Windshield Washer Fluid mystery

[SlickGT1]

Strange indeed. Maybe some o-ring freezing up and leaking. Maybe some frozen water expanding something. I keep de-icer type of fluid in there during winter.

[Yugo]

I have an '02 X5 3.0 w/o headlight washers. My fluid is leaking and I cannot find where. I have replaced both pumps and both seals/filter grommets - and, it's still leaking! Whenever i look everything is dry. It does not appear to be the tank or hoses. Does anyone know what else it could be? Thanks!

[edco]

I ended up having to put some silicone under the strainer to keep it from leaking, despite replacing the strains and pumps.

[Yugo]

Thanks Edco, I will try that (although grommets are new, they do seem loose) !

[KCMoore2013]

Just went through ALL of this last month.
First of all, disconnect the headlight washer pump (Sitting by itself, facing the exhaust manifold, with hose going towards the headlights). It is a worthless feature that is only triggered when the headlights are on.

Second, replace the two pumps and filter/grommets that are side by side. (Front and rear washer pumps) (Pelicanparts has all this stuff, cheap).

REMOVE the plastic elbow from the rear washer pump...which is located closest to the passenger fender, and it's hose goes up and between the WW tank and strut tower, then through the firewall. Attach that hose directly to the pump, making sure you have enough slack to not put a kink in it when you put the tank back in place.

Headlight washer DELETE:
Now, back to the headlight washer pump...even though it's disconnected, it will pass fluid through it because of gravity. I took the pump out, filled the grommet/filter screen with red RV silicone, let it cure, and put it back in. I quickly realized that the grommets/filter screens make their seal by the insertion of the pump nozzle...when you insert the pump, it expands the grommet to make a tight seal.
SO, if you decide to delete the pump completely, like I did, just put some red RV silicone around the bottom of the grommet where it makes contact with the rim of the hole in the tank. Obviously make sure the tank is empty and the hole surface is clean.

Now I am completely leak-free. I didn't take any pictures at the time because I was shotgunning for three weeks. I can take pics tonight and post if anyone wants to see exactly what I'm talking about.

[Yugo]

I'm at a loss. I've changed the filter/grommets and the pumps and it still leaks. I've also tried silicone and even plumbers putty but nothing seems to work. I don't think it is the tank. The pumps seem to fit loose in the grommets, could it be poor specifications? Anyone have additional ideas? Something so simple shouldn't be so frustrating!

[gogz2005]

Originally Posted by Yugo

I'm at a loss. I've changed the filter/grommets and the pumps and it still leaks. I've also tried silicone and even plumbers putty but nothing seems to work. I don't think it is the tank. The pumps seem to fit loose in the grommets, could it be poor specifications? Anyone have additional ideas? Something so simple shouldn't be so frustrating!

Yes Yugo I know what is your problem, The hoses end that are going into the motor becomes dry with time and you will need to buy some fasteners and tight them together " The smallest fastener I found in LOWES was 1/4 inch and it worked OK. ", I had the same issue but my leak was coming from a very tiny hole in one of the motors too. Don't use silicone or putty, make it looks professional and even that those pumps fit lose but the leak is not from those grommets, that's is how it was designed. I hope that can help.

[HEISING]

It's leaking out of one of your pump bodies. They sonically weld the pumps together, and they split at the seam. You will find that it will only leak when the X5 is hot. This is when the plastic expands and lets the fluid slowly drip out. The seam is about level or close to the outlet of the pump. Smear some silicone around the pump housing at the weld ("when the pump is dry" of course) let it set, and off you go.

[Yugo]

Thanks Gogz2005, i will try clamping the hoses. What type of clamp; a hose clamp or pinch clamp?

To Heising - but both pumps are brand new. Are you saying they can still leak?

[HEISING]

You say both pumps are new? There is a chance since the seam is where they always seem to leak. My tank has 3 pumps on it. Yours only has 2??