Weird windshield washer fluid residue problem

[Boat Racer]

I have a windshield washer fluid residue problem that I have never seen before and can't figure out how best to resolve it. I have had my '13 FFH for about 13 months or so now and since I live in California, I rarely use the windshield washer/sprayer to help clean the windshield. I used it the first time maybe a month ago and after I used it, maybe a day later, I noticed a crystallized clear/whitish looking build up on the wiper blades, the edges of the windshield and on the rear of the hood from the over spray. I thought maybe some type of gunk got in the plumbing lines from the factory and thought it would clean itself after that first use. I used the washer again yesterday and this morning, I noticed the build up again on the wipers, the edges of the windshield and on the rear of the hood from the over spray. This "gunk" comes off fairly easily during a car wash but until the car wash, it is stuck on pretty well. I took it to my local dealer this afternoon to get their take on the problem. The service adviser looked at it, opened the washer filler tube and also saw some crystallized build up in the neck of the filler tube. He said he has never seen this problem before and has no idea what caused this problem. I suggested that they remove the washer reservoir, drain, clean it, then reinstall it and fill with fresh washer fluid (or water). He said that wouldn't be covered under warranty since there are no broken or defective parts to replace and they would have to charge me for a couple hours labor to do that kind of job.

 

My questions are:

Has anyone else ever seen this type of problem?

Any suggestions on how to drain or pump out the almost full washer reservoir so I can refill with fresh fluid? I was thinking of just holding the washer switch on until the reservoir is empty and then refill it with new fluid. The concern that I have with that, is that I doubt the washer pump is constant duty and activating it constantly long enough to pump out the washer reservoir may burn out the pump (or blow a fuse).

 

Any suggestions?

[murphy]

Open the hood. Standing in front of the car looking at the engine look along the left side for the rubber tube running from the reservoir to the nozzles. There is a plastic coupling in the hose that allows it to be separated. Couple the one from the reservoir to another hose and pump it out. The pump is timed and will stop after a while. Let it cool for a few minutes and continue pumping. It holds over a gallon of fluid. Once empty fill with water and pump it out again to get the remainder of the crud. Do you live in a freezing climate? The product that is sold as "bug wash" has no antifreeze in it and will freeze . That would separate whatever is in the stuff from the liquid.

[Boat Racer]

Open the hood. Standing in front of the car looking at the engine look along the left side for the rubber tube running from the reservoir to the nozzles. There is a plastic coupling in the hose that allows it to be separated. Couple the one from the reservoir to another hose and pump it out. The pump is timed and will stop after a while. Let it cool for a few minutes and continue pumping. It holds over a gallon of fluid. Once empty fill with water and pump it out again to get the remainder of the crud. Do you live in a freezing climate? The product that is sold as "bug wash" has no antifreeze in it and will freeze . That would separate whatever is in the stuff from the liquid.

Thank you for the suggestion. I do see the rubber tube running from the reservoir to the nozzles and the plastic coupling where I can separate that line. I will go buy some more tubing the same size and try to pump out the reservoir this week. I lost you on the "bug wash" though. I don't live in a freezing climate. Are you suggesting that my reservoir may have bug wash in it from the factory? Or are you suggesting that I buy some bug wash and add it to the reservoir prior to pumping it dry and refilling it with fresh water?

[hybridbear]

That is really strange!!! I've never seen anything like that. Perhaps you could try a different dealer because this seems like something that should be addressed under warranty.

 

Am I correct in assuming from your first post that you have never added washer fluid?

[Boat Racer]

That is really strange!!! I've never seen anything like that. Perhaps you could try a different dealer because this seems like something that should be addressed under warranty.

 

Am I correct in assuming from your first post that you have never added washer fluid?

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about the dealer. You are correct in assuming that I have never added washer fluid however, I did take it to this same dealer for my 10K mile service. They may have added something to the washer reservoir at that time as part of their topping off fluids portion of their service. One of their service guys may have made an error and added something other than washer fluid at that time but that's been several months ago and they are not likely to admit to that at this point. :-(

[hybridbear]

Interesting... I find it shocking that you don't use your windshield washer fluid more often. In winter a gallon doesn't last long. Even in summer we go through it quickly because there is a layer of dust on our car every morning that has to be washed off because of living near a busy street.

[GrySql]

I did take it to this same dealer for my 10K mile service. They may have added something to the washer reservoir at that time as part of their topping off fluids portion of their service. One of their service guys may have made an error and added something other than washer fluid at that time but that's been several months ago and they are not likely to admit to that at this point. :-(

I think this is most likely the case, a Dealer mistake.

I've used mine in warm weather and in snow conditions and there was nothing resembling your problem.

 

I'd drain it or get another Dealer to admit it under the Bumper to Bumper Warranty, but there is some strange stuff in that washer reservoir.

Edited June 24, 2014 by GrySql

[Boat Racer]

Interesting... I find it shocking that you don't use your windshield washer fluid more often. In winter a gallon doesn't last long. Even in summer we go through it quickly because there is a layer of dust on our car every morning that has to be washed off because of living near a busy street.

When, I used to live in MO, the winters were a lot more brutal than here in Northern CA and back then I went through washer fluid like it was going out of style. I keep my Fusion in the garage overnight so the windshield rarely gets dirty enough to use the washer. I can't fit my F-150 in the garage and I do use some washer fluid in it when I use it after it's been sitting for awhile.

[murphy]

Thank you for the suggestion. I do see the rubber tube running from the reservoir to the nozzles and the plastic coupling where I can separate that line. I will go buy some more tubing the same size and try to pump out the reservoir this week. I lost you on the "bug wash" though. I don't live in a freezing climate. Are you suggesting that my reservoir may have bug wash in it from the factory? Or are you suggesting that I buy some bug wash and add it to the reservoir prior to pumping it dry and refilling it with fresh water?

No I am not suggesting that you put bug wash in the car. It does not have bug wash from the factory. I'm not sure that the factory fills the reservoir, that may be a dealer prep item. I mentioned the bug wash because your pictures reminded me what it looks like when bug wash is sprayed on the windshield. It looks like foamy soap has been used.

 

After you get the system pumped out leave some water in the tank so you can pump it through the nozzles after you put the hose back together. Whatever that stuff is it is still in the line to the nozzles.

[hybridbear]

I think this is most likely the case, a Dealer mistake.

I agree. Is the dealer who told you that it isn't covered by warranty the same one who did the 10k mile service? If so then I'd tell them that this issue only appeared after the 10k mile service which means that they did something and thus that they need to fix it.

 

And, get Ashley involved if the dealer is being difficult.

[Boat Racer]

I agree. Is the dealer who told you that it isn't covered by warranty the same one who did the 10k mile service? If so then I'd tell them that this issue only appeared after the 10k mile service which means that they did something and thus that they need to fix it.

 

And, get Ashley involved if the dealer is being difficult.

Yes, this is the same dealer. Yesterday, when I visited them about the potential cause of this issue, I hadn't put it together yet that this problem started after they serviced the car. With your guys help, now I'm pretty sure that is the cause. I will try contacting their service manager today to see if they will correct it under warranty. If they still won't do that, I will contact Ashley to see if she can help persuade them to do the right thing.

[Easy Rider]

I think this is most likely the case, a Dealer mistake.

 

Whatever the cause, your dealer's service department certainly does NOT understand good customer service.......and I think you should NOT let them get away with that crap.

 

It is highly likely that they have a hygrometer or some other "turkey baster" type of tool laying around that would allow them to extract the old fluid and refill it in 10 minutes or less; probably a LOT less.

 

If you want to do this yourself, a turkey baster and piece of tubing should cost you less than $10.

When you get down near the bottom, running the washer a time or two should finish the job.

 

And yes, you should have some "anti-freeze" solution in there and not just plain water.

[hybridbear]

Yes, this is the same dealer. Yesterday, when I visited them about the potential cause of this issue, I hadn't put it together yet that this problem started after they serviced the car. With your guys help, now I'm pretty sure that is the cause. I will try contacting their service manager today to see if they will correct it under warranty. If they still won't do that, I will contact Ashley to see if she can help persuade them to do the right thing.

Or even if they can't bill Ford for the labor time they should fix it since they messed it up.

[Boat Racer]

I just sent an email to their Service Manager with the pics and requested his assistance in resolving this issue. If he turns me down, I will go over his head to the owner and if he turns me down, it will be the last time that I ever buy a car there or take my car there for service. I can't believe they won't fix this since it's such a low cost thing to do. It would be different if this stuff had gotten on the paint on the hood and roof and caused a permanent discoloration requiring an expensive new paint job. I will let you know what they tell me.

[Boat Racer]

I have good news to report. I contacted the Service Manager at my local dealer and explained the situation with the contaminated washer fluid. He had me bring the car in this afternoon and they drained the washer fluid tank and flushed out the lines with air and water and refilled with fresh washer fluid. He also didn't charge me anything and agreed that it was a likely error on their service tech's part during the 10K service. They couldn't figure out what the containment was so that part is still a mystery. I'm a happy camper again with my Fusion Hybrid. :yahoo:

 

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions and recommendations. :worship:

[hybridbear]

Yay! I'm glad to hear that your dealer demonstrated a commitment to customer service.

[SteveB_TX]

I am wondering what kind of chemical reaction would occur if the tech accidentally topped off the washer fluid with engine coolant? Hmmm. :detective:

[acdii]

Not really much but the window would be a mess to clean up. Antifreeze can be a royal PITA to get off glass and paint.

[Boat Racer]

What ever it was, the wiper blades did a good job of removing it from the main part of the windshield. It was just the overs spray that built up and crystallized. No more than I use the washer, I wouldn't think that the tech would have had to add more than a pint when he topped it off at the 10K service so it wouldn't have been very highly concentrated. I'm just glad that it didn't mess up the paint.