I hope I have a problem. I've been in Tahoe for the last week, and am finding my washer fluid reservoir empty almost daily. When I go to fill it, it takes less than half a gallon. Please tell me this isnt the design, and I have some problem. I cant imagine this vehicle was designed without adequate capacity for washer fluid. If you spend time in the mountains in the winter, you know the need.
Windshield washer fluid capacity?
- Thread starter sf jakey
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BlackWorksInc
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So... What have you been filing it with and are you using the washer fluid that heavily? I think it takes like a gallon or so?
BlackWorksInc
New member
Well if you're using it regularly every day then that's probably why. You don't really get a feel for how much fluid those little pumps actually flow. Is it really that muddy up there? Wasn't too bad when I was coming down highway 88/emigrant trail Sunday, the slush boundary went away pretty fast.
BlackWorksInc
New member
How do you know it's empty? Does the low fluid level come on?
The reason I am asking is because it almost sounds like there was very little washer fluid vs. water in the reservoir before and it froze over and cracked the reservoir causing the liquid to leak out, but the ice block is still there so it doesn't take much fluid to fill up?
At least that's what it sounds like...
Lester Lugnut
New member
- Remove windshield washer reservoir
- Save off washer fluid into an old clean jug
- Fill with water and set in a bucket overnight
- Bring bucket inside if freezing in garage or outside.
- Check in the A. M. - is the reservoir still full or is some/all of the water in the bucket? If water is in bucket - look for leaks on reservoir.
- Save off washer fluid into an old clean jug
- Fill with water and set in a bucket overnight
- Bring bucket inside if freezing in garage or outside.
- Check in the A. M. - is the reservoir still full or is some/all of the water in the bucket? If water is in bucket - look for leaks on reservoir.
philsey
New member
That's the question: HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S EMPTY? ...Or ... do you assume it's empty because it quits working?
I see only 3 possibilities:
1. You are using it all. [Not possible if it only takes 1/3 gal.]
2. You are losing it all. [Ditto above]
3. I vote that you have ice in the reservoir.
I see only 3 possibilities:
1. You are using it all. [Not possible if it only takes 1/3 gal.]
2. You are losing it all. [Ditto above]
3. I vote that you have ice in the reservoir.
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DesertCanyons
New member
Frozen Vegetables
:withstupid: JK...
Yes, it sounds like the reservoir is frozen. Or the intake tube is loose and hanging high in the tank, so the tube can't reach the bottom 2/3 of the tank.
Which makes me wonder if the tank is really frozen, because if it was, the intake couldn't draw anything from a frozen tank.
Find the tank and see what it looks like. Send photos. :usa2:
:withstupid: JK...
Yes, it sounds like the reservoir is frozen. Or the intake tube is loose and hanging high in the tank, so the tube can't reach the bottom 2/3 of the tank.
Which makes me wonder if the tank is really frozen, because if it was, the intake couldn't draw anything from a frozen tank.
Find the tank and see what it looks like. Send photos. :usa2:
philsey
New member
My pump failed when new, and I think I remember the pump draws from the bottom.
My theory: there's a small block of ice that floats when the res is filled, and as the fluid is used it settles to the bottom.
Ah! I just noticed San Francisco. Can't imagine it gets cold enough there for all this ice theory.
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BlackWorksInc
New member
Yes, but what was in the reservoir BEFORE you added the 0 degree fluid? A lot of the time we just top off the fluid with water (company is a bit cheap and doesn't want to just hand out washer fluid every service...), if the customer hasn't bought or used washer fluid additive in a while; it could be pretty diluted.
He said he's in Tahoe at the moment.
darrylj
New member
So perhaps store the new jug of 0 degree fluid indoors until it reaches 70, then add that warm fluid? It might melt any ice that's there and the water will dilute into the warm fluid and not freeze again.
FrontRange4Runner
New member
This happened to me on I70 in the mountains on a particularly bad day. It was obvious that there was frozen fluid because it would only take 1/4 of a gallon before it was full, and would run out after very minimal use. My tank was fine, it was just the Walmart "-20" rated fluid that was full of shit. Granted it was cold, but more like -10 to 15. I now only run the expensive -32 to -40 stuff. Having a wiper fluid issue on a busy, snowy mountain road is not something that I will be repeating. I was able to get it unfrozen by letting the vehicle idle, allowing the engine bay to heat up a bit, all while constantly running new fluid through it. Total pain in the ass, but when you need to see, you need to see. At home, you could always just heat up new fluid, or even water, to melt the ice. Then run the system until it is dry, making sure there is nothing remaining of the suspect fluid. Finish by spending a dollar more on fluid that will not let you down.
Ron4RNevada
New member
I use the -20 degree stuff year round up here. If you were in the Tahoe Truckee area over the Christmas holidays the night time temps were actually down to -8..........
Christmas Day on I-80
Christmas Day on I-80
BlackWorksInc
New member
[MENTION=118209]Ron4RNevada[/MENTION]
Yuck, there's hardly any snow on the road! What a bummer, no wonder you guys needed washer fluid!
Yuck, there's hardly any snow on the road! What a bummer, no wonder you guys needed washer fluid!
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