As many of you know, the rear washer of the Mark IV Golf & Wagon (and others) often develops a leak. Not only is the leak annoying, rendering the rear washer useless, but can lead to rust and damage to the washer motor, rust within the rear hatch and trunk, or damage to the electronics causing a multitude of other problems.
RainX orange tells me there's a problem! This pic is from the sound damping on the inside of the rear hatch trim. See below for removal.
This leak can usually be traced to three areas:
1) The brass tube that runs through the center of the rear wiper motor, from the lower washer fluid line to the washer spray jet, develops a crack, allowing fluid to enter the washer motor, the interior of the rear hatch, or the trunk. Indicators include weak spray or lack of washer fluid spray at the rear jet, or when the rear washer jet rotates with the wiper arm (it should be stationary, and pointed straight up).
2) A cracked, disconnected, or broken “upper” washer fluid line (under or near the driver side “C” pillar).
3) A cracked, disconnected, or broken “lower” washer fluid line (inside the rear hatch, under the plastic trim).
4) Other problems include cracks in the front washer reservoir, bad washer pumps, a leak at the front of the fluid lines, and clogged washer spray jets.
There are several good threads on TDIClub and other places regarding various fixes:
1) Replacing the rear motor with a new one (p/n 1J6955711C).
2) Removing the old motor and fixing with the official repair kit (p/n 8L0998711).
3) Removing the old motor and fixing with various DIY methods.
4) Fixing or replacing broken or leaking areas of upper or lower washer fluid line.
SEE post #12: I've linked the most useful threads which are connected to the problems and fixes above, plus some threads on the Avant mod.
After reading lots of threads from many different sites:
1) Don’t assume the leak is from the brass tube. Some series of VAG motors have other internal leaks, and some have an exterior leak where the base to the fluid tube exits the motor. Be sure to check the washer fluid lines. If you have a leak at the rear sunroof lines, these run right next to the rear washer fluid lines, but there’s no discoloration.
2) The repair kit, at apx $118 is nearly the cost of a new rear motor ($140), and uses the same brass tube which will eventually rust or fail.
3) Some owners (including TDIClub’s jmur, Herm, etc.) repaired the leak at the brass tube using DIY methods, other than the repair kit, such as stainless steel tubing, new brass tubing, rubber tubing, etc.
The white connector as shown in your image above is that the original connector for the washer hose or was that a connector you brought separately to fix your leaking washer hose? If you happen to know the name of that connector and where i could get one from that would be really appreciated as i have this exact problem at the moment and it's not been something that's been very easy for me to fix!You can buy a hose from a dealer like 1stvwparts.com, but be forewarned -- what I got was not at all like the hose that is on the car. I just got a coiled hose that looked different, sort of corrugated, and did not have the necessary fittings on either end. One goes to the fitting on the washer reservoir, one goes to the wiper motor.
If this helps anyone:
I had problems with my original wiper, and after trying the repair, ended up replacing it with the whole new motor seen here. But due to taking the connection on and off a few times, the connector on the hose cracked, and it leaked. Attempts to fix it didn't work. I ended up doing this -- using a 1/8" to 1/4" vacuum line fitting from Advance Auto and a piece of 1/4" vinyl hose.
The vinyl hose probably wouldn't work to run all the way into the body of the car, though. The inside diameter is too big, and would take a while to fill up before it actually squirts. But maybe seeing this will give you ideas for maybe repairing part of your leaky hose, rather than trying to replace the whole thing.
Thank your for your reply i really appreciate it. Not to be a pain but would it be possible for you to provide me with a link to the correct adaptor please? I'm new at this so I don't really understand sizes and diameters that well if am being honest with you.
If IDparts says it fits MK4 Golf they are probably right. You could Google the part number to confirm.
If this part is correct https://www.idparts.com/washer-fluid-pump-quick-connector-straight-gray-1j0955875p-p-14852.html
It’s pretty expensive to be fair on idparts for $31 and that’s not including any shipping fees and as I’m based in the UK it’s not worth it. On eBay the connectors are going for around £16 which I feel is still too pricey for what it is so I’m going to wait for the plastic reducer I brought. One end is 1/8” and the other end is 1/4” and on the other thread i was reading today this should work with a hose in between with some hose clips or zip ties. Should be here in a few days hopefully that works out or as a last resort buy the connector off eBay.The end with the hose barb connects to the hose
yeah i have a tendency to make a mountain out of a molehill lol. Thank you and to everyone else who has helped me i really appreciate it.
