frozen reservoir

What are the steps to removing windshield reservoir? I put fluid in and last night it froze solid. I tried a heat gun but think I may have to remove and bring inside. But the damn thing is hard to get out for some reason

 

Trying to drain it? I just leave mine dry in very cold weather but it sucks when it's frozen or empty and you are following cars in muddy slush.

 

If I remember correctly it’s just one or two bolts holding it down. Pretty easy to see if you are looking at it from the top. Can’t remember if it was a 7/16. Then pull straight up, since there is some kind of bushing that’s it’s kinda pressed in in the bottom.

 

I don’t recall exactly but I remember it being fairly straight forward. I had it out when I upgraded to hid headlights (the exact method may be in one of those write ups). Seems like there was a bolt or two (10mm I think) and then you could rock it back towards the back of the engine bay and unclip the sensor. After that pull it straight out in an upwards move and pull the hose.

 

Beat you to it! Almost similar post too lol

 

Head to the pharmacy and get a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Pour that in and wait. It will melt the frozen fluid eventually.

 

This Marine knows what it's like...Frozen reservoir

 

Chosin Reservoir? Wow. I spoke with an old marine who said they used prechewed tootsie rolls from their rations to repair broken gas lines and fuel tanks in the winter there - it freezes into a gas resistant solid mass. There's a great short on the internet about their story doing it, too. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gDIv-byz7cQ A good trick to remember if you are broken down in a cold place. Bar soap makes a good gas tank hole plug, too. Anyways, that marine has my respect!

 

Two bolts on top and then pull straight up. It takes a lot. There is a plug on the bottom.

Maybe 3 bolts. Would have to go check. Its really easy though.

 

Half hour of driving should thaw it out....

Mines been doing it - but it's been below zero at night - and by the time I get to work, the spray works... Just start adding in some cold weather rated washer fluid

 

Thanks for all your help. I did take bolts out. This let me lean the tank back to get at the electrical connections. But I could not disconnect the pump. I saw some videos where they went in through fender well. Oh well! Thanks I will pour in the alcohol md hope it helps. I am only afraid of the freezing fluid cracking the reservoir? Again thanks

 

i would mix the alcohol with some warm distilled water---should get that tank flowing in no time.

 

Just happen to me. Truck was used, bought in NC, I live in upstate NY. I suspect it was topped off with cheap fluid there. Removed tank on New Year's Day. 2 -10mm bolts, I couldn't remove electrical connection so I removed the pump/motor port into tank. Only bottom of tank was slushy. Emptied fluid, melted frozen soln in sink, reinstalled, filled with -20F rainX, then made sure it would spray ( so lines had good stuff).

Instead of rubbing alcohol, use methanol or prestone windshield wash additive.
Methanol is better than rubbing alcohol, google it.

 

Mine as well, by the time I got to work, it was thawed, rubbing alcohol and a more expensive fluid with lower temperature rating usually help...

 

Water defeats the purpose of adding alcohol (even hot water). You now have to purge your tank of the water or else it will freeze as well. Hot water will do nothing for the fluid in the lines whereas a high alcohol content will eventually melt the ice in the lines.

Methanol or methyl hydrate works too but most people are more likely to have isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in the house. If you don’t know the uses for methyl hydrate you probably don’t know where to buy it either even if every hardware store in town has it.

 

I'm telling ya! It is not only good for the gas tank but has other uses also.

 

AlphaTherm AT-38OD Windshield Washer Fluid Heater

https://www.amazon.com/AlphaTherm-AT-38OD-Windshield-Washer-Heater/dp/B0034GW1WW

 

Mine use to freeze often after the dealer put in their 50-50 mix so now I use the Rain-X 2 in one all season washer fluid and that hasn't froze on me yet....its suppose to be good up to -20

 

Mine is frozen all the time , mind you it,s minus 40 where I live .
Warm here this morning

Thu Morning

Mainly sunny


-34°C

Feels like: -36

POP: 10%
Wind: 3 km/h N
Wind gust: 9 km/h
Humidity: 70%
Hourly Forecast
hourly-weather-forecast

Thu Afternoon
Mainly sunny


-26°C

Feels like: -33

POP: 10%
Wind: 8 km/h N
Wind gust: 15 km/h
Humidity: 76%
Hourly Forecast
hourly-weather-forecast

Thu Evening
Clear


-31°C

Feels like: -40

POP: 10%
Wind: 8 km/h NE
Wind gust: 15 km/h
Humidity: 91%
Hourly Forecast
hourly-weather-forecast

Thu Overnight
Clear


-35°C

Feels like: -41

POP: 10%
Wind: 5 km/h NE
Wind gust: 9 km/h
Humidity: 91%
Hourly Forecast

 

Just had the same issue noticed it driving home on about a 40m drive. Once home I tried again and wouldn't you know it, wiper fluid was coming out. Some good old motor heat could be your solution...