Case of the disappearing washer fluid

**audi_buff** · 01-15-2010 11:45 AM

Something I've noticed since I bought my car is that the washer fluid reservoir is always empty. I can count on one hand the number of times I've used the system and usually it's only to demonstrate the headlight washers (people are curious...)

I know for sure that I've put at least 8L (approx 2 Gallons) of washer fluid into it since purchase, and the reservoir does fill up, but it drains within 10 seconds. The level reaches the top, I stop filling, and it's like watching a sink empty. No sound, no air bubbles, no leaks underneath, and nothing visible on the ground.

Is there a secondary (massive) reservoir for the headlight washers? That's the only thing I can come up with. Like I said there is no obvious place where the fluid is going, and watching underneath the car shows nothing. Should I just keep filling and filling it? (I get free fluid @ work so this is not an issue

)

TIA

**I should note that the low fluid warning never comes on, and there is always fluid when I use the system. Never seems to be dry....

**Dan1969** · 01-15-2010 12:21 PM

the most common problem would be your washer bottle itself, it could very well be one of the hoses going to your headlight washers... you need to look at it very carefully, 8 liters of fluid don't just magically dissappear, they go somewhere...

**IVRINGS** · 01-15-2010 12:32 PM

It just has it all in the large area under that one. Just keep putting it in there and it will fill up soon. ;)

**omgwtfbbq!** · 01-15-2010 12:42 PM

Or you need to call stephen hawking right now so you can split the nobel prize money for discovering the first microscopic black hole.

**OneBadAudi** · 01-15-2010 12:44 PM

I thought the same thing man, But i bought a big ass bottle of washer fluid and it took the WHOLE bottle..It takes a lot of fluid, the damn tank is huge..

**Killerteve** · 01-15-2010 01:03 PM

This may not be the case if you're not seeing it drain anywhere, but I have had the driver's side headlight pump crack twice which causes everything to drain out and have no pressure in the system. Luckily I made them fix it the first time for free, but now it's broken again and the fluid drains out pretty much immediately like you are saying.

**IVRINGS** · 01-15-2010 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by OneBadAudi

I thought the same thing man, But i bought a big ass bottle of washer fluid and it took the WHOLE bottle..It takes a lot of fluid, the damn tank is huge..

I was kinda shocked cause it was dry when I first got my car. It took over one bottle and still wanted more. I can put one that is 20% bigger then normal and fill it that way.

**audi_buff** · 01-15-2010 04:37 PM

I keep thinking it could be a leak, but like I said there is tonnes of pressure whenever I do use the sprayers. The car is just COVERED in fluid. And if it was all draining out, wouldn't the low washer fluid sensor be chiming in? It could be broken but I doubt it.

I'll throw another jug in there on monday and see what happens...

Originally Posted by IVRINGS

I was kinda shocked cause it was dry when I first got my car. It took over one bottle and still wanted more. I can put one that is 20% bigger then normal and fill it that way.

I had the same thing when I bought it. Looked bone dry. Must hold more fluid than a minivan given how much I've put in though...

**Spinnetti** · 01-15-2010 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by audi_buff

Something I've noticed since I bought my car is that the washer fluid reservoir is always empty. I can count on one hand the number of times I've used the system and usually it's only to demonstrate the headlight washers (people are curious...)

I know for sure that I've put at least 8L (approx 2 Gallons) of washer fluid into it since purchase, and the reservoir does fill up, but it drains within 10 seconds. The level reaches the top, I stop filling, and it's like watching a sink empty. No sound, no air bubbles, no leaks underneath, and nothing visible on the ground.

Is there a secondary (massive) reservoir for the headlight washers? That's the only thing I can come up with. Like I said there is no obvious place where the fluid is going, and watching underneath the car shows nothing. Should I just keep filling and filling it? (I get free fluid @ work so this is not an issue

)

TIA

**I should note that the low fluid warning never comes on, and there is always fluid when I use the system. Never seems to be dry....

There's an upper part and a lower part... upper part always looks empty, but the lower bit holds like a gallon. Pretty sure mine leaks a bit too though, and mine also always looks empty. I removed my headlight washers, but I think they tend to leak at the junction between the upper bit and the lower bit I'd guess. Doesn't take long for a little leak to evaporate the stuff away..

**wolfdog** · 01-15-2010 06:19 PM

Remove headlights to check their washer pumps. there's probably a slow drip out of the headlight washers. I had the same problem. Apparently when the reservoir was filled it was enough fluid weight to produce enough pressure at the passenger headlight washer seal/gasket to drip. The dripping ceased sometime when the volume was down into the lower hidden part of the reservoir.

To fix, I grabbed the pump and twisted the bottom around a bit, leaving it at a different angel than what I found. Problem solved.