Windshield Washer Lines Freezing

[Roadstar01]

Has anyone experienced the windshield washer lines freezing up? Have had some snow and cold temps (single digits) in NJ this past week. I noticed after leaving the truck sit the lines freeze. Once the truck warms up the lines seem to thaw with the drivers side taking longer. Especially when driving down the road causing wind chill. Parked the truck outside in the evening, after sitting there for a few hours the lines thawed. On the drive home about, 20 minutes, the lines had frozen again. Had full, uncut, Peak windshield washer antifreeze (-20) in the reservoir. I thought I read somewhere on here about insulating the lines due to the hood not having insulation but cannot seem to find the thread. I have a 13 SR5

Thanks for your input, Keith

 

[CookieRoe]

Yep, here too. Windshield washer fluid should be good for single digits, but mine froze on me couple of days ago when the temp went down to 7. Water probably accumulated in the tank (or droplets froze in the lines as you imply). Not sure how to remove the tank on the 5th gens, but I'm going to try to take my tank out (looks easy), drain it and refill with FRESH washer fluid. Wonder how peeps in places like Minnesota do and if they have this problem.

 

[jrandom]

If the pump motor is similar to the older models you can just lightly pry the pump of the bottom of the tank and drain it that way. It is easier that removing the whole tank. OR you can just get 6 or so feet of clear hose and go old school and just syphon the tank dry.

Most wiper fluids are simply different dilutions of methyl alcohol, try throwing together a less dilute batch.

 

[Intruder]

Check this recent thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157493-how-thaw-washer-bottle.html

 

[Roadstar01]

Check this recent thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157493-how-thaw-washer-bottle.html

That's the thread I was looking for. Had the truck serviced by the dealer a few months back. They must have added water. After the first freeze I topped the washer bottle off with full Peak washer anti-freeze. Today air temp in NJ was 4 degrees with wind chill of -10 to -20. No spray coming from the sprayers. Tried all the way to work, 1/2 hr and still no spray. Even with stopping at red lights thinking the engine would thaw the lines. Will look at the bottle to see if it is frozen. If the bottle in not frozen does anyone, ANTMAN, have any ideas as to insulating the sprayer lines under the hood?

Thanks again!

 

[KidVermicious]

If you don't want to change it out completely, a bottle of rubbing alcohol or Heet will lower the freezing point of whatever washer fluid you have in there.

I like the yellow Prestone stuff in the winter, never had any trouble with it freezing.

 

[dhylander]

Today air temp in NJ was 4 degrees with wind chill of -10 to -20.

I really think you have some residual water in the line somewhere that froze up. I'm in NJ too and have the same temperatures going on and have not had any problems with my washer. I have an LE with the insulation on the hood, but I would think that would only make the situation worse as the lines run between the insulation and the hood, reducing any heating effect from the engine. I use the Rain-x -25 fluid, and always top it off before I go to the dealer for service so they don't add in anything else.

 

[dekeman]

If the problem persists after adding some fluid rated for -40, you could always resort to insulated tubing sleeves.

 

[Roadstar01]

I really think you have some residual water in the line somewhere that froze up. I'm in NJ too and have the same temperatures going on and have not had any problems with my washer. I have an LE with the insulation on the hood, but I would think that would only make the situation worse as the lines run between the insulation and the hood, reducing any heating effect from the engine. I use the Rain-x -25 fluid, and always top it off before I go to the dealer for service so they don't add in anything else.

Thanks to all for the thoughts and replies. I think the Stealer topped of the fluid with water. I will try drain or use most of it and use straight Washer Anti Freeze.