Does this truck use blinker fluid?

I have topped off my windshield wiper fluid reservoir three times in the last month (since I purchased it). About every 3-4 days when I check it the filler neck is completely empty (see pictures). I keep putting more fluid in and it disappears again. I have NOT used any fluid at all.

The only thing I can think of is that these new trucks must use blinker fluid since I DO use my blinkers!

 

Maybe be a leak? Maybe your spouse uses the washer fluid?

 

I have checked under the truck, which parks in the garage. I am the only driver.

 

Is it possible you are overfilling and the fluid is leaking out between the reservoir and the neck? I don't have a 2023 to look at, but just a thought. I overfilled my sister in laws Escape and that's what happened.

 

3-4 days, that is not a huge volume of fluid, it may not make it to the floor. If you can see the line coming off the pump, give it a glance, see if looks wet stained. It could easily collect somewhere and disappear as you drive...

Not saying that is happening, just another possibility.

 

If this is even possible, I would expect it to be on the garage floor. The truck hasn't moved in two days since the last time I topped it off.

 

IF you NEVER use it, AND it disappears.

It is leaking somewhere.

You can look around and see if you can find the leak. Or take it to someone else who will find the leak for you.

 

I have topped it off 3 times. Started with a full gallon of fluid and this is how much I have used.

 

How long has it taken to go through that amount of liquid?

You are looking at maybe 1QT.

Weeks? you may not see that on the ground if it is collecting somewhere...

Days, ok, maybe you should see that.

 

I bought the gallon of fluid probably a few weeks ago and topped it off. In the past two weeks I have added fluid two more times, so at most, maybe three weeks for that much to disappear.

 

My suggestion would be you start checking around the pump spot on the tank, and its outlet and follow the hose. there should be one single hose coming off it, that will lead to a t to split it to the washer jets. There may be, (usually are) other connections along the way, designed in as places to disconnect the system.

Follow the line, look for signs of wet on it. Pay close attention to the place where the tank and pump connect and the initial hose connection. That seems to be the most common place for this sort of leakage. Possibly the tank has a small crack or manufacturing defect where it could seep a drip or 2 every few mins, onto the place where it mounts.

With run down and drying, it may not ever hit the floor.

Not every leak is going to be spot on the floor noticeable.

 

It could be slowly leaking, but may not leave a stain on the garage floor because it is evaporating before it drips.

It also evaporates clear, so that will make it even more difficult to isolate a leak. You could use a florescent dye that would make the leak easier to see.

If you really want to get creative, you could pressurize the system, which may make the leak more obvious.

Matt

 

Here's one more shot where the neck and the tank meet. I really don't see any evidence of it leaking. It will take some work to see any further and it's too hot to be outside right now!

 

So I have no advice outside of tracing the line and inspecting the pump... but I will say, catchy title! Well done. Also, good luck, this sounds annoying!

 

Maybe the amount in the filler neck is simply evaporating?

 

Nope. While washer fluid is usually made of Methanol, which evaporates quickly, they are formulated to not evaporate as quickly as the OP is experiencing.

OP, unfortunately, you are only seeing a small fraction of the whole system in your pic. The leak could be anywhere from the filler neck to the sprayers. I just checked mine, and you are correct, tracing the entire washer fluid system is going to require some work. I'd be inclined to call my service manager to see if he will cover it under warranty.

 

Yep! I will have it checked out when I take it in for a couple warranty issues. I realize there could be leaks in the various connections, however it is not a pressurized system is it? Since I haven't used it, it doesn't make sense that the leak would be beyond the filler neck and the reservoir.

 

My guess is either your tank is leaking, or a connection to the tank.

I think most of the tank resides over the wheel well, which could explain why you have no visible leak stains on your garage floor. The leak may have plenty of surface area to disperse on and evaporates before it drips to the ground.

Matt

 

@Matt2015Tundra, That could explain the lack of drips on the ground. It could be that the wheel well liner/carpet is absorbing the drips and diffusing them??

Or the other possibility is that there is a thief out there syphoning washer fluid!

 

You mean "blinker fluid"!

 

UPDATE AFTER SERVICE APPT:

I was basically told my original issue is normal. See invoice below



The problem is that I can only fill the neck and it takes a day to "drain" out of the neck. At this rate it will take about a month to fill my tank!

 

Gotta be blinker fluid. Gotta be blinker fluid. GOTTA BE BLINKER FLUID. GOTTA BE BLINKER FLUID!!

 

^^^ That's what I use!!!

 

I am totally presenting a 30% scale version of this at autozone when I go in to get new wipers for the car this week...

 

So I filled my blinker fluid reservoir yesterday. It took a little more that a quart to get it up to the top of the filler neck (see pic) and it took the liquid as fast as i could pour it in. I drove the truck today but did not use the washer at all. I checked it after I got home and the filler neck was completely empty. I topped it off which didn't take very much and I'll check it later.

Is it possible the filler neck connects to the actual tank below the top of the tank leaving a space filled with air? If so, would it be possible that the fluid in the neck slowly pushes into the tank over time (water seeks its own level)? Just a thought.

 

New young Autozone employee was all huh, we dont have this, called his manager, who looked at me and grinned. I couldn't help but laugh.

 

To funny when I first saw this post,the original Dodge Viper had Blinker fluid!
As stupid as it is they had it,ell then again it's a Dodge!

 

I vote air bubble in the tank