850 washer bottle?

[454cid]

Yesterday, I tried pumping out the windshield washer fluid bottle. I'm trying to remove fluid that will freeze if the temp gets too low. I ran into a problem in that the hose won't pass through from the filler neck into the bottle itself. Looking inside, it looks like the plastic is collapsed.... it's hard to see, so I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking at, but a hose won't pass through.

Anyone had the bottle out of the car, and examined it up close? I was simply going to order another one, but it seems they aren't available new, even in the aftermarket.

Removal is though the wheel well correct?

[scot850]

Yes to the 2nd question. Can you post a picture to jog my memory? Apologies, can't recall if this is a wagon or sedan.

Neil.

[454cid]

Yes to the 2nd question. Can you post a picture to jog my memory? Apologies, can't recall if this is a wagon or sedan.

Neil.

This is a sedan. No wagons here yet.

Picture of what, to me, looks like collapsed plastic? I'll try.

[matthew1]

Yesterday, I tried pumping out the windshield washer fluid bottle. I'm trying to remove fluid that will freeze if the temp gets too low.

You could activate the windshield washers until it's dry.

[scot850]

Pull one of the pipes off the bottom of the tank and run it dry like Matthew suggests. In the 'old' days we used to add methylated spirits to to the washer bottle fluid to stop the water freezing!

Neil.

[erikv11]

The "no freeze" washer fluid has methanol in it - same approach.

[abscate]

I think the filler neck has a cheese grater filter on it to stop leaves from clogging the pump.

Pop off one of the lines from the nozzles carefully ( maybe even cut with a knife if you have slack) and it will pump out quickly. Then fill with Orange or blue stuff.

[454cid]

Thanks for the tips. I didn't get back to this yesterday, as I was trying my hand at plugging a tire.... still leaks, but not as fast, so I guess that's better?