Where's the connection? Windshield Washer Fluid in passenger's foot room

[steh-fan]

Hi,
I recently noticed that my windshield washer fluid reservoir is not holding the fluid anymore and I thought it just dumps it on the street (although ti was strange to see it coming from the inside of the right running board into the rear right wheel well).
Today I was shocked when I saw the passenger's foot room carpet had the same color as the windshield washer fluid...
Initially I thought if the reservoir dumps it somewhere where it overflows and then enters the cabin - but I also noticed the rear washer is not working anymore.
Now I'm wondering whether a hose could have ripped and leaks everything inside?

Has anybody seen this before?
Any pointers where the hose for the rear washer is routed?

Thanks a lot for your help in advance!

 

[OopsIBrokeIt]

Pull up the lower door trim and check?

I know that washer fluid hose runs internally the length of the vehicle, and I want to say it does so down at floor level under that step trim.

 

[steh-fan]

Thanks,

I now tend to believe there are two issues, one with the reservoir that might be leaking out of the pumps seals and the hose that might be damaged near the firewall.
Indeed, it runs on the passenger side in the side channel. I started to remove some of the door sills, but couldn't find the damage yet.

I just hope I don't have to pull the whole dashboard....

 

[Drcoffee]

IIRC the squirter hoses attached to the underside of the hood are directly above the cabin fresh air intake. It could be draining thru behind the glove box.

 

[steh-fan]

Hi, yes they are, but if there was a crack in any of the hoses to the front squirters, they would not spray normally as they do in my case. It's only the rear one that is not squirting any water, so I have to assume the crack is probably further done the line (hose). I hope I'll have some time soon to look further into this.

 

[Drcoffee]

On my 07 FJ cruiser the washer tank had 2 squirter pumps. I should be able to see them from underneath. On mine the rear pump actually snapped off the base. I found a replacement on ebay $10. Theres only a places the fluid can go to make into the footwell.

 

[steh-fan]

Ok, looks like the leak is an easy one. Under the right kick panel, there is a hose connection and initially I thought the rubber connector lost it's elasticity or there was just too much backpressure because of a clog. But when reconnecting, the rear squirter sprays right away.

I guess I'll either buy a new rubber hose or reinforce it with some shrink tube or zip ties so the hose can't come disconnected again.

 

[steh-fan]

Ok, I found the connection.

It is called gravity.

With the detached house, even if you activate the rear washer for a short time, because the lose connection is lower than the reservoir, it slowly empties the reservoir into the foot area.
There is no leak on the reservoir at all.

That's why I always had an empty reservoir although I didn't use the washer a lot....

Next up, how to remove the pink dye they use in the de-icer from the carpet.... (hint, it is the same red dye they use for tie-dye T Shirts, so highly reactive with fibers)....