My washer fluid was almost empty today. I filled it up last week, it was low when I bought it 3 weeks ago. There is evidence of something leaking into and overflowing into the two slots on top of the engine cover. I did use the wiper washer a couple of times but not a half a gallon of fluid worth, It could be when I went through the car wash but I don't think it should leak into the engine bay on top of the motor. Any one else having or has had this problem.
Jim

 

Year, make, model,....................give us a hint !!
.

 

Oh sorry. 2017 F150 STX 2.7L ecoboost

 

2017, got to be under warranty. Take it to the dealer!

 

I will need to prep for the "That's normal" comeback. the dried up liquid left a crystal like residue in the two rectangle depressions in the engine cover. My suspicion is its windshield wiper fluid. The reservoir for the fluid was almost empty when I got it. I filled it up and even though I did use it twice it was back to the same level it was when I picked it up. I filled it again yesterday all the way to the very top and today it was an inch low. I didn't use it at all. I couldn't tell if it had dripped on the engine cover and dried up before I checked it. I've only had it a month.

 

Drip trails passenger side


Drip trails drivers side side


Residue from evaporation viewed from Driver side


Residue from evaporation viewed from passenger side

Here is what the cover looks like

 

Look for a bad check valve/tee connector in the washer fluid line, or a loose/disconnected line.

 

Cheat! Get a couple of white paper towels and drape where you think you are getting a leak every evening/night when you park and remove them every morning when you start out. If whatever is leaking does so overnight, you will have evidence of it. You might want to wash you windows a time or two before removing it if day one test does nothing for you.


The point is to have evidence when you go to the dealer of what is leaking. It is possible that this issue and your other engine concerns are related. I don't know but I sure would take extraordinary measures to get resolution. But then again, I am special

 

Thanks Slowtrucker, great idea. At the least it may be able to show where the drip comes from, although I suspect it drips where the two rubber seals meet.

 

What happened here?

 

If you think it's wiper fluid why not operate the wiper spray with the hood up? Watch the hoses and see if anything leaks when you push fluid through the lines

 

There weren't any drips on the paper towels when parked over night. Operating the washers does not leak into the engine bay. The bottle was empty after a month and I never used the washers. I added a fluorescent die for cooling systems and bought a UV flashlight. I'll see if I can pin down where the fluid is going. Took it to the dealer and they cant find a leak and have no explanation of what is on the engine cover. I just need to wait till the washer fluid level drops and look for the bright green trail.

 

I'm not sure how that dye will react on your windshield, in the rain, at night.

 

Or paint...

 

I don't plan on using them while the die is in the fluid. Thought about that before I added it. I'll drain and flush before I use it. It has dropped about 3/4 of an inch since I put it in. Cant see a fluid trail in the engine bay. The fluid has to be going somewhere.