How to fill windshield washer reservoir on '99 Eclipse GSX

[slipkid]

This must be a really really stupid question but I can't figure it out, and haven't been able to find other threads that answer it either.

With all the snow etc around here lately I figured I should check/fill my windshield washer reservoir. I don't remember if I've ever even done it before. All it says in the owner's manual is that it is in the "luggage compartment" (or something like that).

After much searching I was able to find the tank in the hatchback under the spare tire. However I can find no cap or top or anything remotely like that to add fluid to it. It only has two small hoses (I believe one for front and one for back windows) and one big hose thing that runs up under the rear plastic stuff. Definitely from what I can see I don't think I am supposed to remove any of these hoses and try to add anything there.

I've removed the parts of the plastic on the sides of the trunk and anywhere else that it looks like it is supposed to be removed, but I can't find anything that looks like something to be "filled" or where that big black hose goes (in case that is what I am supposed to add fluid to where it comes up in some unknown place).

As it turns out the reservoir looks pretty full, but I'd still like to know how to add fluid for another time. Can anyone enlighten me? THANKS.

I'll try to include a photo attachment to this post as to what I'm looking at.

 

[clarkandrew45]

This must be a really really stupid question but I can't figure it out, and haven't been able to find other threads that answer it either.

With all the snow etc around here lately I figured I should check/fill my windshield washer reservoir. I don't remember if I've ever even done it before. All it says in the owner's manual is that it is in the "luggage compartment" (or something like that).

After much searching I was able to find the tank in the hatchback under the spare tire. However I can find no cap or top or anything remotely like that to add fluid to it. It only has two small hoses (I believe one for front and one for back windows) and one big hose thing that runs up under the rear plastic stuff. Definitely from what I can see I don't think I am supposed to remove any of these hoses and try to add anything there.

I've removed the parts of the plastic on the sides of the trunk and anywhere else that it looks like it is supposed to be removed, but I can't find anything that looks like something to be "filled" or where that big black hose goes (in case that is what I am supposed to add fluid to where it comes up in some unknown place).

As it turns out the reservoir looks pretty full, but I'd still like to know how to add fluid for another time. Can anyone enlighten me? THANKS.

I'll try to include a photo attachment to this post as to what I'm looking at.

Hi there, any update? Have you already figured out this thing? I am also trying to find answer regarding this, any update?

 

[knochgoon24]

Hi there, any update? Have you already figured out this thing? I am also trying to find answer regarding this, any update?

See photo in post 19.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/152118427-post19.html

 

[snowborder714]

Check post #19 for a picture of where the fill cap is.


Edit: Darn you Wes!!! We even posted at the same time. I swear the forum puts up the posts in alphabetical order in cases like these

Oh well, at least I beat someone else to it

 

[RoryBarron]

Look at post #19

 

[97gst_spyder]

Trifecta!

 

[slipkid]

Pretty funny. Glad to see I'm not the only one mystified by this

A related question - is there an ez way to drain that reservoir and refill it? I've been having problems here in occasional recent temperature dips below 25 degrees F, the fluid washer jets freeze up. After a recent snowstorm I had to stop the car every couple miles and wipe off the windshield by hand with snow lying around to get the salt off the windshield to even be able to drive.

I wonder if a recent garage service thing where they changed my oil & "topped of all fluids" they used some real cheap washer fluid, or H2O diluted stuff, so now it freezes too easily.

 

[LiquidX]

You could pour in a bottle of HEET, it's straight methanol and will lower the freezing point of the washer fluid. Have you verified that the tank itself is the issue and not somewhere else in the system?

Besides that, you'll need to either pull out a pump on the back side or just unbolt the tank and drain it that way.

 

[Chuck981]

In the center console lid.

Agreed that is so a hidden compartment .

 

[slipkid]

You could pour in a bottle of HEET, it's straight methanol and will lower the freezing point of the washer fluid. Have you verified that the tank itself is the issue and not somewhere else in the system?

Besides that, you'll need to either pull out a pump on the back side or just unbolt the tank and drain it that way.

Thanks, I'll try that HEET tip!

I'm pretty sure the problem is with the fluid, that the freezing point is too high. I only have the problem when it gets below freezing or so, and then none of the jets (front or back) work. Over 30 degrees its fine but around 25 or below, nothing works. If it is working today (it is really cold around here today & I bet it won't work) I'll keep shooting the stuff out as I'm driving around, will try to at least empty some of it that way, and then add some of this HEET stuff....

 

[williillii]

Yeah, I didnt find that tank for about 3 years. I thought it was supposed to be in the engine bay. . I even went to the junkyard to try to pull a new washer tank off a GST...couldnt find that one either needless to say

 

[THEevo8urV8]

you could have just hung out the window and poured it on your windshield while driving when needed too.... thats what i would do if i couldnt find my reservior!

 

[Ryan97gsx]

RELATED QUESTION- Does the GSX have a front washer pump or do they both run off the same pump in the trunk? MY front sprayers are'nt working

 

[my dreamt dsm]

If you don't hear the pump in the back it's not working. 2 your hose came off from the back like mine do time to time. or 3. your nozzles are clogged. I just use a sewing pin and poke the holes and move it around to condition it where I want it to spray.