Window washer fluid leak behind left front wheel

[JimEE]

2000, Boxster S. I didn't do anything and it just started to leak. Well, I was getting it ready for winter storage, so I did do some things!! Washed it for the last time, yesterday, parked it at 55 degrees. Today, pumped the tires to 50, took it out for one last spin to get it fully warmed up (20 degrees outside), about 10 miles. Parked it in its winter spot (55 degrees). Cleaned the windows. Went all around with 303 Protectant on all the rubber stuff. Opened the front hood and did the rubber and wiped the other areas near the battery cover, including the windshield washer fill cap area. After a bit, noticed the fluid leaking with slow but steady drips, from underneath behind the left front wheel well. Dipped my fingers in it and it had essentially no odor. So, I think it's washer fluid, not anti-freeze. Sight greenish color. What the heck?

Jim

[Loren]

Coolant would smell and have a slightly oily feel. Most likely is WW fluid.

Either a broken line or a leaky pump or a cracked tank. You will need to remove the wheel and wheel liner to inspect. The tank and pump(s) (two if you have headlight washers) are high up in the left front fender.

[JimEE]

Thanks, Loren!

[catmanluge]

Coolant would smell and have a slightly oily feel. Most likely is WW fluid.

Either a broken line or a leaky pump or a cracked tank. You will need to remove the wheel and wheel liner to inspect. The tank and pump(s) (two if you have headlight washers) are high up in the left front fender.

Check the hose behind the fender well as my 986 hose was 1/2 of an inch too short -- :renntech: replaced with longer hose and problem ended...

[Z4Oldie]

Hi All

My 2004 2.7 showing exactly same symptoms, bought it 1mth ago.

Took to "independent specialist" who charged my £114 for the privilege of "not able to find leak?" Dove House Motors (UK)

 

Leak still apparent, (the car has headlight washers with 1 nozzle missing - would this have a bearing on the leak?)

Called them again and they are saying they would need to investigate more and this is chargeable!!

 

My question is, should I just keep topping up with water, and leave it leaking (water costs zilch)

Will the water intrude into car if I do?

 

Hope someone can help, I am missing my BMW Z4  :help:

[JFP in PA]

Hi All

My 2004 2.7 showing exactly same symptoms, bought it 1mth ago.

Took to "independent specialist" who charged my £114 for the privilege of "not able to find leak?" Dove House Motors (UK)

 

Leak still apparent, (the car has headlight washers with 1 nozzle missing - would this have a bearing on the leak?)

Called them again and they are saying they would need to investigate more and this is chargeable!!

 

My question is, should I just keep topping up with water, and leave it leaking (water costs zilch)

Will the water intrude into car if I do?

 

Hope someone can help, I am missing my BMW Z4  :help:

 

First, welcome to RennTech :welcome:

 

Perhaps it is just me, but I would not allow it to continue to leak.  While the water will not get into the car's interior, continuous leaks can lead to other issues like rust or the water getting into electrical connections and causing all sorts of problems.  Another consideration is freezing; while you may not be subject to the temperature extremes we get here (it is 3 F this morning), if you keep adding water to a system with a leak, eventually it could freeze and split multiple components, which gets expensive.  Take the car to someone that knows what they are doing and get it fixed properly.  As mentioned above, often these leaks are just a disconnected or short hose, which can be remedied for very little money.

 

The missing nozzle should not have any impact on the leakage, but it will put a dent in you wallet as they are not cheap.