Hey, this is my first post so I am sorry if I don't include necessary info, just ask. I have found some wonderful information on this forum so I hope someone can help.


I have a 2004 XJ8 and since I bought it the windshield washers have not worked. The reservoir is full, I can hear the pump running but no water comes out. Today I put a hose in the reservoir to flush it out as others have suggested and some clear goey stuff came up but not a lot. Still won't work. I disconnected the line at the T joint in the cowl and ran water back through the line. Water came out the jets fine, the other direction the water ran out from under the car roughly underneath where the reservoir appears to be. I was expecting it to run out the top of the reservoir instead - is this normal for it to run out underneath the car?


My suspicion is that there is a line not connected properly somewhere underneath, but it appears most of the washer system is buried somewhere I cannot see or get too. I have searched to find where the lines run, etc, but apparently this is a secret. Does anyone have a schematic of the washer system or can assist me in some way how to access the underneath of it to investigate further?

 

NO, it is not normal for the washer fluid to leak out onto the road !

The key to your problem would seem to be the "gooey stuff". Washer bottles and pipes can get gunged up with bacterial goo, (yes, really !), and only a full flush with hot water and removal of the filter before the pump and cleaning it out cures it. I had a similar problem on a Rover 75. On that car, somebody put some instructions on the internet, so I was able to remove the pump and filter, clean them out and flush out the reservoir. I used boiling water first, then a hose.

On the Jaguar the reservoir is really only accessible from the wheel arch, or from underneath. If you're going in via the wheel arch, you need to remove the plastic liner, and then will be able to see the reservoir. There is normally a plastic gauze filter before the fluid gets to the pump. This blocks up, so the system stops working. It sounds like the supply tube has come detached from the pump so you're going to have to fiddle around a bit to reconnect it.

AFAIK, there is no diagram, you just have to fathom it our yourself, unless someone comes on here who has done it before.

 

Hi splashdwn1,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums!

We're a friendly group, so please visit the New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum so we can give you a proper welcome and learn something about you and your Jaguar.

Cheers,

Don

 

Is there a product called CLR available where you are? It dissolves deposits in the water used as directed I have had success with it. Or google it maybe.

By the way welcome to Jaguar Forums. Neil

 

Thanks for the info. Looks like I will be going through the wheel opening to inspect the issue. It probably won't be today as it is 28 degrees outside but I will post back with what I find when it warms up.

 

I had the same problem. Easy to get to motor since most of the plastic shield around tire is missing. LOL. I removed hose and cleaned out elbow with pipe cleaner. Works great now. Thanks for the great information.

 

Any idea where to find wheel well plastic shield?