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DIY - Windshield Washer Fluid Tank Draining

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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 04:44 PM
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Default DIY - Windshield Washer Fluid Tank Draining

Recently a forum member added the wrong type of fluid to his tank and a number of suggestions were made as to how best to remove it all. I have been trying to figure out how to remove the summer fluid so that I could install winter fluid. I tried a variety of hose diameters and hand pumps that were suggested and there is at least one turn somewhere near the top that is not conducive to removing all of the fluid.

I had been using my Mityvac line (fairly small diameter) to try and extract it all and all I could get at was about 100ml out of about 6 liters. Then the idea hit me. I had taken enough windshield wiper pumps apart to fix them and realized that I should be able to connect the vacuum line into the output side and suck it all out through the pump outlet and not harm the pump.

At the end I dumped about 100ml of my winter fluid in to help flush out the rest.

So here it is in pictures.
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 05:01 PM
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Thanks for the write up and pictures.

Does anyone know if leaving the same fluid in the system for a long time is detrimental? I've never used my washer fluid since buying my car and I've debated about draining it and leaving it empty.

Anyone know for sure what is the best approach to preserve the system?
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 06:52 PM
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Afshin,

If you decide to remove your ww fluid I have one of the Mityvac's with all the different hose diameters if you want to borrow it.

On our DD cars I suck the oil out every other change instead of pulling the plug. Mityvacs are amazing.
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 08:31 PM
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Mark,

Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it depending on my findings.

I still need to figure out the best approach to this. I planning on bringing my car in for service in November before hibernation and I will ask the tech what he suggests.

I have a large mityvac too for oil changes, enough to hold about 8 quarts but I hate to mix it with washer fluid. If you ever need a large one let me know.
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Marine Blue
Thanks for the write up and pictures.

Does anyone know if leaving the same fluid in the system for a long time is detrimental? I've never used my washer fluid since buying my car and I've debated about draining it and leaving it empty.

Anyone know for sure what is the best approach to preserve the system?
oh for the love of god
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 11:10 PM
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I just use the wiper fluid that won't freeze year round.
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Quadcammer
oh for the love of god

To enlighten you, I had a corrosion issue with my 928 washer fluid system which was due to old fluid. Not sure how the new systems are set up but I really don't want to deal with that again.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 04:51 PM
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What sort of strange fluids are being put into the washer systems that causes this problem of needing to drain. Unless you put a non-washer fluid in the tank.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 05:22 PM
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Always use PORSCHE branded windshield washer fluid. It is the only real performance sanctioned fluid for use in the Black Forest. It will not void your Warranty.

really? I just hold my finger on the squirter until the summer fluid runs out.
Then replace the fluid with -40 stuff. Seems like a lot of work.

Friends wife did fill her windshield washer reservoir with oil. That was a very blonde moment.

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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Quadcammer
oh for the love of god
hard to believe aint it
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Marine Blue
I've never used my washer fluid since buying my car and I've debated about draining it and leaving it empty.
If you drain it, your car will be a little faster, too. Getting rid of a gallon of washer fluid is like picking up 1 HP.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Minok
What sort of strange fluids are being put into the washer systems that causes this problem of needing to drain. Unless you put a non-washer fluid in the tank.
In a separate thread someone put ammonia based window cleaner in the tank.
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