Windshield washer reservoir leaking

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 10:33 AM

...and the warranty expired last month. What's it gonna take to remedy this? I've searched and my car doesn't have the washers (no headlight washers) that seem to leak so this can't be it. I also saw that there's a hose that can leak, if this is it, is it something I can get anywhere or an Audi only part? What's the cost and how hard is it to change? Thanks for the heads up.

**jaredpgh** · 03-10-2005 10:39 AM

look on top of the reservoir, there are what I believe is the pump and a few wires. press down on that whole assembly as hard as you can (its a weird angle). mine did that too, i pressed down on it, and no more leaks.

**fanuvbrak** · 03-10-2005 10:51 AM

do your headlamp washers work? the headlamp washer pump is notorious for cracking and until you really look at it, it seems like the reservoir is leaking. $50 part and 30 minutes.

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 10:52 AM

Would it have to be a leak caused from pressure for that to be the problem? Last time I filled it was only a couple days ago and I didn't have a chance to even use the fluid so it's not a pressure based problem. Was yours doing this as well or was it leaking when you were using.

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 10:53 AM

Originally posted by fanuvbrak
do your headlamp washers work? the headlamp washer pump is notorious for cracking and until you really look at it, it seems like the reservoir is leaking. $50 part and 30 minutes.

As I said, they don't exist on my car so they can't be leaking.

**fanuvbrak** · 03-10-2005 10:54 AM

pure leak. the housing cracks. mine got so bad that as i filled it, fluid would pour out the bottom.

**A4Andrew** · 03-10-2005 11:14 AM

There are 3 places where it can leak and they had all leaked on me: the pump(1 on each reservoir), the clamps on the hose connecting the 2 reservoir, and the connecter no the bumper to the headlight washers.

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 11:29 AM

Originally posted by A4Andrew
There are 3 places where it can leak and they had all leaked on me: the pump(1 on each reservoir), the clamps on the hose connecting the 2 reservoir, and the connecter no the bumper to the headlight washers.

Once again....

I DO NOT HAVE THE HEADLIGHT WASHERS.

It's my windshield washer reservoir that's leaking.

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 11:30 AM

Originally posted by fanuvbrak
pure leak. the housing cracks. mine got so bad that as i filled it, fluid would pour out the bottom.

So, do you have to replace the entire reservoir then to repair?

**fanuvbrak** · 03-10-2005 11:31 AM

Originally posted by Jer
As I said, they don't exist on my car so they can't be leaking.

i thought they were standard and all a4's had them. you sure they just don't work?

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 12:48 PM

Originally posted by fanuvbrak
i thought they were standard and all a4's had them. you sure they just don't work?

Nope. Not standard and not on my car.

**A4 in SC** · 03-10-2005 01:59 PM

Also, check to make sure the 'sending unit' is pushed into place as well. I know I inadventenly knocked mine somehow and it was leaking around it. Pushed it back in and fixed that problem. Now I have to deal with the headlight washer problem though...

Obviously, I undertsand you don't have headlight washers, but I was under the assumption that all North American B5s came with them too. Possibly the previous owner took them off and had your bumper filled in. If so, the hoses that originally went to the headlight washers could be leaking (not properly blocked off). If not, check to make sure all of the lines are in tact, and that the housing itself is leaking. IF you find the location of the leak (and it's the housing) I would certainly try using some silicone to patch it before replacing the whole reservoir. Looks like it would be a major PITA to replace.

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 02:05 PM

I went outside before I read your post to have a quick look. I took off the lid and pulled the strainer out of the top and looked down into the reservoir and I can see a small round black part with what looks like two electrodes that extend into the reservoir mounted to the engine side of the tank. I assume this is the level indicator and I noticed it looked like the seal is pushed inward toward the inside of the housing as if it had been pushed from the outside. Is this what you're describing? It's a little hard to see down in there but it looks like the washer fluid level might be just under that which is kind of what I was suspecting.

Also, there's no headlight washers and where they normally go are plugs that look to be that way from the factory. I wasn't aware they were all supposed to come with them. Hmmm...

**A4 in SC** · 03-10-2005 02:10 PM

Yep, that's what I'm referring to. I was able to get to the indicator (or sending unit) from the outside of the reservior.

Fill the reservior up (with water if you want) and look all around to see if you can find the leak. Chances are you'll be able to. I know it took me quite a while to find the leaking h/l washer, but I was able to. I 'blanked' it off and then the other side started leaking. Now I have to replace TWO headlight washers.. ARGH!!

**fanuvbrak** · 03-10-2005 02:12 PM

Originally posted by Jer
I went outside before I read your post to have a quick look. I took off the lid and pulled the strainer out of the top and looked down into the reservoir and I can see a small round black part with what looks like two electrodes that extend into the reservoir mounted to the engine side of the tank. I assume this is the level indicator and I noticed it looked like the seal is pushed inward toward the inside of the housing as if it had been pushed from the outside. Is this what you're describing? It's a little hard to see down in there but it looks like the washer fluid level might be just under that which is kind of what I was suspecting.

Also, there's no headlight washers and where they normally go are plugs that look to be that way from the factory. I wasn't aware they were all supposed to come with them. Hmmm...

pull up on those "plugs" i'll bet there's a sprinkler underneath...

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 02:30 PM

Originally posted by fanuvbrak
pull up on those "covers" i'll bet there's a sprinkler underneath...

I must be retarded then if they're under there. What activates them or do they automatically pop up when the windshield washer is activated?

**BoostinA4** · 03-10-2005 02:57 PM

they automatically pop up, sometimes there isent enough pressure so they dont work, i just scrapped mine when adding my fmic ...and i believe you owe everyone an apology for getting bold up there

**A4 in SC** · 03-10-2005 03:10 PM

They'll automatically 'pop up' when you use your windshield washers and the headlights are on. They will NOT work if the lights are off.

**Jer** · 03-10-2005 04:31 PM

Originally posted by BoostinA4
they automatically pop up, sometimes there isent enough pressure so they dont work, i just scrapped mine when adding my fmic ...and i believe you owe everyone an apology for getting bold up there

I agree and had planned on it. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm sorry for snapping guys and it was a n00b mistake as I thought the headlight washers were externally visible as on most cars you can see them even when not in use. I assumed that this car did not have them and when everyone kept telling me about the washers I felt that they weren't reading my post first stating that I did not have them.

Now that that's over... on to fixing the problem. I will see if I can push that seal back in from the inside. Were you able to do it form the inside with a long screwdriver or is it easier to jack up the car and remove the wheel and wheel well cover and take the tank out and pull the sender out and push it back in correctly?

**A4 in SC** · 03-11-2005 06:31 AM

Originally posted by Jer
...or is it easier to jack up the car and remove the wheel and wheel well cover and take the tank out and pull the sender out and push it back in correctly?

I'd try this way first. Much more room on the outside of the 'tank' than on the inside...

Hope you find your 'leak'. I'm sure you will though.

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