windshield washer leak

[musiclover2000]

It’s a 2003 grand am 3.4L When it’s filled completely to the top it will go down little more than half way on the filler neck. After driving the car I can smell the fluid soon as I step out of the car. Took me awhile to track down what that smell was. I filled it up one day thats when I noticed the smell was a lot stronger after driving it and the fluid went down. I may just leave it if the leak doesn’t get worse but

Anyone know where the most common place for these to leak is?

Thank you

Topic

[619DioFan]

Fairly common for the plastic tank to crack with age. also check the rubber fluid line for splits/pin holes.

[Steve]

I have a 2001 same car, same engine. Can you tell where it is leaking? Should only be one hose going from tank to the blades I’m thinking and an electrical connection that runs it. If the tank itself is not leaking, I would think the hose might be. I wouldn’t think a washer fluid tank of that age would be bad so as to leak. Check your hose connection from the fluid tank to the wipers and see if you can detect any leaks. Maybe have someone activate the windshield washer from inside the car while you watch it while the hood is up. If a hose is bad, I would think you will then see the washer spraying out from somewhere. If so, I would think using some electrical tape to wrap it would fix the problem unless you just want to replace the hose. The washer fluid isn’t under any real pressure or anything; it just sits there until you activate the fluid when you need it.

[college man]

Can you see washer fluid on the ground. a visual inspection
will be needed of the tank and hoses.

[musiclover2000]

The tank is covered up from the plastic weather moulding on bottom of car so its hard to tell if its leaking, it could have dried to.

I will take a look at it, thanks for all the replies

Thanks

[MARK FELDSTEIN]

This is pretty simple to diagnose. Remove the tank, fill it and check for leaks both in the case and around fitting connections. If you find a cracked tank you can probably fix it with some Q-Bond plastic adhesive. Check the hoses to the windshield water spritzers for leaks. Easy to remove and test and replace. Oh, and use water rather than washer solution until you find the source of your fluid loss to save some dough. 😉
M.

[Author]

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