How do I empty and/or remove windshield wiper fluid bottle from 2003 Toyota Echo?

[EmeraldIsle]

I currently have summer washer fluid in my 2003 Toyota Echo's windshield washer fluid tank. I need to replace this with winter washer fluid within the next few days before the temperature goes below freezing.

When I pop open the hood, I see that the bottle is located on the left hand side of the engine bay. The bottle has a black cap with a picture of a fountain (wiper spray).

I have no experience working on the mechanics of a car. However, I would like to know the easiest way of replacing my summer wiper fluid with winter wiper fluid. The tank is currently full with the summer washer fluid.

a) How do I go about emptying the bottle completely without removing it?

b) If I need to remove the bottle and then empty it completely, how do I do this and what tools do I need?

It would be great if someone could post detailed steps (with pictures, if possible). There are no instructions in the Owner's Manual nor can I find this information on the net.

Thanks a lot!

[vic benson]

I replaced my headlights the other day and I had to move the front bumper cover out of the way. I removed one fastening screw from the inside lip of the wheel well and then pull the front bumper cover forward. This gave me access to the headlight and allowed me to remove the headlight. With the headlight out of the way the windshield fluid tank is accessible, and can be removed easily.If this is too complicated, I suggest that you purchase a length of plastic tubing from Chinese Tire (Canadian Tire) and simply siphon it out.

I have the instructions from my local Toyota dealer if you want me to fax them to you??

Vic

[2005RS]

I thought the summer stuff was good to a bit below freezing. I always just pour the winter stuff on top of the summer. by the time we get -20, the summer stuff is gone. I second that on siphoning the stuff out if you need to get it out.

[twiki]

Siphoning it out would be your best bet. Remember that the outlet needs to be lower than the inlet (end of the) hose. So if you want to get every drop out of the reservoir, factor that in.

Hmmm.....what's it been like out there in NB? Your post was on Dec 4, so it must have dropped well below freezing by then in NB. It was -27C before then in Edmonton.
Then again, it is possible that it already froze, but didn't do any damage, since it's not a pressurized system (like the cooling system), and the plastic tank is a little flexible.

[EmeraldIsle]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Since I was unable to get an inexpensive hand pump to siphon the summer washer fluid out of the tank (lots of things are not easily available in New Brunswick as they are in the big cities), I got rid of it by using it all up on my windshield which became super clean over the course of a few days.

Someone suggested that I could also have used the following method to empty the reservoir :

1) Get a hose or a short length of transparent aquarium airline tubing from a pet store (about $2 for a 2.5 metre tube) that will reach the bottom of the tank and long enough to reach the container where you want the fluid to be transferred to. This container must be below the level of the washer tank. Clear tubing is best as you can see through it.

2) Clamp off one end of the tube tightly using vice-grip pliers or something similar (if you don't have one, now is the time to make friends with your neighbours)

3) Go to a tap and fill the open end of the tubing with water or fill this tube with the same liquid that is currently in the reservoir and ensure that the clamped end stays as low as possible.

4) Quickly insert the open end of the tubing into the washer tank that you want emptied and keep spillage to a minimum.

5) Unclamp the other end of the tubing and let the water inside the tubing do the siphoning into your container.

This method is supposed to let you drain the washer tank completely and safely without the risk of swallowing washer fluid. I will try this in the spring.

If the above sounds too complicated, read instructions on the link below on "How to Create a Siphon":

http://www.ehow.com/how_5656407_create-siphon.html

[finboy]

next time....

get an empty washer container, or plastic bag and some tape

there is a rubber hose under the base of the hood, and there is a fitting
that goes to the jets

pop it off, tape the rubber hose to the bag or container

go back into your car, hold the lever till it's empty

refill with the new stuff, squirt it a few times to get the winter washer fluid in the lines and jets

blah blah blah