Loss of washer fluid

[23skip]

Hi Guys,

became aware last week that rear washer on my Avant was not working (although I could hear the pump running). Tried the front washers and these were OK, however after a few front washes the low level warning came on. Even though I had filled the washer bottle a week before I assumed this was the problem. On returning home and refilling the bottle it became apparent that the water was running out from under the front of the car as I filled the bottle and the rear washer still wouldn't work. Operating the rear washer just caused the water to run out faster under the car. I'm guessing that a pipe from the rear washer pump to the rear of the car has come detached or split. Does anyone have any experience of this and can offer any advice on where to look first and how best to gain access?

p.s am getting a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted next week (£1329 fitted), currently on Pirellis. Will report back when used for a bit. Audi dealer told me couldn't be fitted anywhere other than Audi dealer due to tyre pressure monitoring system. Independent tyre dealer tells me this is not true. Hoping he is right about this!

[catfood12]

Can't help with the washer fluid, but I had a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted by Micheldvere Tyres a couple of weeks ago. All good to date. Bollocks about the TPMS. The fitter just clips a protector around the rim in the area of the valve and keeps away from it with the tyre machine. Can't tell much so far, as car is in with the Stealers for warranty work.

[PorkaFly]

p.s am getting a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted next week (£1329 fitted), currently on Pirellis. Will report back when used for a bit. Audi dealer told me couldn't be fitted anywhere other than Audi dealer due to tyre pressure monitoring system. Independent tyre dealer tells me this is not true. Hoping he is right about this!

I put the Michelin Pilot Super Sports on a few weeks ago - I got them fitted from Costco for £1050. No problems with TPMS if done properly. I saw them used on a GT3 at Spa and was amazed at the way they performed in terms of grip, lack of deformation and wear. I then put them on mine and drove the bollocks off them for two days at Dijon in August and they still have 5-6mm all round. They have better wear and better contact patch than Pilot Sports and nearly grip of Cups - they are an epic tyre!!! But...they don't eradicate the V10 beasts' chronic understeer!

[luffenham1]

I had the same problem with my RS4. I went to use the back washer and all that happened is that it leaked under my car. The pipe had come away from the bottle due to the cold weather last year. On the RS6 is the wash bottle on the right hand side like the RS4?

The best way i was told to get to it was by taking off the wheel (this depends on which side the bottle is), then the wheel arch guard.
Then you can then see the bottom of the wash bottle and all the pipes going off it. Get a mate to start the back washer off and you will see the leak/break in the line. Then just re-attach.

[23skip]

Thanks for this, but RS6 washer bottle is on the left side and looks pretty inaccessible. However I hadn't considered access via the wheel arch guard so may be worth a try.

[fox]

On a C5 S6, NSF wheel off, wheelarch liner out, and you can get to the washer bottle just fine.
Not a big job.

HTH.

Al

[23skip]

Finally got round to checking the washer bottle. It is easily accessible by removing the passenger side wheel arch liner. The bottle is made of two moulded parts joined together with a plastic welded seam. All the pipes are intact but the bottle is leaking from the plastic seam below the rear washer outlet but above the front washer outlet. Hopefully extended warranty will cover this.

Regarding the change to Michelin Pilot Super Sports, much more secure feeling on the road then previous Pirellis (although comparing new with old of course). Steering lighter on the move but more direct and to my suprise ride is much improved. Not sure they are any quieter but the frequency of the sound has moved to a point which I find less intrusive (I have a hearing problem that makes me sensitive to certain sounds at the expense of others). Only drawback is that the rim protection strip is not as deep as on the Pirellis so even more care required!