How to replace the windshield washer reservoir on a Subaru Forester. This DIY video will show you where the washer reservoir is located on the Forester, the location of the two EW08 Mitsuba pumps and how to remove and reinstall the complete reservoir. Note that the fluid level sensor is not a replaceable part.
If you've went to start your Forster and noticed that the low washer fluid light was illuminated, you probably added fluid to the reservoir. If after adding fluid the light is still illuminated, there's a very high chance the sensor in the reservoir has gone bad. In this video will be replacing the windshield washer fluid reservoir. Since the sensor isn't a replaceable item, we need to replace the complete Reservoir.
The part number for most 2014 through 2018 Foresters is: 86631SG020. This part number includes the windshield washer Reservoir and the fluid level sensor.
Please check out my video on how to remove the Subaru Forester front bumper to gain access to the windshield washer Reservoir. It's a lot easier than you would think!
Looking at this Reservoir, you can clearly see that the fluid level it's not low.
Note that the Subaru Forester uses Mitsuba a EW08 windshield fluid pumps.
During my inspection, I noticed 1 fluid line had been compromised and when the windshield fluid pumps would run, the line would waste a lot of fluid.
The washer Reservoir is held on buy two bolts, one nut and two plastic clips. All of these are easy to get too except for the last Bolt, which is hidden in the back. Gently prying the wheel liner a little bit will give you better access to the bolt. Both of the bolts and the nut are a 10 mm size. The Bulls have an indent for a Phillips head screwdriver.
The fluid filler neck is held on buy a plastic Phillips head clip that can be removed by turning the screw counterclockwise and pulling it out. Final clip is on the side of the reservoir. It's used to hold the wires close to the body of the reservoir.
To remove the bolts and the nut I used a 10 mm socket, a socket extension, and a power drill.
The fluid level sensor connector is on the bottom of the reservoir and has a push tab release. Depress the tab and push out to remove this connector.
Once that's completed, you can start to remove the pumps. Position the Reservoir so that you have a good angle to work with and apply pressure to pull out the pumps. They are held in by rubber grommets.
After I remove both of the pumps, I decided to replace the damaged section of the windshield washer hose. I went to the local auto parts store and purchased press stones washer hose vacuum tubing that I cut to the correct size. Behind the front fener, the hose was connected to another hose via an irrigation line. I simply pulled out the old hose and installed the new hose in its place.
Next, I got the new reservoir situated and used top plastic clip to hold it in place. And then reinstalled the pump rubber holders and both of the pumps. Then, I affixed the plastic clip that holds the wires close to the reservoir. I also made sure that the windshield hoses were affixed to their holders.
I then reinstalled the bolts and the nut and ensured that everything was lined up correctly and was tight. I then got a new bottle of windshield washer fluid and poured the fluid into the new Reservoir at a slow rate so I could ensure that there was no leaks.
