530xi - wiper mist (vapors) entering vents

[cmthews]

I have been driving the '06 530xi (with cold weather pkg) for 3 weeks. I am concerned that wiper fluid vapors are entering the interior through the vents. It is a very unpleasant breath when I need to use the windshield (and headlights)washer. Any info or advice?

 

[Montana]

I'm not positive about the '06 but on mine (98) the outside air vents draw from each side of the car under the hood by the winsheild (by the washer jets). Each vent duct is connected from the firewall to the air filer housing with a rubber gasket and clamp. Mine was serviced and the tech did not fasten it properly letting hot engine air in unfiltered which I noticed....

SOoooo I would check the integrity of the seal from the outside air intakes. Your air might be getting sucked in bypassing the charcoal filters.

If that all checks out then I guess I'd try to train myself to hit the recirculate button on the ac before I used the washers.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

They always do that if you have the A/C on, the car is new which means the filter is clean and you become smell-sensitive. BMW uses an aromatic windshield washer fluid, so enjoy the smell. or hit the recirculate button.

 

[epj3]

That sounds like a problem japanese cars should have.

 

[deutsch100]

Seems pretty normal to me. It is really bad when we are in Sweden or Deutschland in deep Winter. Especially in Sweden, the washer fluid is so full of alcohol (to keep the window from freezing while driving), that you kind of feel drunk/high from the vapors coming in.