A6 Avant Washer Leak

[A6al]

Hi All,

Had a quick search on the forum first but can't find anything on this. The low washer fluid level warning came on over xmas, hadn't filled it for a while so thought nothing of it and topped it right up to the brim. Next morning, jumped in the car and low washer fluid warning came on again, so checked and it did indeed need filling up, so obviously must be a leak somewhere. Took the front passenger wheel off though and removed the wheelarch liner, topped it right up again, and sat like a nutter in the cold waiting to see a leak which didn't materialise!!

I do have the dreaded avant rear wash leak problem (which I have yet to trace the exact location of the leak internally even after a number of attempts at removing various bits of trim all along the passenger side!!), but a quick check still showed no signs of any water inside the car, so still think this must be a new leak externally around the washer reservoir somewhere.

Has anyone had this problem before and discovered where the leak is? Any help or great shining beams of light from the sky would be much welcomed!

Thanks in advance.

[gupsterg]

I has several leaks on mine at purchase...

1st on bend where it pass under the elec.cables front passenger well...
2nd the join was open just below front pass.chair...
3rd fluid was leaking internally in rear washer motor...

Check the "how to" section of forum there is a guide on how I refurb'd my motor...
Tell tale sign if leaking into rear washer motor is water signs on inside of tail gate...

Rear washer system/water under the carpet has been a major issue with my car...

Wish you all the best on resolving...

[johnsimcox]

Have you used the washer (front and/or rear) since filling it and it becoming empty again? If you have not used it then it most likely there is a crack in the tank which perhaps only leaks when the car is moving and it is bouncing around. If you have used the front washer and not the rear then that points to a problem on the front circuit, likewise for the rear. Also does your car have headlamp washers (probably only there if you have Xenon headlights and don't be confused by the cut outs on the bumper, all facelift SEs had them whether they had washers underneath or not), if so that would add an additional source of both usage and also a potential leak

[c4a5er]

I had the same mysterious intermittent leak on my previous car, a Touareg. Kept getting the warning lght on, completely emptied a full washer bottle when it happened. No sign of leakage for a time then one (rare) day when it hadn't been raining and the driveway was dry I went to the car and found water stain under the front arch.

Pulled the liner and removed the washer bottle complete with pump, filled, pressure tested no cracks or leaks anywhere. Put it all back, ok for a week or 2 then same again. Removed liner again, this time I could see it was wet in the area of the pump, couldn't tell exactly where but pump body had tell tale sign of rust on it. I replaced the pump and it never happened again so figured the pump must of leaked only when stopped in a certain position.

[gupsterg]

Also does your car have headlamp washers (probably only there if you have Xenon headlights and don't be confused by the cut outs on the bumper, all facelift SEs had them whether they had washers underneath or not)

I had a SE on my drive today... no cutouts for headlight washers... my car SE with xenons... has washers...

[A6al]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all of the good advice/suggestions. I do have xenons and headlight washers, and hadn't even considered this as another possible leak point.

I think I need a good clear day to do some more fill up and tests, and get properly under the car and trace the various lines, check the pump, motor, bottle, headlight washers etc more thoroughly. If I find the culprit I'll drop an update on this thread and let you all know. If not I'll just have to live with filling it up every day and buy some shares in Holts Screenwash!!!!!

[Alan02]

Same suspicions on my 2009, topped it up, a week or so later lamp came on? Hadn`t used it `that` much to the point I thought the lamp warning was correct. But, I have noticed in the mornings that there is a tell-tale wet patch which is at the N/S/F wing, just behind the wheel. The water appears to be coming from the seam between the bottom of the wing and the Cill. I suspect I have a washer leak. Still under warranty if its a new part issue.