Windscreen Washer Fluid Leaks – What’s Going On?
If you’ve ever gone to clean your windscreen driving down Peachgrove Road on a foggy morning, hit the button, and nothing comes out – chances are your windscreen washer fluid is having a bit of a moment. It’s a pretty common issue around Hamilton, especially with all the potholes, endless stop-start traffic heading out to The Base or cruising through Hillcrest. Sometimes it’s just getting on in years, sometimes it’s a bit of bad luck with our weather or NZ road conditions.
Your washer reservoir sits tucked away, usually near the base of the windscreen under the bonnet. On a lot of cars – like that blue Suzuki Swift from Cambridge, or a trusty Toyota Blade that came in from Morrinsville – the plastic tank’s easy to see, even if it’s a bit fiddly to reach. Modern vehicles try to keep them away from the hot stuff, but on older ones, the fluid tank can be a bit too close to the exhaust or other hot bits, especially on those zippy little Honda Fits and VW Polos we see a lot in Hamilton.
Why Do Washer Fluid Leaks Happen?
You’d be amazed how much a cracked or leaking washer tank can mess you around. Sometimes it’s age and heat – parked up on Victoria Street, stuck in traffic, or just years of sun baking under the bonnet. Older cars, like the Subaru Legacy that’s clocked up a few tours between Hamilton and Raglan, often get cracks from the plastic going brittle.
Another big culprit is folks topping up with plain water rather than proper washer fluid. Washer fluid’s not just coloured blue or green for fun – it’s got chemicals to stop it freezing in those nasty Rototuna winter mornings. Chuck water in, park up overnight during a cold snap, and by the time it thaws, the tank might be split. One of our techs swears half the Mazda Demio leaks we get are from folks with a “she’ll be right” approach to their mix.
How Can You Tell If It’s Leaking?
Lots of people spot a patch of blue (or green) fluid under the front of their car, usually near a wheel – had a customer in from Te Awamutu with a tidy Kia Sportage, said she thought it was coolant at first until we checked. If you keep topping up that washer tank but it’s always empty by the time you get to Chartwell or Glenview, odds are you’ve got a leak somewhere.
Sometimes you’ll hear the pump whirring away when you pull the lever, but no spray hits the glass. That’s often a dead giveaway for a busted tank or split hose – especially if the reservoir’s run dry and the pump’s just sucking on air. If you let that keep happening, the pump can burn out, and fixing those on something like a BMW 1 Series can be more hassle (and cost) than you’d like.
Another weird one is when the nozzles block up, but you’ve still got fluid in the tank – can be mold if someone’s been doing straight water for ages. That’ll usually need a new tank, sometimes new lines too.
What Can You Do?
Don’t ignore it. It’s not just about having a clean windscreen, either – try getting a WOF in Hamilton with no washer fluid, and you might be knocked back. Keep the proper washer fluid topped up, not just water. If you’re not sure, pop by and ask – even if you drive a not-so-common Opel Astra or an Isuzu MU-X, we see all sorts.
Getting your car serviced, even just a basic one, means a tech will check your washer fluid, spot any leaks, and make sure everything sprays as it should. At Grimmer Motors, we’re all about honest advice, whether you’re driving out from Tamahere or stuck on Ulster Street. We’ll sort you out, no dramas.