[AlanQS]

I went out to the car tonight to put water and BMW additive into the washer bottle for the first time since I bought it, removed the cap and about an inch down there is a circular black dimpled cover across the neck of the bottle. At first I thought it might be a porous filter of some sort (it was dark) but no, poured some water in and it just sat there.

It's rock hard and the Owner's manual doesn't say a word about it. Anyone got any clue what it is and what I can do to top the bottle up?

[Mattyk]

That's the bottom of the filler, there's a pipe in the side to the bottle

[Mattyk]

Don't pour too fast!!

[willjames]

Fill it slowly, it will go in.

[teaston]

Is this a wind up?

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

I went out to the car tonight to put water and BMW additive into the washer bottle for the first time since I bought it, removed the cap and about an inch down there is a circular black dimpled cover across the neck of the bottle. At first I thought it might be a porous filter of some sort (it was dark) but no, poured some water in and it just sat there.

It's rock hard and the Owner's manual doesn't say a word about it. Anyone got any clue what it is and what I can do to top the bottle up?

As has been said pour in slowly and it will go in.

It's there to regulate flow of liquid to stop excess air getting in there.

[AlanQS]

Originally Posted by teaston

Is this a wind up?

What? Me winding you up or the rest of them winding me up?

[JustChris]

Why is this feeling non plussed?

Why isn't it, help needed filling my screen wash? Bit dramatic as it sounds like you're wanting to change car, wife, job

[AlanQS]

I thought it sounded a little more interesting than "how do I fill my washer bottle".

As an after thought, if I had used that as a thread heading, people might have thought "what a diddy" and not open the thread whereas curiosity might have got the better of them and they would open the thread, read it and let me know if any 4 series owners had ever experienced anything similar.

[Wills2]

It's a dreadful piece of design, I couldn't believe at first but no it really is that shit.

Pain in the arse to refill, I share your non-plussedness OP.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Wills2

It's a dreadful piece of design, I couldn't believe at first but no it really is that shit.

Pain in the arse to refill, I share your non-plussedness OP.

I've found my LCI fills much faster than my pre LCI did! On my pre LCI I used to either park the car with the left wheels up a kerb or i'd push the hole side of the filler neck down with my other hand while pouring!

[Kal101]

Blimey first world problems or what. Lol

Never had an issue or even thought about it tbh.

Open the lid pour in the diluted stuff put the lid back on job done.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Wills2

It's a dreadful piece of design, I couldn't believe at first but no it really is that shit.

Pain in the arse to refill, I share your non-plussedness OP.

+1

I also remember thinking WTF the first time I went to top-up the screen wash on my F31; you quickly get used to it but certainly not the greatest piece of design.....

[Torque of the Devil]

Originally Posted by willjames

Fill it slowly, it will go in.

A good code to live by

[creepy coupe]

Think yourself lucky OP. My 335i used to piss half it washer fluid out. The bottle was situated so close to the exhaust, the fluid warmed up and expanded.

[AlanQS]

Phoned BMW this morning. Apparently the blisters have little holes in the side and it acts as a filter to prevent anything else going inside it - "It's got a cap!"
He suggested I use hot water (I assume being -3 degrees, the holes were frozen.)

So I tried hot water. Did it work. Did it feck!

I will try again when the temperature is above freezing during the day (maybe that will happen) and if it still doesn't work I'm paying them a stroppy visit.

[rich100]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Phoned BMW this morning. Apparently the blisters have little holes in the side and it acts as a filter to prevent anything else going inside it - "It's got a cap!"
He suggested I use hot water (I assume being -3 degrees, the holes were frozen.)

So I tried hot water. Did it work. Did it feck!

I will try again when the temperature is above freezing during the day (maybe that will happen) and if it still doesn't work I'm paying them a stroppy visit.

Are you saying that even if you pour it in slowly it just sits there?

Like the others on here have mentioned I also had this problem and the first time I attempted to fill it it simply gushed over the side. Pouring in slowly not really had a problem so if no water is getting through maybe some numpty has fitted a solid plug or something rather than a pourus filter?

Whilst a bit irritating I I wouldn't have a strop at the dealer though mate it's probably a simple fix.

[....,,,,..,,..]

I fine just relaxing, holding it gently in my hand and aiming directly down the hole works best.

Managed a full 2 x 500 ml yesterday with almost no mess.

If I try rushing it, it just goes everywhere.

[Torque of the Devil]

Originally Posted by Brigand

I fine just relaxing, holding it gently in my hand and aiming directly down the hole works best.

If I try rushing it, it just goes everywhere.

Are we still discussing the screen wash bottle ?

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

Are we still discussing the screen wash bottle ?

Brigand do you AdBlue first?

[JLR1969]

I think as the car is new its still a virgin, push through and all will be well for years to come

[AlanQS]

I am already calling it the hymen informally but no water goes in. I used hot water this afternoon when the temperature was + 2°C and it didn't move. This was at 2.30pm. I just checked it now (5.50pm) and the water level has gone down 2mm.
I'm taking it into the dealer tomorrow.
I am cheesed because I've wasted an hour and a half of my life so far, trying to do what should be a simple task.