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So I took the XJ out for a drive for the first time in a few weeks. It was very cold here (~5 degrees F) and I used the window washer while I was out.
This morning I come to find a decently large puddle of blue fluid in front of the passenger wheel well.
Could it be that the hoses or tubes in the system are old (2011) need replacing? Strange how it happened right after a drive while using the washer fluid. I don't think the cold should be a problem with the fluid
As it is a common problem with these cars, the first thing I would check is that neither of your headlamp washer jets are jammed partially open. They can dirty and not retract fully, allowing some fluid to leak out. When left this tends to drain just in front of the RH wheel.
To check turn the lights on (they must start off) then have someone start the washers, grab each when extended and use a hose to blast the shafts and nozzles of any debris.
If that doesn't work, you may need to pop off the bumper and have a look.
As it is a common problem with these cars, the first thing I would check is that neither of your headlamp washer jets
If that doesn't work, you may need to pop off the bumper and have a look.
Isn't it easier to remove the wheel and the wheel well liner to get full access to the headlight washers? The wheel well liner is only held in with a few fasteners.
Removing the bumper cover is a bit involved, isn't it?
I find taking the bumper cover off easier and quicker than removing the wheels and arch liners as there is no need to jack up and support the vehicle - but they both achieve the same thing - although you will need to remove the RH wheel and liner if access to the washer bottle is needed.
Hopefully a quick clean of the jets and shaft will be enough to solve this problem though.
You can also have the washer operate (lights need to be on of course), and position your hand just behind the washer system, in the engine compartment (have something at (the other) hand to cover the washer when it sprays or get soaked...).
For reference, here is one of my washer jets. I think the pump (mounted on the washer fluid bottle) forces fluid under pressure which extends the jets. Then the spring inside them pulls them back in and forces out any remaining fluid. The shaft creates a seal inside the housing when fully retracted to prevent fluid leaking out under gravity (the pump is an impeller type so does not isolate the hoses from the bottle). If the shaft does not fully retract there is a path for the fluid to continue to leak out of the jets.
Having had both jets on my 2010 leak (the car in the photo), I now spray water from my car washing into that hole when washing the car to flush out any debris. Since I started doing that 3-4 years ago I've not had any further leaks.
Well it looks like the headlight arms are probably the case. I'm not going to get a chance to clean them until the weather is warmer here. But I drove a couple of times after this, no leaks. Then I took it out again, ran the windshield washer, and sure enough the next day there's another puddle.
I assume if it were a bad hose or cracked resivoir then it would leak consistently, not just when I use the system.
Large Washer Fluid Leak After Very Cold Drive
