XF Headlamp Washers - Excessive Consumption

7324 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by jberks, May 7, 2018

FjpK

Discussion Starter · Oct 19, 2017

I have a XF 2.2D (MY2013). When the headlamp washers activate, everything seems normal. The next morning, when I start the engine, I get the "Low Windscreen Washer Fluid" warning and have to add approx. 4 litres of fluid.

I have removed the arch liner and there are no apparent leaks. Took the washer bottle out - no cracks/splits. Checked continuity on the sensor - works fine. I presume there is a leak somewhere between the two headlamps. Does anybody know how this is connected e.g. a "t piece". Can it be accessed without removing the front bumper?

The car had frontal damage caused by a previous owner, and was repaired by a JLR dealer.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

OzJagXFS

· #2 · Oct 19, 2017

Have you checked the connections of the headlight washer hoses to the backs of the headlights?
They plug in just below each headlight and are prone to falling off, as they are held on only by a small and weak plastic clip.
Or maybe the repair shop simply forgot to reconnect one or both of them.

rchiv

· #3 · Oct 19, 2017

The headlight washers are only activated if the headlights are on. How can you use 4lts of fluid unless the pump is not cutting out in which case you will have the screen washers working overtime.
My guess is a split bottle or bad pump seal.

Roger

OzJagXFS

· #4 · Oct 19, 2017

rchiv said:
The headlight washers are only activated if the headlights are on. How can you use 4lts of fluid unless the pump is not cutting out in which case you will have the screen washers working overtime.
My guess is a split bottle or bad pump seal.

Roger

Yep, I know, but if one or both of the washer hoses are off/loose/split then the washer fluid will leak out whether or not you use the washers, purely due to gravity. This happened to me on my old XFS, both hoses were hanging off and I spent weeks trying to diagnose the "washer bottle empty after two days" problem before I found the cause.
The OP reckons the headlight washers work as normal, so it doesn't sound like one or both hoses are right off. More likely one is loose or split or has a hole in it.
But of course it could be something completely different!

FjpK

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 27, 2017

Thanks for all the suggestions. Given that everything is in order with the resevoir/pumps, I guess the problem is at the washer end. Strange that both the washers are extending and retracting. Is it possible there is a slight leak, and it is "syphoning"?

Charlie16

· #6 · Nov 2, 2017

Did you ever find out why this was happening ?

FjpK

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 2, 2017

Yes. I removed the front bumper (excellent guide here - https://youtu.be/Wvn43EOEp_8) It was leaking from where the feed pipe from the reservoir splits to each headlamp:

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Black Water Automotive wheel system

Used epoxy resin to seal it.

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Charlie16

· #8 · Nov 3, 2017

Ok Thanks a lot.

Im still trying to figure out what is going on with mine - seems fine until I actually use the wash/wipe, only then do I get the warning. Was this happening with you ?
Im new to the XF (mine is a 2013 too), didn't even realise it had washers on the headlights ! Do these come on with the screen wash ?

rchiv

· #9 · Nov 3, 2017

The headlight washers only operate when the headlights are on and every 4th try of the screen wash. Well on the X type it does and I cannot see it being any different on the XF.

Roger

FjpK

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 3, 2017

If it is leaking from the junction piece, you should see washer fluid under the car, more or less in line with the growler badge. It will gather in the undertray and eventually leak out. In my case this was happening overnight.

As to how the headlamp washers operate, this is on page 41 of the owner's handbook:

HEADLAMP WASHERS
Headlamp power wash operates automatically
with the windscreen wash, and will only
operate if the headlamps are switched on and
there is sufficient washer fluid in the reservoir.
Headlamp wash operates with every fourth
operation of the screen washers, provided that
ten minutes have elapsed since the last
operation of the headlamp washers.
Note: The power wash sequence is reset when
the headlamps or the ignition are turned off.
Note: Headlamp power wash is inhibited when
the low washer fluid warning is on.

If you don't have the owner's handbook, you can download it from https://topix.jaguar.jlrext.com/topix/vehicle/index Click on Documents, Owner's Information, Owner's Handbook

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FastEddie

· #11 · Nov 3, 2017

I had the same problem with my XJ running empty after a windscreen and headlamp wash.
Does a 1 second burst at the start of the wash / wipe , does a second burst on its own at the end of the 3rd sweep.
Then water is steadily trickling from the bottom of the bumper until down to the washer pump level of the bottle.
Couldn't find a leak , so I fitted an inline check valve in the wheel arch feed pipe that requires 5 psi to open.
All good now and no water on the floor. The pumps normally have a ball and spring check valve in them , assumed this U/S.

garryt

· #12 · Nov 6, 2017

FastEddie said:
I had the same problem with my XJ running empty after a windscreen and headlamp wash. Does a 1 second burst at the start of the wash / wipe , does a second burst on its own at the end of the 3rd sweep. Then water is steadily trickling from the bottom of the bumper until down to the washer pump level of the bottle. Couldn't find a leak , so I fitted an inline check valve in the wheel arch feed pipe that requires 5 psi to open. All good now and no water on the floor. The pumps normally have a ball and spring check valve in them , assumed this U/S.

Hi can you point me in the direction of the check valves you used, I've got a similar problem with my XF which I think is down to the valves which form part of the spray head itself. JLR want a ridiculous amount to replace them

FastEddie

· #13 · Nov 6, 2017

Hi Garry,
Any check valve on eBay of the WWY19 variety will be ok , this is to suit a 4mm internal diameter.
It has an arrow on the side of it for direction of flow , the closer to the pump the better.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSA...997151&hash=item33aa5eb477:g:YY8AAOSw0HVWDPKo

Charlie16

· #14 · Nov 7, 2017

FjpK said:
If it is leaking from the junction piece, you should see washer fluid under the car, more or less in line with the growler badge. It will gather in the undertray and eventually leak out. In my case this was happening overnight.

As to how the headlamp washers operate, this is on page 41 of the owner's handbook:

HEADLAMP WASHERS
Headlamp power wash operates automatically
with the windscreen wash, and will only
operate if the headlamps are switched on and
there is sufficient washer fluid in the reservoir.
Headlamp wash operates with every fourth
operation of the screen washers, provided that
ten minutes have elapsed since the last
operation of the headlamp washers.
Note: The power wash sequence is reset when
the headlamps or the ignition are turned off.
Note: Headlamp power wash is inhibited when
the low washer fluid warning is on.

If you don't have the owner's handbook, you can download it from https://topix.jaguar.jlrext.com/topix/vehicle/index Click on Documents, Owner's Information, Owner's Handbook

Thanks very much for the information FjpK. The car is under warranty so going to try that route 1st.

garryt

· #15 · Nov 13, 2017

FastEddie said:
Hi Garry, Any check valve on eBay of the WWY19 variety will be ok , this is to suit a 4mm internal diameter. It has an arrow on the side of it for direction of flow , the closer to the pump the better. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-WINDSCREEN-WASHER-SCREENWASH-ONE-WAY-NON-RETURN-VALVE-PIPE-4MM-WWY19/221901665399?epid=1249997151&hash=item33aa5eb477:g:YY8AAOSw0HVWDPKo

Thanks a lot for this.

jberks

· #16 · Mar 25, 2018 (Edited)

Going to bump this one as I seem to have a similar issue. Washers running out in less than a week.
washed and dried the car this morning to give me the best chance of finding the problem. Tested the washers and used 300ml in 10 wipes so no reason to run out so fast. Wiped the car down and no matter how often I wipe with chamois, there is a constant stream of blue liquid coming from the drivers side headlamp washer jet enclosure. Of course the washers aren’t on so it does seem that gravity is all you need.
Guess im going to have to pull the bumper this afternoon.

jberks

· #17 · Mar 26, 2018

Had a quick look yesterday but got a bit of a bug and didn't fancy tackling such a big job so leaving it till next weekend.
I did pull the corner back on the driver's side wheel arch liner to see if I could do it without removing the wheels (possible but would be a challenge) Noticed a radiator immediately in front of the wheel that was clogged in mud so I intend to clean that at the same time. Anyone know what it is?

FjpK

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 6, 2018

Did you find out what the radiator is? Mine doesn't have one. If you use a jack to take the weight off the suspension, you can easily remove the liner.

jberks

· #19 · May 7, 2018

I didn't dig to deep on what the rad was, just cleaned it.
Removed the bumper and replaced the jet so all good now, Once I removed the old jet, I did find that there was quite a bit of muck in the indent in the bumper moulding where the door for the jet sits. Can't be sure but it may be that this muck was stopping the door sitting quite right (looked fine from the front) and that may have slightly held the jet fractionally forward and stopping it sealing. So worth checking before you strip it all down.
Anyway, new jet installed (£60 from the dealer so not the end of the world), no leaks and all working again.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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