Washer Fluid hose routing

[traveler]

I don't know if anyone has encountered this before or not, I searched but didn't come up with anything. On my last outing with the Mesa4Wheelers I had occasion to park LilEddie while I went on an expedition on foot to investigate an abandoned mine. I parked on a steep hill (Very Steep) at an angle. I noticed when I got out of the truck that there was fluid leaking from the rear of the vehicle, from the bumper. I investigated this (fearful I was leaking fuel, as thats the only "thin" liquid back there). I smelled it and it wasn't fuel, but it wasn't water. It smelled like windex... I was confused, had no idea why it would be leaking from the back of the truck but since it wasn't a vital fluid, I didn't worry about it and went on my hike. When I returned to the truck and went on my merry way the console display notified me that my washer fluid was low. Strange, it wasn't low before, and I hadn't used it... Apparently, the hill I parked on was steep enough that the washer fluid reservoir (which is in front on the 2000) was higher than the hose bringing fluid to the rear washer on the hatch and gravity did the rest. I did recently replace the hatch, but I honestly don't remember unhooking any hoses from the old hatch or re-hooking any to the new one.
Having told that long story, my question is: Does anyone know what route the hose takes from the reservoir to the rear hatch? It was leaking from up high, then down the side of the hatch to the rear bumper. I'd like to plug it or just delete it but know where it splits from the hose that takes fluid to the windshield.

 

[donalds]

1999 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual

SECTION 501-16: Wipers and Washers

1999 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual​

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

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Wipers and Washers —Rear Washer Hose​

Fluid for the rear washer is supplied by a two-way washer pump located in the windshield washer fluid reservoir in the engine compartment.

The rear washer hose contains a check valve, which is located in the hose that passes through the liftgate in the rear of the vehicle. This check valve holds the entire line full of washer fluid between washer operation. There is also a stand pipe located along the right hand D-pillar of the vehicle. This stand pipe prevents the unintentional release of washer fluid from the rear washer nozzle. If the hose is cut or disconnected after the line was initially primed with fluid, and the washer system is turned on, the stand pipe may fill with fluid. To resolve this, once the hose is repaired, temporarily disconnect the check valve to allow fluid in stand pipe to drain to lowest point in the hose; then reinstall the check valve.

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[donalds]

1999 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual

SECTION 501-16: Wipers and Washers

1999 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual​

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

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Washer Pump and Reservoir —Washer Hose Repair​

1. Locate and verify the leaking washer hose.

1. Cut the hose cleanly and remove the damaged portion of the washer hose.

1. Install a windshield washer hose adapter (17A612) between the cut ends of the hose.

1. NOTE: In difficult cases, clamping may be required.
   Install a segment of 6.4 mm (0.25 in) i.d. black rubber hose N809610-S or equivalent over th e ends of the washer hose, and clamp both ends of the rubber hose using spring clamps 389252-S101 or equivalent.

 

[traveler]

Thanks for the info. I'll try and trace it and find the best way to just eliminate it. The wiper doesn't work anyway, so I don't need a washer back there.

 

[donalds]

Thanks for the info. I'll try and trace it and find the best way to just eliminate it. The wiper doesn't work anyway, so I don't need a washer back there.

Unplug it from the pump and just put a cap

 

[traveler]

Sounds like a plan. One more thing to do on my limited days off.

 

[CDW6212R]

As shown the washer fluid hose runs into the top of the hatch. The pre-98's have the rear reservoir and it also runs to the top of the hatch on the left side. When I reused my 93 body onto my 99 chassis, I had to reroute the washer line from the right 1999 front to back line, over to the inlet hose at the left top of the 93 hatch. My last two 98's have had non functional rear wipers, the prior owners didn't take care of the wiper arm etc. My 98 Mountaineer it works fine on, and my 99 with the 93 hatch is good too. They are useful when they work, but people have found out it's hard to fix them when they malfunction. I too just unbolted the rear arms from my two defunct 98's, I'll fix both some day.