My windshield washers quit working the other day. Since there was no fluid in the reservoir, that seemed like the problem. But, after I filled the reservoir, it still didn’t work. And when I checked the reservoir again and it was empty, I concluded that something else must be wrong.
Since my car had suffered some front end damage a couple of weeks earlier, I assumed that the washer reservoir had suffered damage as well. So, in an effort to prepare a case for the insurance company, I filled the reservoir once again and looked for leaks.
Well, there were no obvious leaks with the reservoir, so I decided to try the washers again. Now, while the washers still didn’t work, at least I could see where they were leaking. One pull of the lever and fluid came running out from under the hood by the windshield.
The hose connecting the two washers was leaking. But why?
Since the hose ran underneath an insulation baffle attached to the hood, I decided to pop it loose for a look. When I did, I discovered a mouse nest! And, upon further examination, I discovered that the fluid line between the two washers had been chewed.
Well, 10 minutes and a quick trip to the auto parts store, and I was good to go. Tomorrow, I will buy some Decon for the garage.