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My window washer fluid froze


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Rated to -20oF. Failure at 20oF.

 

It didn't freeze solid. Rather, it looked like a slurpee . But the pump sucked most of the juice out of it, leaving inedible ice chunks.

 

I removed the reservoir, shook / beat the slush out of it, and refilled it with Prestone -34oF H2O-free window washer fluid.

 

The Legacy's washer fluid tank holds just over a gallon. I bet if you fill it the moment the front washer pickup tube starts sucking air, you'll need exactly a gallon.

 

*The rear washer pump's pickup tube is about a half-inch higher than the other one. Thus, when you're on your last half-inch of fluid, the rear window squirter stops working. Aha, so that's why that thing seems to have a mind of its own!

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Yep, a lot those fluids are "rated" for one temperature, but the small print admits that "lumps of ice" may form before the fluid freezes over.

 

The lowest pump on my car is the one for the headlight washers, next up is the front screen wash. IF I had a turbo, the Intercooler water spray would be the next step up. The bottle has the molding for the pump. Probably where your rear screen pump lives.

 

Does that mean station wagons with Turbo can't have IC water spray?

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EA 82 station wagons have a whole separate bottle and pump inside the rear fender for the back window. I am fairly certain the next gen cars do too, but not sure since I don't have one handy to look at right now.

 

Yep, a lot those fluids are "rated" for one temperature, but the small print admits that "lumps of ice" may form before the fluid freezes over.

 

The lowest pump on my car is the one for the headlight washers, next up is the front screen wash. IF I had a turbo, the Intercooler water spray would be the next step up. The bottle has the molding for the pump. Probably where your rear screen pump lives.

 

Does that mean station wagons with Turbo can't have IC water spray?

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EA 82 station wagons have a whole separate bottle and pump inside the rear fender for the back window. I am fairly certain the next gen cars do too, but not sure since I don't have one handy to look at right now.

Not so. Legacies have only one washer fluid resevoir and two pumps.

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Wow..Then I guess that hose in my Hatch goes ALL the way to the front? And by-passes the bottle by my Jack?

 

 

Learn something new every day.... :banghead::banghead:

 

I've seen stranger things:). What kind of Subaru do you have?

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I'd have to check again but I'm fairly certain my 94turbo wagon has a resevoir in the drivers side rear fender/taillight area.

 

Not on my 96. If your recolection is right, maybe they went to a single reservoir in 95 or 96. Sorry for the false generalisation then.

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Question answered : 90 - 94 Legacies have a rear washer fluid reservoir and pump. The single two pumps front reservoir must have been introduced in 95.

Note that this is irrelevant for the first poster who owns a 96.

Again, sorry for the false generalisation.

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