After taking the front bumper off for the first time at the weekend I found this random stray pipe....

 

 

Now, on the basis that it is by the washer reservoir I am putting this down as the reason my rear washer is not functioning and why the system has low pressure. However, it wasn't obvious where it should re-attached. (I had read the mounting point was just in front of the wheel arch, yet there was no obvious attachment point.) Can anyone advise?

I don't think the big pipe is that. The pipes to the sprays are the thin ones you can see between the tank and wheel arch.

 

Unless its popped off somewhere along the way and the previous owner just fitted that to dump it to the road instead of into the car (which is what I did on our old Polo as it wasn't worth the effort to fix the piping inside).

If you mean the big black pipe infront of the washer bottle, that doesn't look like anything that's part of the washer system.

 

There is one pump at the bottom, and you can see the pipe attached at the rear of the bottle.

 

Now you have the bumper off, try the rear wiper and see if you can see where it's leaking.

 

This guide should show you what it should look like.

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/147230-mk1-fabia-5-litre-washer-bottle-conversion/

 

 

Is that big pipe part a vent for the PCV from a previous owner? Looks about the right diameter.

Edited 17 September, 201510 yr by softscoop

Dumping oil from the crankcase right in front of a tyre? That would require a very special level of intelligence

 

That was initially my first thought, too, but I thought it too dumb to suggest.

There was no evidence of oil build-up/dripping around there. This seems to be something of a conundrum!!

 

Now the PCV.... Should it be venting? Where would it normally vent to?

Edited 17 September, 201510 yr by Colinjb

Can you trace where the other end of the pipe goes, or does it disappear into the bulkhead?

I think that the large black hose is a drain fron the battery tray.

 

SN

^ He's right.

I shall check further (Where it disappears to, etc) when I change the Inter-cooler soon.

 

However, if it's just a drain for the battery tray.... There is no issue. My rear washer failure/lack of system pressure will be from another source.

Edited 17 September, 201510 yr by Colinjb

Usually they leak at several joints between the front & rear, there is one on the rear passenger side wheel arch side inside area. Or it is leaking in the hatch itself.

Yep mine went in the motor. 

 

Caused it to rust and seize, so the centre spline snapped in two.

A fun job repairing it

 

After taking the front bumper off for the first time at the weekend I found this random stray pipe....

 

 

Now, on the basis that it is by the washer reservoir I am putting this down as the reason my rear washer is not functioning and why the system has low pressure. However, it wasn't obvious where it should re-attached. (I had read the mounting point was just in front of the wheel arch, yet there was no obvious attachment point.) Can anyone advise?

 

Big pipe is (I think) the drain from the bottom of the battery tray and nothing to do with the washers.

When mine failed the pipe had disconnected on the bulkhead at the rear of the engine bay.

under the ecu in the engine bay are the connector 

As above, its a known fault with the Mk1, the rear hose connections can fail at a few points and often do, it can be a pain to trace them.

AND, as mentioned one of the reasons for pipe joint failure and pipes detaching at joins is excess fluid density = water is too dense, Skoda recommend at LEAST 50 wash mix.

Are you certain that it's density that's relevant here? Not freezing temperature?

You could buy in some of that fluid that is very heavy and test that theory, I'm forgotten what it is called but it comes in small stackable containers and probably weighs about twice what water does. 

 

Or as Wino said, try sticking with the correct mix especially in winter.

Edited 22 September, 201510 yr by rum4mo