Frozen Washer fluid causes leak from reservoir

[AJSanderson]

Hi - I know we have had a very bad cold spell. The washer fluid in my reservoir froze, so I ran the engine for 15mins while I de-iced the car, and sprayed the jets. After about 20mins of driving there was still not fluid flowing from the jets. I would expect by then, that the engine bay was warm enough to defrost the fluid. (and before anyone states the obvious - yes I did check the fluid was Topped up ). I have rang the garage and they say it's because I repeatly tried to use the jets that there was a build up of pressure which has caused the Pipes to become detatched.
I get the feeling that they saying is my fault for the leak, but to be honest I did everything that would deemed to be reasonable. If I had a warning lamp to say the fluid was low , then I would have sences something was not right. has anyone else had this problem.
And would you recommend heated jets etc. And how do I get them fitted as aftermarket. My car is only a year old. I never had this problem with the mark 4.

The garage are going to fix it under warranty.

 

[Spurt]

Sounds to me you not got enough screenwash in there and its freezing up too easy. Cant see warrentt paying for it im suprised you didnt pop a fuse.

 

[phil_monk31]

it is common for the seals to pop when the bottle freezes. This will cause them leak.

 

[AJSanderson]

If its down to not enough screen wash - I just had the car in for its first service the week before this happened. And I also topped up with the screen wash with Antifreeze. So don't think that was the problem.

 

[mardon]

My xenon washers are broken at the moment. Strange thing is the windscreen jets did not freeze up. What else are you supposed to do? They spray automaticly with the wipers. Such a pain!

 

[Spurt]

Fuse.pull. Lol all they do is make the front messy neways.

 

[mardon]

Had a look and couldn't see any blown fuses. They are handy in this mucky weather!

 

[skeat12]

And I also topped up with the screen wash with Antifreeze. So don't think that was the problem.

Hope you meant screen wash? Antifreeze will damage the paintwork.

 

[traumapat]

If its down to not enough screen wash - I just had the car in for its first service the week before this happened. And I also topped up with the screen wash with Antifreeze. So don't think that was the problem.

Antifreeze as in engine coolant?

 

[Beenz]

An old buddy of mine has had 4 Ibizas, but not a curent one, he tells me that on all of them he's popped the washer pipe in the cold for the rear window washer. Seems to be an age old problem. I wonder if any other VAG cars have had this happen.

 

[Nath.]

^^^^yep it's common on the mk2 Leon too, mine popped apart with the reacent cold spell and also blew the fuse to the headlamp washers.

The stealers should do it under warranty it's easy money for them.

 

[mardon]

Do you know where the fuse is for the headlamp washers? I couldn't find it.

 

[AJSanderson]

Blonde moment - Did actual top up with screen wash the stuff that suppossed to be good to -32 degree when you mix 1/1 ratio. Turns out tubes have not popped, I need a new washerpump as it has come apart.
As for my second question - No is the answer you cannot get an after market heater kit for the washer fluid system.

 

[mardon]

There is a winterpack now which will heat the jets. Dont know how much it would cost to retro fit?

 

[AJSanderson]

Had it fixed on Tuesday, New pump worked once and now not working. When I pull the leaver the Wipers work but tere is no water, and no sound from the pump motor . Thought it might be fuse ,I have had a look in the user Manual to find which one is the Fuse for the Pump. I can see the wipers on the list and they are working so one assume it not those ones.