or so it seemed.

My SDL has been going thru the resovoir every 4 days.

I checked and there are no leaks in any hoses.

When I wake up in the morning, there are puddles under one of my headlights.(I have wipers) yet I do not hear the pumps working other than when the button is depressed.

I tried a search and have gotten headache, so..........bear with me on this one.


Thoughts?

Thanks

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Hello Plantman
Review of what is possible.
Hose, fitting, check valve or washer pump valve bad.
I do not know if the 300SDL has an in line check valve, SAAB has three.
An inch by inch inspection is indicated now.
Cap the hoses at wiper, squirt and note leak point.
Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

There is (supposed to be) an inline valve behind and bellow the driver's headlight to prevent the washer fluid escaping from the reservoir. As the reservior is placed higher and the headlight wipers lower, natural gravity leaks the water out of the system. You have either a bad valve or none at all.

Thanks. I will check it out today.

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Don't laugh at this but try adding a little food coloring to your washer fluid it may help you locate the leak but it sounds to me like your tank is the culprit as the fluid leaks when the car is standing and the pump is not being used.

Just my 2 cents

Good idea about the food coloring.

think it is not the tank. I think that one of the pumps stay on sporadically as there has not been a leak for a couple of days now.

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Hello
A gummy check valve will do what you describe.

whunter,

Where is the check valve located?

Thanks

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Hello Plantman
Look for any over size fitting in the line; odds are, that will be it.
Even I would have to do an inch by inch follow the line visual search.
Have a great day.

Thank you.

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Just a thought have you refilled the tank since you last saw the leak it may now be at a level where there is no leak.

I do not belive it is a leak, I believe one of the pumps stays on at certain times. I removed the tank, filled it to the top and plug all the lines.

No leak in the tank.

Furthermore, it appears that the passenger side headlight wiper area appears to be the area where the water is coming from.

As I said earlier, it does not happen all the time.

????????????

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

hunter,

Could a gummy line be cleaned out with some bleach run thru the system.

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Never put bleach in, will destroy some washer components, like pump and plastics.
Warm water and dish soap; if you have the time, it only works some times, if spring is corroded into a lump, you are out of luck.

I think the best way to clear the line is to flush it with hot water and/or washer solution. The check valve is usually located as close to the nozzle end of the line as the manufacturer can conveniently get it. When flushing it is best to remove the line from the nozzle so the gunk doesn't flow further down the line and clog it. To the best of my knowledge bleach will not dissolve the gum and it also won't do much good for your paint if you spill it (which will be hard not to do). Trace the line starting at the headlight and you should find the check valve pretty quickly.

__________________
LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold