Draining your vehicle's window washer fluid reservoir can be necessary for various reasons, such as changing fluid types, preparing for freezing temperatures, or performing repairs. There are a couple of straightforward ways to accomplish this task based on common practices and the method mentioned in your reference.
Methods for Draining the Reservoir
Here are the common approaches to draining your vehicle's washer fluid reservoir:
Method 1: Disconnecting the Hose
One effective way to drain the reservoir involves locating and disconnecting a hose connected to it.
- Process: As your reference suggests, you can follow the hose connected to the reservoir, likely the one leading to the washer pump, and remove the rubber hose from the reservoir. The washer pump is typically situated near the bottom of the fluid reservoir. By disconnecting the hose where it connects to the reservoir's outlet port, gravity should allow the fluid to drain out from the tank.
- Outcome: That should drain out the water (or washer fluid) effectively.
Method 2: Siphoning
Another simple method is to siphon the fluid out directly from the reservoir's fill opening using tubing.
- Process: You can siphon it directly from the top opening of the reservoir. This involves using a length of tubing to create a siphoning effect, allowing gravity to pull the liquid down once the flow is started.
- What You Need:
- Thin clear tubing: Your reference suggests you can get some thin clear tubing @ home depot for a $1. Clear tubing helps you monitor the fluid flow.
- An empty container (like an empty milk jar on the floor as mentioned in the reference) placed lower than the reservoir to collect the draining fluid.
- Steps:
- Insert one end of the tubing into the reservoir, pushing it down towards the bottom to reach the fluid.
- Get the fluid flow started in the tube. This typically involves creating suction on the other end of the tube (use caution and avoid ingesting fluid) or using another siphoning technique.
- Once the flow begins, quickly place the other end of the tubing into your empty container positioned below the level of the reservoir.
- The fluid will continue to flow into the container until the reservoir is empty or the tubing is no longer submerged.
Both methods are effective for emptying the reservoir, allowing you to refill it with new fluid or leave it empty as needed. Choose the method that seems most accessible based on your vehicle's design.
