaning system in e46?

Hey guys..not sure if the answer to this question has already been answered in this thread, if it is I apologize, but here goes...

I recently replaced the headlight washer pump on my car because the washers would not spray so I figured the pump was bad. Today I activated the washers and yes...the system now works. However, only the passenger side washer sprayed. Nothing came out of the drivers side. What do you think is damaged? The telescopic arm ? Thanks

OK, so I found my washer fluid leaked out within a day after filling the reservior. I have read numerous posts. It looked like my front (headlamp washer pump) had just raised up in it's seal and that's where the leak is from. Could it be this simple? I am wondering if the pump (also the rear one) just slides down into their respective seals? Should I just put some silicone sealer in the seal and put it all back together? I have tested both pumps, each works fine. I do not see any cracks or leaks in the reservior or either pump. I use winter grade washer fluid year round in my car so i do not think there is a freezing/expanding water issue. Also, what is strange that when I reassmeble the entire unit, the front hose with the clip going forward to the headlamp washers is too short now?! I have added a shot of the front pump attached to the hose. If I install the reservior and push this pump into it's spot, the hose pulls the pump forward so it does not seal correctly.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Originally Posted by denvermgb

It looked like my front (headlamp washer pump) had just raised up in it's seal and that's where the leak is from. Could it be this simple? I am wondering if the pump (also the rear one) just slides down into their respective seals?

Yes, the pump slides down in place, and the rubber grommet holds in place...

Originally Posted by denvermgb

Should I just put some silicone sealer in the seal and put it all back together?

You should not have to.

Originally Posted by denvermgb

I use winter grade washer fluid year round in my car so i do not think there is a freezing/expanding water issue.

Smart man.

Originally Posted by denvermgb

Also, what is strange that when I reassmeble the entire unit, the front hose with the clip going forward to the headlamp washers is too short now?! I have added a shot of the front pump attached to the hose. If I install the reservior and push this pump into it's spot, the hose pulls the pump forward so it does not seal correctly.

That is strange. Hose should be long enough. Check for proper routing of hose ...

Thanks dcaron999. am going to try to put it all back together now....

I think I found the issue. The cap on the reservior was dimpled in - I think the vent on the cap was blocked, which caused the seal around the front pump to break lose. I cleared out the vent on the cap. The washer fluid is not leaking now - I will give you guys an update to see if this was the culprit.

A few days of sub freezing weather, holding up fine, all aspects of the system workinng fine! Thanks!

Thx dcaron999 for your post....very helpful...removed my headlight nozzle and no doubt the air was going straight through it.....bought new nozzle online($35) and I'm waiting for it to arrive.The problem is the little plastic cover broke(the 2 ears around the nozzles) and I cant find a replacement one online.If u know where to find one (besides dealer which is my next try),please let me know....THx again