Water is leaking out the headlamp washer jets when not in operation.

What should stop the free flow of water, the pump or the jets themselves?

 

Might just be a case of gravity at work. An air opening somewhere in the line above the jets, will leak when the tank sits higher than the jets. The windshield jets are above the water supply . If both sides are leaking, look at common feed lines, if its just one side, or even one jet follow the water. Also, is the cap on tight? That alone would not cause a leak because the pump at rest should provide a seal. But anyway that's how it seems to me though I can't claim direct experience with the issue. You can probably get some suitable hose and just replace wherever it's drawing air. If it's not that, then the pump is suspect, or even the seal around the pump.

Otherwise just tell people your car is sad because you don't spend enough time together.

 

I do not have headlamp washers on my Jag but I seem to remember that lamp washers have little flap valves inline which prevent this leakage.

I have an idea that they are in the 'T" pieces.

 

On these models the check valve is part of the washer jet itself. And these jets are discontinued.

Reason I know is I went through the whole draining washer fluid tank when I got my car. 3 of the 4 jets in my car were leaking and somehow the dealer kept billing the previous owner for "replacement hose" and would change a section or two of perfectly good 3/8 line, but never fix the leak. I disconnected my HL washers, plugged the line behind the bumper, and pulled the fuse for the HL washer pump, since I have no need for HL washers. If you can find new replacement jets I'd be interested to know.

Adding a check valve before the jets might be a workable solution, however. If you can find one that will stop the water flow unless pressurized by the pump.

-Michael

 

Thanks everyone for your insights. I think I'll take the bumper off to investigate further in the next weekend or so. I think the washer jets are still available as part of a tubing assembly, maybe its sensible to replace all 4 jets at the same time although I will check the T-pieces, maybe something is lodged inside and I might be able to fix it without buying any new stuff.