Washer fluid leak.

[gmc15]

I filled up the washer bottle a couple of days ago and I have not used the car since. I noticed a patch of washer fluid on the drive under the front drivers side bumper. Looks like there is a small leak somewhere. Has anyone any ideas as to where it might be coming from? The drive is sloped so the car has the front raised so if the leak was from the washer bottle I would expect to see it more towards the back of the engine bay, behind the front wheel. Wonder if it is on a pipe to the headlight washers?
It's -3 outside at the moment so I can't really have a good look at it

Anyone any ideas where an obvious leak may be coming from?

Graeme.

[fenj66]

i had a problem similar to this after i had removed the 3 washer filters to give them a good clean.
after putting everything back together i had leaks from the rubber grommets that seal the motor/filters from the reservoir.
in the end it was just a case of refitting them ensuring a good seal, but they are a bit of a pig to get to with the reservoir in place.

[gmc15]

I have managed to have a look around the reservoir and don't think the leak is from there. It's more to the front of the car so I suspect headlight washer is where the problem is. Can't see how to get to the back of the washers to check without removing the light , or removing bits from underneath the car. Too cold to do it now anyway.

[robo]

hi, i had a similar leak on my x5 undernearth the o/s headlight ,the headlight washer pipe has a connector with a rubber grommett that was leaking on the join ,i removed cleaned put a smear of oil on grommett refitted no leak,it is very fiddly to get at though!

[gmc15]

[quote=""robo""]hi, i had a similar leak on my x5 undernearth the o/s headlight ,the headlight washer pipe has a connector with a rubber grommett that was leaking on the join ,i removed cleaned put a smear of oil on grommett refitted no leak,it is very fiddly to get at though![/quote]

How did you get to the joint? Was it from underneath or did you remove the light?

[x555]

If you remove the foglight trim surrounds Graeme you will be able to see the 90 degree elbow joint on both outer washers if that helps mate otherwise i think it's a bumper off job i'm afraid.Perhaps with the weather you have had one freeze and split. HTH.

[bazzyboy]

as x555 says if u remove the foglamp surround & take the fog lamp out 2 self tappers u can access the hose going to the washer jets have u tried spraying the washers with the lights on 2 see if the headlamp washers are working?? if they are not then its a sure sign the hose has dislodged from the jet
hope this helps baz

[robo]

I managed to reach down and refit by touch alone but im used to [this ex hgv mechanic]

[gmc15]

Thanks everyone. Snowing like mad here, about 8 inches of snow on the car and -2 C so I won't be having a look today

[gmc15]

Problem almost solved I removed the foglight and managed to get my arm in the hole, with the other arm down behind the light and found a leaking connector joining the black pipes which goes to the light washers. Cut a bit off the pipe and put some thread tape on the plastic connector and pushed it back together. Leak has almost stopped, so I will do a better repair when the weather gets better. At least I know where the problem is now

Graeme.

[x555]

Graeme,
I don't know if we have the same problem mate but i did some investigation after finding a pool of water by the drivers front wheel like you, and it turns out that for me it was the main hose from the feeder tank that had come loose.
I must have not put it back correctly when refitting the bumper.
Here's the culprit...


I had to loosen the bumper and take out the headlight to get at it properly


And just to get on my nerves i now have to do it all again as the poxy thing shot off again after refitting everything last night
There must be a clip/clamp missing because when the headlight washers are activated(which is quite a strong blast of water)it's just coming apart.
I'll probably stick a jubilee clip or something on when i re do it tomorro.

[gmc15]

Sounds like the same problem. It was the main black hose that had come appart. I did the repair 'by feel' as I could not see the connector. I will probably have to take the light out to do a propper repair, as it will probably blow appart given time

Any tips on removing the light and bumper?

Graeme.

[x555]

[quote=""gmc15""]Sounds like the same problem. It was the main black hose that had come appart. I did the repair 'by feel' as I could not see the connector. I will probably have to take the light out to do a propper repair, as it will probably blow appart given time

Any tips on removing the light and bumper?

Graeme.[/quote]

Here's a how too for the bumper.... viewtopic.php?f=22&t=32
and the headlight is pretty straight forward just remember to mark the screws so's to get them back in the same place

[4.8isFred]

The jets that clean the headlights dont seem to be working correctly.
When i press the stalk button i can here the pump working but the jets dont spay the headlights. The jets on the windsrceen do. I have the headlights on and the res tank is full with cleaning fluid.

I have noticed there is a puddle on the floor directly underneath each fog lamp. I have used the head of a pin to thread clear the jets but still not spraying the lights.

I have taken out the 3 pumps in the fluid tank and cleaned them, they were a little gunky and cleand the tank through, not 100% but will do in time.

I did notice when i pull the stalk in the ignition postion 1 the washer works, but when in postion 2 the fluid doesn't come to the windscreen.

anyone give me a few pointers on this.


Cheers.