Windshield fluid leaking...badly....
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Windshield fluid leaking...badly....
Hi all, I've got another issue with my '94 SSEi (actually, haven't been able to get any of the other stuff fixed yet either).
Basically...I noticed that my washer fluid ran out much quicker than I was expecting (within two weeks or so). So, the other day I buy a new jug of the stuff, and add it to the reservoir. Well, to my surprise, the entire gallon (or however much it was) drained out of the car almost instantly - within 3 or 4 minutes probably. I took a look at the tank to see if it had sprung a leak or something, but I actually saw the stream of fluid coming out of some small black cylindrical thing right up next to the tank, then eventually making its way down onto the ground. And like I said, it was leaking out at full speed, and it looked like it was coming out of some sort of opening on the side.
So....what is that thing that was leaking? Is that the actual pump or what? I can get a picture of it tomorrow if it would help. It almost looked like some hose or something could have been connected to this opening at one point, but I didn't immediately see any loose hose in the area. Would this be expensive to fix...?
Bonus question: I've been having somewhat of a rough idle from time to time. Would this be caused by the O2 sensor that I need to replace? A place quoted me at over $150 to replace it, so I've not yet done it....
As always, thanks for the help!
Basically...I noticed that my washer fluid ran out much quicker than I was expecting (within two weeks or so). So, the other day I buy a new jug of the stuff, and add it to the reservoir. Well, to my surprise, the entire gallon (or however much it was) drained out of the car almost instantly - within 3 or 4 minutes probably. I took a look at the tank to see if it had sprung a leak or something, but I actually saw the stream of fluid coming out of some small black cylindrical thing right up next to the tank, then eventually making its way down onto the ground. And like I said, it was leaking out at full speed, and it looked like it was coming out of some sort of opening on the side.
So....what is that thing that was leaking? Is that the actual pump or what? I can get a picture of it tomorrow if it would help. It almost looked like some hose or something could have been connected to this opening at one point, but I didn't immediately see any loose hose in the area. Would this be expensive to fix...?
Bonus question: I've been having somewhat of a rough idle from time to time. Would this be caused by the O2 sensor that I need to replace? A place quoted me at over $150 to replace it, so I've not yet done it....
As always, thanks for the help!
#2
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There are 2 pumps in your reservior on that car. One for the WS, one for the headlights.
Buy an AC Delco sensor from www.gmpartsdirect.com part numbers are in Techinfo. Install it yourself in 5 minutes. $150 to do that is an absolute scam by doulbe.
Buy an AC Delco sensor from www.gmpartsdirect.com part numbers are in Techinfo. Install it yourself in 5 minutes. $150 to do that is an absolute scam by doulbe.
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Thanks for the quick reply!
That'* kinda what I was thinking (about the price being way too high on the sensor), and I was actually just looking at that page in Techinfo. Where would I find the procedures for swapping it out?
I also noticed when I bought the car, that the headlight washers never worked (and actually one of the four appears to be missing). Could that have anything to do with the sudden leak? I'm hoping it'* something as simple as a hose I can reconnect, but how would I go about troubleshooting that?
That'* kinda what I was thinking (about the price being way too high on the sensor), and I was actually just looking at that page in Techinfo. Where would I find the procedures for swapping it out?
I also noticed when I bought the car, that the headlight washers never worked (and actually one of the four appears to be missing). Could that have anything to do with the sudden leak? I'm hoping it'* something as simple as a hose I can reconnect, but how would I go about troubleshooting that?
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The headlight washer hose comes up through the unibody on the drivers' side. It'* about 3/8" or so. Hard plastic if I remember right. It may be related. The black cylinder you speak of is the pump. There should be a hose fitting on it a some point. Trace the lines from the windshield washers back, they should connect to one of the pumps. Make sure both lines are connected to thier respective pumps.
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Alright, I will check that tomorrow. It did appear to be somewhere a hose could have been connected, I just didn't see one at the time.
And now that I think about it, in the brief period before the fluid had completely leaked out, I tried to use the windshield washers, and nothing at all happened (aside from the movement of the wipers). So that would make sense, as far as the pump being disconnected.
Oh, and before I forget - where is the pump that controls the headlight washers?
And now that I think about it, in the brief period before the fluid had completely leaked out, I tried to use the windshield washers, and nothing at all happened (aside from the movement of the wipers). So that would make sense, as far as the pump being disconnected.
Oh, and before I forget - where is the pump that controls the headlight washers?
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Sorry, I have no idea which pump is which but they should both be visible. I would venture to guess that the pump mounted farther forward in the car would be for the headlight washers.
Good Luck and let us know what you find.
Good Luck and let us know what you find.
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after you plug the hoses back in, keep an eye on things to make sure they dont get blown back out...i had the same problem with mine, and after putting the hose back in, the pressure blew it back out the first time i used it...i solved the problem with duct tape, then later i upgraded to super-glue
#10
one time i noticed i had a low washer fluid level, so i bought a new bottle and started dumping it in...it took the whole bottle, and i closed the hood to go test it, went in the car, turned it on, nothing...opened the hood again, washer fluid was empty. haha...the hose on the bottom was disconnected. easy as that...