1st Gen R50 Cooper Windshield washer bottle leak?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by M1N1, Jul 15, 2016.

  1. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
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    I recently noticed that the level in the windshield washer bottle had dropped, even tho I haven't used the washers. Topped it off yesterday to the wording molded into the neck of the bottle, and when I checked today, the level was down by about 1/2 inch.

    Could this be due to evaporation ( been hotter than hell here for the last week ), or does the MINI have a problem with the bottle/connections leaking? Am I right in thinking that the lines to the sprayers can't be leaking because they would need the electric pump to be used to effect the level in the bottle, so any potential leak must be before the pump?
     
  2. Belhaven

    Belhaven Active Member

    Jun 2, 2009
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    Back a couple winters ago when my R53 sat in the subfreezing temps for a LONG time, the washer fluid reservoir developed a crack in the seam near the bottom of the tank - and so the fluid leaked out.

    I suppose yours could be farther up the side of the tank - if you saw cold weather this winter.
     
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    You could look for a crack...but doesn't sound like much is missing....
    Winter mix washerfluid usually is about 30% methanol....so it DOES tend to evaporate a bit...hot engine bay?
    Many trucks in about 2010 suddenly had boiling washer fluid and splitting bottles under the hood when freightliner reduced airflow to improve mpg's, and new emissions rules added EGR with higher flows that increased engine temps....
    So if you have a modded car....running hotter than NORMAL....might explain a bit of fluid boiling off...
    But it might be worth yanking the wheel well liner, and taking a peek....
     
  4. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
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    My R56CS has had just about everything leak at some point, and the washer reservoir was one of them. It had a tiny crack about half way up the bottle, so the washer fluid always leaked down to that point.

    I let it go for quite a while, since I didn't use it much, but last winter I finally replaced it with an OEM bottle from WorldPac.

    I doubt it is evaporation, since I live in Texas where it is 100-plus degrees half the summer, and I've never had any noticeable evaporation of washer fluid on any of my cars.

    CD
     
  5. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, guys. Looks like a replacement washer bottle is on the growing list of cr@p to do.
     
  6. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    Or just a little JB weld. The bottle is in the quarter panels so it's not like any one can see it.
     
  7. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    The bottle is made of polypropylene, epoxy (JB Weld) won't stick to it.
     
  8. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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  9. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

    Jun 19, 2015
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    I had a little panic at the autocross sunday, both sides of mine puke washer fluid all over when I get on the brakes really hard
     
  10. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    That's because if they are filled to the top the fluid moves and pops of the silly little cap.

    It just washer fluid, drain the tank, do your runs and fill it up before you leave.

    FYI Gorilla Duck tape will stick and cover any little hole and it will also hold the stupid lid closed.

    http://www.lowes.com/pd/GORILLA-TAPE-1-88-in-x-105-ft-Black-Duct-Tape/3055683
     
  12. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

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    mine were half full, but I was triggering abs with re71's, whole lot of pucker factor
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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