[hgoldwasser741852]

Just one of Kia's "better ideas". It's a very common problem throughout the Kia/Hyundai product line regardless of model. As a matter of fact if you look at the pump carefully it even stamped "Kia/Hyundai". My daughter's Optima has the same issue. With the Sorento you can just undo some of the undercarriage cover and move it out of the way. I haven't tackled the Optima yet but it looks as though you need to remove the front bumper cover.

 

[octavian_kia]

So you really been thru this!

Nice investigative work! I wonder what the real causes are for these issues. Just poor design or really caused by filling with regular water...

Both of these can be true.

I have driven Hyundais and Kias for about 15 years here in Canada and never experienced a leak. I do use a quality fluid and I use a lot of fluid as well. In the summer I use a RainX Bug and Tar fluid and when October hits I start switching over to the Costco -45c rated fluid and I'll actually run the wiper fluid front and back of the car to get some of the winter-rated stuff through all the lines etc. before it starts to freeze.

 

[Billi]

Just one Kia's "better ideas". It's a very common problem throughout the Kia/Hyundai product line regardless of model. As a matter of fact if you look at the pump carefully it even stamped "Kia/Hyundai". My daughter's Optima has the same issue. With the Sorento you can just undo some of the undercarriage cover and move it out of the way. I haven't tackled the Optima yet but it looks as though you need to remove the front bumper cover.

Good to know. I don't think I'm competent enough to remove front bumper and be able to put that back correctly!

Anyway, after I fix my Sorento and Santa Fe, for sure I'll be putting in 'quality' fluids in to avoid this issue in the future.

 

[Petso]

Good to know. I don't think I'm competent enough to remove front bumper and be able to put that back correctly!

you don't need to remove the bumper to be able ot get to the washer tank in the sorento. remove the underengine cover like you need to do for an oil change, or remove the passenger side inner fender which is with a bunch of body clips and 3 screws

 

[DNK23]

Anybody know the capacity of the tank?
Didn't see it in the online manual

 

[Petso]

Anybody know the capacity of the tank?
Didn't see it in the online manual

Not a sientific answer, but slightly more then a gallon.

when it gets to the low warning, i'm able ot put in a full gallon without it spilling outl

 

[DNK23]

Is there a low capacity warning light?
I didn;t see anything and I think it's empty as nothing comes out. I need to make some so a gallon will do?

 

[Petso]

i'm trying to remember if my 2012 LX had a low washer warning. i know my 2016 EX has it. it might be something that the LX doesn't have, or it might be country specific.

 

[DNK23]

It's a US Model

 

[DNK23]

But I wouldn't be surprised if the sensor is either gone or not hooked up as before I bought it it looked like this

 

[Petso]

But I wouldn't be surprised if the sensor is either gone or not hooked up as before I bought it it looked like this
View attachment 126706

It might be unavailable on the LX. Someone else would have to chime in that has one to confirm if it's there or not.

If you only have 1 cable/plug heading to the washer tank then all you have is the pump. if you have a second cable/plug heading to the washer tank then you shoudl have a fluid level sensor. that would be the only way to check. As i mentioned before, either remove the underengine cover or remove the inner fender so you can see the tank and confirm if it has the 2 plugs or only the 1.

 

[Billi]

Is there a low capacity warning light?
I didn;t see anything and I think it's empty as nothing comes out. I need to make some so a gallon will do?

2L coke bottle won't overfill it when empty. If nothing comes out, obviously it's empty or busted.

When my sensor came on, I could spray a little for a while.

I've diverted some of its fluid to spray onto my ATF cooler hoping to cool things down further. So on my long towing trips, I'd carry additional water in 2L coke bottles. This reservoir is pretty sizable. I've seen people say it's actually 4L total.

Anyway, after I fix my reservoir, I won't be filling it with water no more because water might have contributed to my leak issue... ATF cooler spraying wasn't THAT effective anyways. So I'll fill it with windshield wiper fluid after I fix the leak.

 

[DNK23]

Thanks Bill

 

[missingcurlybracket]

My LX has the low washer fluid light, it didn't run dry at the time but the tank can indeed contain more than a gallon.

Edit: I remember thinking "dang maybe I should've gotten a second jug" but I'm pretty sure it took less than half-a-gallon after that to get up the stem?

 

[Tripplec]

Its something like that as some areas need the capacity driving to keep the windows clear.

 

[DNK23]

Tried the washers again and Voila !
Must be like my wife's Z4 was
Persnickity, sometimes it just didn't feel like it.

 

[Tripplec]

Rubber spec not ideal likely as it has to endure a lot of temp change throughout the year. Some vibration but not likely much. Hard to say if only some leak. I wouldn't know unless its badly leaking.

 

[Kianorton]

You probably have a leak at the pump seal. Had mine replaced under warranty a few months back. In my case, it was quite severe and I could see a puddle on my garage floor.

Same story with me. Cheap plastic stuff design at pump area.

 

[Petso]

you need to remove either the under engine cover (belly pan, skid plate, whatever you want to call it) OR the wheel liner. either or will give you access to the washer tank.

 

[Billi]

For those who repaired this themselves, can the reservoir be removed for pump seal repair from below once belly pan is removed (or is removal of wheel liner required)? Also, want to verify that seal (assuming that is source of leak) can be removed from pump/reservoir and replaced (versus replacement of pump itself, etc). Appreciated everyone's helpful input on this, will try to tackle my leak when the weather warms up and dries out a bit

Yeah, I'm in Seattle area and my garage is full of junk... since we have wet weather, I don't really need wiper fluid that much anyways... So I'm also waiting for weather to warm and dry up before attempting this fix.

As Petso said, we only need to remove either the under belly or the wheel lining... I'm guess wheel lining should probably give us better access/view of it?

If I get it done before you, I'll post something here... if you get it done before me... hope you'll also post how you fixed it!