Lesley248

My windshield fluid stopped spraying from my hood last weekend and thought the tube was bent or something. Checked all the connection yesterday, topped it off (only about half gallon) and noticed it started leaking from the bottom but only when I would pull the stalk to spray. Does mean I have a cracked reservoir? If I do, would I be able to do a quick DIY fix with flextape or JB weld plastic bond (been seeing this name frequently popping up)? Alternatively, would Lexus be able to fix it for free since I'm still within the 2 year purchase of CPO?

I also discovered a rat making a nest in my engine bay about 2 weeks ago too, if that had anything to do with it.

F3Woody

If it only leaks when actively pumping the fluid the leak probably isn't in the reservoir, but likely in the line somewhere between the reservoir and the windshield. May even be the actual spray nozzle that's leaking. You can investigate further by identifying the location/path of that line, then having someone else activate the sprayer while you put your eyes on the system.

Also, yeah, definitely need to address the rat issue.

G1H1

A rat chewed through the wiring of my steering module. $4500 repair. Obviously not covered by warranty.

mikemu30

insurance claim.

G1H1

Yep. Cost me the deductible. That’s all.

Lesley248

happy to say that this was an easy fix! I confirmed that it was the tube because there was a good 5 inches missing. Rats were eating it like a slim jim. The leak was coming up from the top of the fender, where the end of the tube had been chewed off.

For anyone in the future who's looking to fix this...I took off the bumper and popped out a few clips to pry back the wheel liner. Technically, you don't need to take off the bumper but it'll make things a lot easier. Once you do that, you'll see the tube running up the side of the frame of the car and you can pull/push the new tube in. It's a lot easier to feed the new tube from the top by the hood and it'll eventually appear out on the bottom. No clips or anything!

ATL350

Wow. Did you have to have the front bumper sensors recalibrated once you reassembled it?

scubapr

You need to address the rat issue ASAP or you'll be replacing another part soon. My wife had this happen to the rear fluid tube on her new RAV4.
For good or bad, most manufactures now use biodegradable materials usually derived from soy. So wires, tubes, etc are like a rat's buffet dinner.

Edit: This is from May 12, 2021 (don't know current status); Honda has a similar one.
Toyota Class Action Claiming Soy-Coated Wiring Attracts Vehicle-Damaging Rats Can Proceed

gcvt

Yep. Whoever thought coating wires in "food" would be a good idea should be shot in the face.

Lesley248

Nope. I turned on my car to test the spray while the bumper was off and got a mini scare because all of the lights turned on due to all the sensors being unplugged but all went away after I put everything back.

scubapr

Do you have the 360 camera feature? I think only vehicles equipped with the 360 camera system will need re-calibration due to the front bumper camera been disconnected.

Lesley248

Nope. I have the 2019 so only rear camera and parking sensors. I wouldn't be surprised about the need to recalibrate ones with the 360 cameras.