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Porsche 997: How to Drain Windshield Washer Fluid

Here's how to empty the fluid from your wiper's reservoir.

By William Henderson - March 24, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 997 (2005-2012).

As long as you only pour windshield washer fluid into the windshield washer fluid reservoir, you'll likely never need to drain it. But add something other than windshield washer fluid or decide that the summer fluid you added won't cut it during the winter, and you'll need to drain the reservoir. Draining your windshield washer fluid is relatively simple, even for a novice DIY'er. There are a couple of ways to do it. One involves a hand-pump and the other involves some tubing. Here are instructions for using both methods to drain your windshield washer fluid.

Materials Needed

  • Hand pump
  • 10mm plastic tubing
  • Towel
  • Container

Method 1: Using a Hand Pump

Step 1 – Disconnect washer fluid line

Disconnect washer fluid line at the T-junction, and then connect the washer line to the hand pump's vacuum line.

Figure 1. Location of washer fluid line and vacuum line.

Step 2 – Connect hand pump vacuum line into the output side

Connect the hand pump’s vacuum line to the output side of the washer fluid reservoir.

Figure 2. Vacuum line connected to output.

Step 3 – Pump out the washer fluid

Pump out the washer fluid until it has completely drained from the reservoir.

Method 2: Using Plastic Tubing

Step 1 – Insert one end of the plastic tubing into the windshield washer reservoir

Insert one end of the plastic tubing into the windshield washer reservoir. The end of this tube should hit the bottom of the reservoir.

Step 2 – Insert the other end of the plastic tubing into a container

Insert the other end of the plastic tubing into a container on the ground. This container should be lower than the reservoir itself.

Step 3 – Insert a second tube into the reservoir

Insert a second tube into the reservoir. This should be a shorter tube than the one you inserted in Step 1. Leave its other end dangling outside of the reservoir.

Step 4 – Cover the reservoir hole

Cover the reservoir hole. The inserted tubing will prevent you from covering the reservoir with its cap. Consider stuffing a towel inside the hole until it completely covers the hole.

Step 5 – Blow into the short tube

Blow into the short tube, making sure that the reservoir hole remains covered. The air pressure will force the windshield washer fluid to stream into the longer tube and empty into the container. Once the fluid begins to drain into the container, stop blowing. The fluid should continue to siphon out on its own. Do not move the longer tube until the fluid has completely drained.

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