Washer Fluid Levels Drop Fast?

[iradi8]

Have noticed that the washer fluid levels drop very fast (4DR Badlands 2.7L). This just came back to my attention after 15K service last week and saw the fluid level topped off from the dealership. Then a day later on the way to work, I couldn't get spray to come out. Popped the hood and didn't "see" any level at all. I tried the spray again on my way home and it worked. When I got home I filled up the reservoir with maybe a third of a bottle. I have not seen any puddles underneath at all.

Anyone noticed this? Maybe evaporation? It is hot here in Georgia, but I've noticed it back in January/February.

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[Hossamus Prime]

I've noticed that too. But i use it waaaay more often than on my other vehicles just because it is a bug magnet.

 

[iradi8]

I've noticed that too. But i use it waaaay more often than on my other vehicles just because it is a bug magnet.

I did add the Aeroskin II Bug Deflector and it really helps!

 

[Moto26]

I’ve noticed this, too!

Several quirks about the washer fluid: For one, am I missing something, or is there no way to visually check to see how full the reservoir is? All you can see is the very top of the tank, and you can’t see down the filler neck.

Secondly, there have been several times the fluid would not come out of the sprayer, and I ended up dry-wiping my windshield with dirt and sand. The first time I thought it was out of fluid, but after opening the hood and poking around, I tried it again (with the wipers flipped up) and it worked. WTF. Another time I put some fluid in the tank, and it took less than 1/2 gallon. I’ve never seen a washer reservoir that didn’t hold a full gallon, so either this one is unusually small, or it wasn’t empty in the first place.

Like the OP, I’ve checked for puddles and leakage, and it seems fine. So the problem seems to be it just doesn’t want to spray sometimes. So that’s fun.

 

[Kygolfer]

I've noticed that too. But i use it waaaay more often than on my other vehicles just because it is a bug magnet.

Definitely a magnet. I literally clear my windshield after every drive.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

I use my wiper/washers all the time, I've YET to add fluid to the Bronco. Raise your hood and look on the passenger side of the vehicle and have someone active your washers. Is there fluid leaking out near the cowl? This happened to TrailRecon

 

[BlazinGTO]

Just some extra data.

6651 miles and my warning for low washer fluid came on yesterday for the second time since owning the Bronco. When I filled it the first time, it fit the whole gallon and I was not completely empty yet.

 

[iradi8]

I use my wiper/washers all the time, I've YET to add fluid to the Bronco. Raise your hood and look on the passenger side of the vehicle and have someone active your washers. Is there fluid leaking out near the cowl? This happened to TrailRecon

Will the wipers hit the hood when you have it open???

 

[drew707]

When I took delivery I drained the tank and it took all of a gallon bottle to reclaim and I’m sure I missed a little. Now there’s some caveats as well to how much you’re using at any given time too. If you have the front camera you’re going to be spraying that whenever you activate the washer fluid as well. I do have the front camera but I’ll be honest I am very sparing with my fluid usage since it doesn’t need to be slathered on to be effective enough for my tastes. My windshield stays treated with rain-X so cleanup is always very easy.

Bonus: here is a visual of what the tank looks like. Also, purely cosmetic but I would recommend wiping out the “bowl” where you pour fluid into when you’re done, it tends to crustify and stain after time.

 

[GToddC5]

Mine stopped spraying recently, with no warning of low fluid. There was another time also where it took a couple presses to pump fluid again. This time I need to check to see if it's empty or not. I was wondering the same thing though, looking for leaks.

 

[Moto26]

Mine stopped spraying recently, with no warning of low fluid. There was another time also where it took a couple presses to pump fluid again. This time I need to check to see if it's empty or not. I was wondering the same thing though, looking for leaks.

This.

I didn’t even realize there was a warning light for low fluid level, because we haven’t hit it. Whenever I’ve topped it off, it didn’t take nearly a gallon.

So what seems to be happening is that it’s losing its prime somehow, so when you hit the button nothing happens, and it takes a while for the fluid to make it to the spray nozzle. Which is exactly what you don’t want: Dry wipers scraping across all the grunge!

Great. Another thing to have the dealer look at.

 

[GToddC5]

This.

I didn’t even realize there was a warning light for low fluid level, because we haven’t hit it. Whenever I’ve topped it off, it didn’t take nearly a gallon.

So what seems to be happening is that it’s losing its prime somehow, so when you hit the button nothing happens, and it takes a while for the fluid to make it to the spray nozzle. Which is exactly what you don’t want: Dry wipers scraping across all the grunge!

Great. Another thing to have the dealer look at.

Yep, I'll have them check it out when I schedule to have my A/C fixed (I discovered it doesn't work at all, on a 97 degree day. Yay.)

 

[broncorik]

On mine I lost all my fluid from a leak on the hose that crosses from the passenger side to the driver side under the rear seats...the flexible line had a hole in it. I replaced the line (no fun pulling the driver side panel to get to the connection).

 

[AKBronc49]

I've never seen the low fluid light, but given winter time I typically top off once a week or so depending on the weather. I've probably ran 6-7 gallons through it at 4800 miles. Summer time it's hardly used. I've been washing the windshield in the garage when I get home at night with glass cleaner because of all the bugs.

 

[MJ21Hog]

Poor suction/needs to be primed often.... poor design is what I'm thinking.

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