Smell washer fluid when using windsheild washer

hotrod2448 · 01-10-2008, 07:06 PM

I get a really strong smell of washer fluid immediately after washing the windshield in my E92. My wifes E90 doesn't have this characteristic. My car has done it since the day we picked it up at the factory. It is worse if I have the climate control on but, I can still smell it without the CC running.

I'm thinking the windshield seal is potentially NG but, I can't find any signs moisture in the car.

Does anyone else get this? Is it just a difference between the E92 and E90 or am I correct in thinking there is a problem.

mrbrett · 01-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Yes everytime. I hate it.

BMdblU · 01-10-2008, 07:16 PM

I've noticed the same thing..

bimdaddy · 01-10-2008, 07:28 PM

I think it's the winshield washer fluid from the factory. They all come clear with a strong alcohol-like smell, not blue like what you and I get from the parts store. Even BMW dealerships use the blue stuff. After 10k miles on my e90, I have not yet used my washer fluids....only driven on clear sunny days

, so I can't comment on BMW's current washer formula. For the past 12 years of new BMW ownership, my 95 M3, 98 Z3, 99 M3, and 2000 323i all have that strong smell until you use up all the factory fluid. Never had any issue with windshield leaking. I think the smell enters the cabin thru the vents under the hood.

hotrod2448 · 01-10-2008, 07:30 PM

Well, that makes me feel better knowing it is apparently somewhat normal.

jetblk328i · 01-10-2008, 09:21 PM

yea its normal, i had a MB C300 for a test drive and they too smelled bad.

ElCapitan · 01-10-2008, 10:10 PM

Normal.

Also, just want to give you a warning but you might smell gasoline when you fill the car up.

bobr2001 · 01-10-2008, 10:21 PM

and if you smoke.......

BK · 01-11-2008, 12:57 AM

I guess I'm weird because I kind of like the smell. I can't think of any other car where I always smelled the wiper fluid when I used it, though.

hotrod2448 · 01-11-2008, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

Also, just want to give you a warning but you might smell gasoline when you fill the car up.

So are you being sarcastic or do you honestly smell gas after you are done filling up?

LEDZEP · 01-11-2008, 06:43 AM

It's normal. The factory filled fluid has a lot of alcohol in it. I actually like it.

Eazyrock · 01-11-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

It's normal. The factory filled fluid has a lot of alcohol in it. I actually like it.

+1

Gort · 01-11-2008, 07:34 AM

Isn't the fresh air intake for the passenger compartment at the base of the windshield? I know the filter is right in front of there. It would explain the blast of w/w fluid odor.

gloster · 01-11-2008, 07:52 AM

I started a thread about this a few months back. I don't like the smell either.

Zirenz2006 · 01-11-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

It's normal. The factory filled fluid has a lot of alcohol in it. I actually like it.

I like it also.

I bought the BMW washer fluid additive from my dealership. You add 1 ounce per gallon of regular fluid. It smells like alcohol. I always add more which gives me that factory washer fluid smell. Maybe I'm addicted.

Gearcraft · 01-11-2008, 08:14 AM

mine smelled really fruity when i first got my car. i can always smell it especially when my moonroof is open.

TahoeOG · 01-11-2008, 08:35 AM

I like the smell. Don't really mind it. But my e46 used to do that as well.

hotrod2448 · 01-11-2008, 08:37 AM

I don't mind the smell. I've just never smelled it so strongly in any car I've owned in the past or in my wife's E90. I figured if her car doesn't do it there might be a leak.

On a side note: I would imagine all that alcohol does a number on the wax.

01-10-2008, 07:06 PM	#1
hotrod2448 grand poobah 254 Rep 2,253 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	Smell washer fluid when using windsheild washer I get a really strong smell of washer fluid immediately after washing the windshield in my E92. My wifes E90 doesn't have this characteristic. My car has done it since the day we picked it up at the factory. It is worse if I have the climate control on but, I can still smell it without the CC running. I'm thinking the windshield seal is potentially NG but, I can't find any signs moisture in the car. Does anyone else get this? Is it just a difference between the E92 and E90 or am I correct in thinking there is a problem.
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01-10-2008, 07:15 PM	#2
mrbrett Second Lieutenant 98 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2022 M4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Yes everytime. I hate it.
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01-10-2008, 07:16 PM	#3
BMdblU Brigadier General 152 Rep 3,983 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	I've noticed the same thing..
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01-10-2008, 07:28 PM	#4
bimdaddy Major 37 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: 911 Carrera & G01 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (10)	I think it's the winshield washer fluid from the factory. They all come clear with a strong alcohol-like smell, not blue like what you and I get from the parts store. Even BMW dealerships use the blue stuff. After 10k miles on my e90, I have not yet used my washer fluids....only driven on clear sunny days , so I can't comment on BMW's current washer formula. For the past 12 years of new BMW ownership, my 95 M3, 98 Z3, 99 M3, and 2000 323i all have that strong smell until you use up all the factory fluid. Never had any issue with windshield leaking. I think the smell enters the cabin thru the vents under the hood.
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01-10-2008, 07:30 PM	#5
hotrod2448 grand poobah 254 Rep 2,253 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	Well, that makes me feel better knowing it is apparently somewhat normal.
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01-10-2008, 09:21 PM	#6
jetblk328i Colonel 309 Rep 2,458 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central PA iTrader: (1)	yea its normal, i had a MB C300 for a test drive and they too smelled bad.
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01-10-2008, 10:10 PM	#7
ElCapitan Lieutenant Colonel 38 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2007 E91 328xi & 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Bay, ON iTrader: (2)	Normal. Also, just want to give you a warning but you might smell gasoline when you fill the car up. __________________ *2008* E90 335i \| Silver Grey \| Terra \| Piano Black \| ZSP \| ZKO \| ZAT \| ZKI \| ZPL \| ZKL \| *2007* E91 328xi \| Black Sapphire \| Terra \| ALuminium \| ZKO \| ZKI \| ZPL *Past Cars:* 2004 ///M3, 2002 E46 330xi, 2003 GTI 1.8T, 1996 Neon
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01-10-2008, 10:21 PM	#8
bobr2001 First Lieutenant 4 Rep 317 Posts Drives: F11 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	and if you smoke.......
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01-11-2008, 12:57 AM	#9
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I guess I'm weird because I kind of like the smell. I can't think of any other car where I always smelled the wiper fluid when I used it, though. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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01-11-2008, 06:43 AM	#11
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	It's normal. The factory filled fluid has a lot of alcohol in it. I actually like it. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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01-11-2008, 07:34 AM	#13
Gort Klaatu Barada Nikto 28 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 2017 X3-35i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: A Bipolar Planet iTrader: (0)	Isn't the fresh air intake for the passenger compartment at the base of the windshield? I know the filter is right in front of there. It would explain the blast of w/w fluid odor.
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01-11-2008, 07:52 AM	#14
gloster Captain 15 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 335i MT, sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	I started a thread about this a few months back. I don't like the smell either.
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01-11-2008, 08:14 AM	#16
Gearcraft misadventurer 57 Rep 708 Posts Drives: bubbie mystic blue whale Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: candied island iTrader: (0)	mine smelled really fruity when i first got my car. i can always smell it especially when my moonroof is open. __________________ 325i I SP
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01-11-2008, 08:35 AM	#17
TahoeOG Major 83 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	I like the smell. Don't really mind it. But my e46 used to do that as well. __________________ Selling my winter setup, Hit me UP!
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01-11-2008, 08:37 AM	#18
hotrod2448 grand poobah 254 Rep 2,253 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	I don't mind the smell. I've just never smelled it so strongly in any car I've owned in the past or in my wife's E90. I figured if her car doesn't do it there might be a leak. On a side note: I would imagine all that alcohol does a number on the wax.
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