Leaking Washer Bottle
Discussion
As a Christmas present to me, the car has decided to give me a leak!! 
In simple terms, when I pour water into the washer reservoir, it appears under the car and the bottle remains empty!!
The car is a late '99 4.5 with the front F1 panel lying flat over the radiators.
I know I can get at some of the washer bottle by removing the F1 panel, but I seem to remember it's not easy to get at (I don't know why I remember this bit!!).
So, before I start getting the allen keys out, can anyone tell me if it's best to go this way or through the wheelarch opening, and maybe someone has had this problem before and can hazard a guess?
Incidentally, this has all started after the garage replaced a bit of melted washer pipe they found when doing another job (the shame of it as I'm usually very good at ensuring it's clipped out of the way) and I wonder if they've pulled the pipe a bit too far and simply pulled it off the end of the washer bottle??
As always, any help gratefully received!!
Cheers
Rob
In simple terms, when I pour water into the washer reservoir, it appears under the car and the bottle remains empty!!The car is a late '99 4.5 with the front F1 panel lying flat over the radiators.
I know I can get at some of the washer bottle by removing the F1 panel, but I seem to remember it's not easy to get at (I don't know why I remember this bit!!).
So, before I start getting the allen keys out, can anyone tell me if it's best to go this way or through the wheelarch opening, and maybe someone has had this problem before and can hazard a guess?
Incidentally, this has all started after the garage replaced a bit of melted washer pipe they found when doing another job (the shame of it as I'm usually very good at ensuring it's clipped out of the way) and I wonder if they've pulled the pipe a bit too far and simply pulled it off the end of the washer bottle??
As always, any help gratefully received!!
Cheers
Rob
You could start by taking out the f1 panel but sods law states you'll be taking the front offside wheel off next.
This was the first issue I had and it led to a full chassis rebuild as I had no jacking points.
Its just a rubbish design some random selection filling pipe loosely coupled to a tiny bottle thrown/abandoned in an inaccessable cave, (the front wing cavity).
My advice is get right in there and get it all out, sort out your washer tubing and washer pump, drag all the leaves out clean it all up and seal it all back in, a pain, but mildly satisfying when it looks clean and works better than ever.
All the best
Karl
This was the first issue I had and it led to a full chassis rebuild as I had no jacking points.
Its just a rubbish design some random selection filling pipe loosely coupled to a tiny bottle thrown/abandoned in an inaccessable cave, (the front wing cavity).
My advice is get right in there and get it all out, sort out your washer tubing and washer pump, drag all the leaves out clean it all up and seal it all back in, a pain, but mildly satisfying when it looks clean and works better than ever.
All the best
Karl
If it's the later version with the washer bottle filling point at the front near the power steering fluid filler, it could well be just the corragated piece of pipe has come adrift from the actual washer bottle neck. You can reach this pipe from the drivers side wheelarch and push it back onto the washer bottle neck.
Good luck
Regards
Simon
Good luck
Regards
Simon
SimonKD said:
If it's the later version with the washer bottle filling point at the front near the power steering fluid filler, it could well be just the corragated piece of pipe has come adrift from the actual washer bottle neck. You can reach this pipe from the drivers side wheelarch and push it back onto the washer bottle neck.
Good luck
Regards
Simon
This.Good luck
Regards
Simon
Thanks for the feedback guys.
Mine is in the front, next to the power steering reservoir, so probably in the wing cavity - maybe that's why I remember not being able to get at it easily when I had the F1 panel off.
I guess I'll have to get the wheel off (must go grab some sealant) and have a good look around.
I now also need to get the F1 panel off as one of the front bonnet hinges has come loose and reading up on here it seems it's best to take the air scoop off and access the back of the hinge that way.
Thankfully, I have a garage out of the rain but it's a job for later in the week!
Thanks again!
Rob
Mine is in the front, next to the power steering reservoir, so probably in the wing cavity - maybe that's why I remember not being able to get at it easily when I had the F1 panel off.
I guess I'll have to get the wheel off (must go grab some sealant) and have a good look around.
I now also need to get the F1 panel off as one of the front bonnet hinges has come loose and reading up on here it seems it's best to take the air scoop off and access the back of the hinge that way.
Thankfully, I have a garage out of the rain but it's a job for later in the week!
Thanks again!
Rob
Hope these help. Photo's showing the water bottle while looking through the headlamp hole.
You have two inspection hatches as can be seen in the pics.
I'd go through the top one first and replace the hose before trying to pull the bottle out. The hose is very flimsy mine has split all over the place. Also if yours is like mine the housing behind the indicator is in the way of lifting the bottle up so this will need to be removed also. Not sure why the bottle is not attached to the larger inspection hatch like the Air con dryer is on the other side. But then these are TVR's lol
You have two inspection hatches as can be seen in the pics.
I'd go through the top one first and replace the hose before trying to pull the bottle out. The hose is very flimsy mine has split all over the place. Also if yours is like mine the housing behind the indicator is in the way of lifting the bottle up so this will need to be removed also. Not sure why the bottle is not attached to the larger inspection hatch like the Air con dryer is on the other side. But then these are TVR's lol
So, an update!!
Thanks Mark for the pictures too.
Well, I eventually took the wheel off and removed the inspection panel. I then tried the washers only to find the connection in the engine bay had come loose and was pumping water onto the floor! A quick fix and hopefully that's sorted!
I tried to fill the washer bottle and yes, the flexible filler pipe is split!! I've removed it and now need to find a replacement. Anyone got any ideas where I can get this tube and what it's called? I'm trying to get hold of a fellow Cerbera owner who is a mate and a plumber!!
Whilst I was at it, I also managed to tighten the n/s bonnet hinge that had come lose, hopefully holding the bonnet off the front airbox - I need smaller hands for these jobs!!
So, anyone any ideas about where to get a pipe? I went to the local Plumb Center who flogged me a washing machine outlet pipe that I hoped to cut to fit, but the diameters are all wrong!!
Any help very welcome!!
Cheers
Rob
Thanks Mark for the pictures too.
Well, I eventually took the wheel off and removed the inspection panel. I then tried the washers only to find the connection in the engine bay had come loose and was pumping water onto the floor! A quick fix and hopefully that's sorted!
I tried to fill the washer bottle and yes, the flexible filler pipe is split!! I've removed it and now need to find a replacement. Anyone got any ideas where I can get this tube and what it's called? I'm trying to get hold of a fellow Cerbera owner who is a mate and a plumber!!
Whilst I was at it, I also managed to tighten the n/s bonnet hinge that had come lose, hopefully holding the bonnet off the front airbox - I need smaller hands for these jobs!!
So, anyone any ideas about where to get a pipe? I went to the local Plumb Center who flogged me a washing machine outlet pipe that I hoped to cut to fit, but the diameters are all wrong!!
Any help very welcome!!
Cheers
Rob
Quick update!!
My mate (Keith an ex Cerbera owner - thanks!!) has managed to get me a bit of pipe - from a fish supplier (garden ponds etc...). Its a pipe for plumbing in garden ponds, and looks like it will do the trick!!
I'll even end up with some spare if anyone else is stuck!!
Another source of parts should anyone else be stuck!!
Cheers
Rob
My mate (Keith an ex Cerbera owner
- thanks!!) has managed to get me a bit of pipe - from a fish supplier (garden ponds etc...). Its a pipe for plumbing in garden ponds, and looks like it will do the trick!!I'll even end up with some spare if anyone else is stuck!!
Another source of parts should anyone else be stuck!!
Cheers
Rob
Robscim said:
Quick update!!
My mate (Keith an ex Cerbera owner - thanks!!) has managed to get me a bit of pipe - from a fish supplier (garden ponds etc...). Its a pipe for plumbing in garden ponds, and looks like it will do the trick!!
He's a fool to himself that man!!My mate (Keith an ex Cerbera owner
- thanks!!) has managed to get me a bit of pipe - from a fish supplier (garden ponds etc...). Its a pipe for plumbing in garden ponds, and looks like it will do the trick!!Honestly, watching you fix things is like watching Clarkson fix things!
A.
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