As I posted earlier today, I drove to work in the rain this morning and used the back glass washer. This evening I discovered the dreaded stain from the washer fluid on the boot door. Eeeeekkkk..... it is truly ugly! Looks like a glob of yellow mold. I've read that it happens and is especially noticeable on the PW paint. It was dark when I got home, so I grabbed a wet MF cloth and scrubbed it off as best as I could. I think I read that we need to run the fluid thru the washer reservoir and replace with plain water. Will research it tomorrow. :impatient

 

Go to the dealer and have them install the one way valve. It's warranty work. Had to do it to mine.

 

Thanks so much for the reply. I'll be on the phone in the morning.

 

not sure if this is the same thing, but check this thread... it has a part number, etc.:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=80109

does anyone know if this is the cosmoline or the washer fluid? I think I read in one of the Production Support Groups that someone had their front washer fluid drained and replaced before taking delivery... not sure where that was.

 

Aside from the dribble on the boot, make sure the fluid isn't leaking down the INSIDE of the hatch, and coming out the hatch drain hole, and out onto the rear bumper. Happened to us.

 

Had the valve done on my 06-S a week ago, wahLah ... no more leaks.

 

Mine has been doing this every couple of days, without the use of the washer. The gunk kind of looks like, well, snot - thus leading me to believe it is cosmoline and not the washer fluid. For example, I washed the car on Monday. As of Tuesday morning there was no gunk, and Tuesday afternoon the gunk showed up after it had been parked all day at work. I have not used the rear washer for over a week. What do you all think? Fluid drip that the above posted fix will take care of, or cosmoline? By the way, my MINI is just over 2 weeks old.

 

It's semi-dried washer fluid. Ours looked the same way, kind of gummy looking and feeling. The washer fluid they use is like that when it gets a little dust and grime mixed in from ordinary traveling. To my knowledge, there is no cosmoline anywhere on, or in a Mini.

 

I've actually done some researching on some other threads and am starting to think maybe it's a combination of washer fluid and cosmo-goop. My MA specifically told me about cosmoline (used to coat the exterior to protect it during shipping) when I took delivery because there were a few spots that I noticed where it was still on the car and thought it was imperfections on the finish. He simply wiped it off with quick detailer. I am having a tough time accepting that it is just the washer fluid with road gunk because the car was just washed, then garaged for the night, only driven about 8 miles, then sat parked before the stuff oozed - so there wasn't enough dust on there to make it look so gloppy. It also does not wipe off very easily, so I'm thinking that perhaps some wiper fluid is combining with the cosmoline and possibly a little dust and causing this stuff that likes to stick to the finish. I had some of the washer fluid on the bonnet after I drove it home for the first time and that washed off quite easily during the first wash while the boot goop took a lot more effort. Hmpf! I'll give it a few more weeks before I investigate the valve since my dealer is 2 hours away.

 

More than likely, it's combining with the wax the detailing guys at the dealership use.

 

Cosmoline is a yellowish, light-amber, or greenish colored ointment-like mass, having a slight fluorescence, petroleum-like odor and taste. It is similar to petroleum jelly in properties, appearance, and thickness. It is the purified residue obtained from the distillation of petroleum oils. Chemically, cosmoline is a homogeneous mixture of oily and waxy long-chain, non-polar hydrocarbons. It can range in color from white to yellow, and can differ in viscosity and shear strength. Cosmoline melts at 113–125 °F (45–52 °C) and has a flashpoint of 365 °F (185 °C). Its most common use is in the storage and preservation of firearms. Previously, cosmoline was used to preserve other things. Objects the size of entire vehicles could be preserved for future use with cosmoline.

Since I don't have Grover yet, I can't comment, but this description kinda sounds like what you are describing Doodlez. I wouldn't suggest "tasting" it though!

I wonder if a nice strong spray of water would clean out the rear washer? Of course, that might also damage it. Hopefully you current owners can get this figured out... it's definitely unsettling to have something staining your new Mini. I'm going to ask my dealer to install the part and of course I will report back... that will be a few weeks though :(

 

Yes, since 2002, the MINIs shipped to the US have always had cosmoline applied to keep them cozy...well, to protect them in the salt air/salt water environment, actually.

 

I'm very surprised that any auto company would use cosmoline. I worked in a gun shop for a couple years back in the early 90's, and cosmoline was the biggest pain in the **** to remove. It required almost scalding hot water or chemicals to remove it. Neither would I like to use on a paint job. Shame on BMW. There are better and less harmfull preservatives out there.

 

Why are U so suprised that BMW sprays Cosmoline on not just MINIs, but all of its cars before the Transoceanic boat ride? I for one am glad they do it, because no matter where something sits on a ship, inside or outside, the salt is there! However, the VDCs need to be more thorough in insuring that they power-clean all the Cosmo off before dealer delivery, for it still gets stuck in the exterior's nooks and crannies. At 16K my 05 S still oozes the stuff from the rear wiper assembly and MINI badge and chrome in the general area, but I just use Macguairs paint cleaner and rewax. No big deal, really, just a bit of vigilance.

 

Yes, cosmoline residue does seem to be a pain and apparently whatever method they use to remove it can't get it out of some of the little places that I have found some. I think the warmer temps we had the during my first week of ownership probably loosened the excess because I found some drips from the two little holes on the bottom of the boot hatch. It literally looked just like the description mini dreams posted - yellowish/amber ointment glop - but it had cooled and was in a more solid form that I could just sort of flick off. The stuff under the washer jet definitely seems a bit thinner, but still glop-like and sticky, making it much more difficult to clean off.

I didn't think to smell or taste it, thankfully, but I did try using a steady, yet gentle, stream of water to try to rinse out the rear washer on the second wash this past Monday. It didn't seem to help, unless it loosened the stuff that has since leaked out onto my boot, thus freeing whatever was left over, and will hopefully be the end of it! But I'm not holding my breath on that.

I'm going to try to drain the washer fluid on the next wash and replace it with something gentler. Hopefully that, combined with some time for the rest of the cosmoline to excrete itself, will be enough. If it's still doing it in a month I'm definitely going to talk to the dealer about the valve fix.

Sissy, definitely let us know if you get the dealer to fix it! Thanks!

 

Ever since I put a better product in the washer solvent tanks I had no issues. As far as what this better product is, its simple.....namebrand washer fluid from wally world, or advanced auto parts, pepboys, etc, etc....

The original substance stained my U shaped decal on the bonnet. The washer jet itself along with the U shaped decal had to be replaced under warranty along with the clearbra.

 

I'm surely glad I didn't try to lick the goop off.

Seriously, I had to rub on it to remove. There's still a small stain on the hatch today that I couldn't remove with water and elbow grease. I've placed a call to the service department and left a VM for them to return my call. Will report back as soon as I get any information.

 

I have been lucky (so far!) and haven't had this issue... I remember reading about it, so I've been watching for it... I do sometimes get stains from the dried washer fluid, but it wipes right off...

 

If my friends saw me licking my MINI they'd have me committed....

 

It's ok to love your Mini, but don't love your Mini!

 

Well, they are sweet little machines!

Ok, so I finally remembered to take the camera out of the car with me this afternoon. Here are a couple of shots of my back washer dribbly goo. I cleaned it off this evening with a moist microfiber towel. It came off much easier this time since I have applied some NXT, but alas, a shadow remains on the clearcoat. I guess the next step is to try claying, then if that doesn't work some bug and tar remover. I'm glad to see that the wax seemed to protect it, though.

I know it may be difficult to see from the photos, but it is amber in color and a bit like dried glue!

 

what an annoying problem.

hope mine comes off the boat miraculously healed.

 

Hi,

This problem doesn't go away...

I had this problem I think it's in every 2006 car.
There is only one fix. It only takes 15 minutes to fix.

Dealer fix...

Description: Check value

Part Number: BMW 61 68 8 229 249

Rick

 

They had to fix it on my PW MINI too, and I had never even used it. Unfortunately, I still have a yellow stain, and I've claybarred it.

 

Thanks for the head up. I am picking up my MINI tomorrow and will see if they can install the valve for me before I pick it up. I'll keep you posted.