BulkHead windscreen washer reservoirs leaking

[d2d101]

Hi,

There are a few types of windscreen washer reservoirs but there seems to be an issue with leaking reservoirs that are mounted to the bulkhead. The issue with the reservoir is the plastic mounting is not part of the reservoir but plastic welded to it. This is solidly mounted to the bracket on the bulkhead and it seems over a period of time the vibration can cause the plastic mounting to separate from the reservoir and leak. I have replaced the reservoir and put rubber between the plastic mounting and the bulkhead mount to reduce vibrations.
I was wondering is this a one off or has anyone else had an issue with the bulkhead mounted reservoir?

 

[Mint]

...has anyone else had an issue with the bulkhead mounted reservoir...

No, mines mounted on the bulkhead but never had a problem with it ........ yet [touching wood]

 

[DrWong]

Mine’s mounted on the bulkhead. I brim it and it leaks but then leaves an amount of water inside. So could be the mounting bracket. Cheers for flagging, will check when I get round to looking at it

 

[d2d101]

When I got a replacement tank, I masking taped close to the mounting bracket and epoxy glued the seams between the bracket and the tank. I also put rubber between the tank and the bulkhead to absorb vibration. Not sure if it will help and only time will tell if it works.

 

[t-tony]

If the original one has lasted over 20 years I wouldn’t be too bothered. They normally leak around those mounting lugs on most types of car. Did you fit a new washer bottle or a used one?

Tony.

 

[Fender2004]

I’m the same as Mint and not had a problem with it leaking.

 

[d2d101]

Hi Tony,
I was able to get a new tank but very hard to find bulkhead mounted tank. I know plastic tanks can leak but alot of tanks have the mount as part of the tank and not welded on after. But given the feedback on this forum its seems its not a common issue on the bulkhead mounted tanks. So it hopefully will be fine for another 20 + years.

David

 

[t-tony]

Hope so David. I have a similar issue to repair on my wife’s VW Eos. It started leaking last year near the o/s inner wing (they use a hard convoluted plastic pipe like many manufacturers do these days). Now it’s at the bottom so I suspect the bottle itself.

Tony.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Mine broke loose of the mounting tabs. It is made of medium density polyethylene. Just a common plastic used in many plastic bottles and containers. You often see MDPE on the bottom of the bottle.

I used a soldering iron and a piece of MDPE as a filler rod to weld the mounting back onto the water reservoir. My MDPE came from a Bleach bottle. You can do the same thing and repair the leaks. Run a fillet around the outside of the mounting bracket to strengthen it all up.

The key when welding MDPE with a soldering iron is to let the base material heat up before trying to do the welding. The white reservoir plastic will turn clear when it is ready to weld. It will also be very soft, so take it slowly and only heat up a small section at a time.

 

[DrWong]

Mine broke loose of the mounting tabs. It is made of medium density polyethylene. Just a common plastic used in many plastic bottles and containers. You often see MDPE on the bottom of the bottle.

I used a soldering iron and a piece of MDPE as a filler rod to weld the mounting back onto the water reservoir. My MDPE came from a Bleach bottle. You can do the same thing and repair the leaks. Run a fillet around the outside of the mounting bracket to strengthen it all up.

The key when welding MDPE with a soldering iron is to let the base material heat up before trying to do the welding. The white reservoir plastic will turn clear when it is ready to weld. It will also be very soft, so take it slowly and only heat up a small section at a time.

Thanks - will definitely be trying this first before trying to source a replacement bottle!

 

[JohnnyN]

Hi

Hi,

There are a few types of windscreen washer reservoirs but there seems to be an issue with leaking reservoirs that are mounted to the bulkhead. The issue with the reservoir is the plastic mounting is not part of the reservoir but plastic welded to it. This is solidly mounted to the bracket on the bulkhead and it seems over a period of time the vibration can cause the plastic mounting to separate from the reservoir and leak. I have replaced the reservoir and put rubber between the plastic mounting and the bulkhead mount to reduce vibrations.
I was wondering is this a one off or has anyone else had an issue with the bulkhead mounted reservoir?

View attachment 211931
Hi, I am new here. We have 2002 Z3 purchased in UK. It's in mint condition with 22,000 miles in 20+ years but recently discovered that its Windscreen Washer tank has failed at the bracket. Just wondering if anyone knows where I could source a replacement. Looked on line but can't see any which are the same shape. Thanks. Johnny

 

[t-tony]

Andy, @spurs fan in a coupe do you have one?

Tony.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Yep

 

[JohnnyN]

Yep

Thanks Andy,
Would you happen to know where I could buy one of these tanks? Many thanks, Johnny