A car question please

[klondike]

They may not charge an arm and a leg but it is a trivial job unless it turns out to be the pump or problems with the pipes. Ruling out the simple job is the way forward before enriching the motor trade.

[Mups]

Sit in car. Activate eyes. Activate memory. Activate screen wash. Note where water comes from. Exit car. Remember where water came from. Identify washer jet position based on remembered information.

Jobs a good 'un? Finished.

Still can't find washer jets? Book in with Specsavers or alternately surrender driving licence.

I ought to clip your ear young man. 

Anyway,  I followed your instructions.

I located the two jet wash places,  went and got a small stall to stand on to reach over the bonnet, and armed with a pin and a paper clip (incase the pin didn't work),  I found 3 little holes in each squirter.

Poked my pin in all six holes and waggled it gently.  Feeling rather pleased with myself, I got back in the car and tried the water supply . . .   no fliipin' different.   

Topped up the water supply a bit more,  tried again - still only a piddly half squirt. 
Passenger side a bit worse than driving side.

I quietly swore,  then came indoors to have a coffee and tell you about joyous experiment. 


April 18, 2025, 02:50:48 PM

I get the impression that some of my fellow members are doing nothing but taking the piss!
My advice:
Take it to a garage.  I'm sure they won't charge you an arm and a leg.

Thank you JBR.   I might have to now the pin didn't work.

[klondike]

If the water flow is actually weak out of all the jets then maybe you won't be able to fix it and it could be a garage job. If it is just hitting low on the screen you should be able to move the aim of the jets.  You seem to be well endowed with jets. I've only seen two jets each side on the cars I've had so far as I recall.

[Alex]

Would a squirt of WD 40 in the jets help  ?

[Mups]

If the water flow is actually weak out of all the jets then maybe you won't be able to fix it and it could be a garage job. If it is just hitting low on the screen you should be able to move the aim of the jets.  You seem to be well endowed with jets. I've only seen two jets each side on the cars I've had so far as I recall.

There was definitely 3 holes each side.   Well I hope so anyway,  as I stuck my pin in three times on each.

Think I will have to try and put up with it for the time being,  as can't afford any expensive repairs at the mo.  



April 18, 2025, 03:30:27 PM

Would a squirt of WD 40 in the jets help  ?

I'd worry that would squirt oil up the windows, then it would all smear.

[klondike]

Most repairs are either WD40 or a hammer or gaffer tape but I don't think any of those will help with this one.

My guess would be the pipe is leaking somewhere or maybe kinked but I don't see how either could just happen. 

[dextrous63]

I think that gaffer tape would help.  Put strips of it across the windscreen and rip them off.  You'd be kinda wax stripping the dust off😬

[JBR]

April 18, 2025, 02:50:48 PMThank you JBR.  I might have to now the pin didn't work.

You're welcome.  If you want to drive your car in safety, it is clearly necessary to have it looked at by the experts.  They will diagnose the fault and present you with a quote if they need to do some work.  After that, it is your decision, but the chances are that it will not be an enormous job like replacing the gear-box!

[dextrous63]

Unless the pump for the screen wash is hidden behind the clutch plate within the housing.😬😬😬

[klondike]

If there is a fault in either the pump or the tubing I doubt it will be cheap to fix. Dealer rates can run to maybe £120+ an hour. Main dealers even more.

[dextrous63]

If there is a fault in either the pump or the tubing I doubt it will be cheap to fix. Dealer rates can run to maybe £120+ an hour. Main dealers even more.

Doncha luv an optimist.😬😬

[Mups]

If there is a fault in either the pump or the tubing I doubt it will be cheap to fix. Dealer rates can run to maybe £120+ an hour. Main dealers even more.

     Well it will have to wait then.

The old chap who used to look after all my cars for about 40 years, has retired now.   I don't trust anyone else now
Some garages are known to rip women off.

[dextrous63]

I think the best idea is to get a refurbished/new pump and build a new car around that.

[klondike]

First step is to diagnose what is actually wrong. I doubt it will be the pump as they usually either work or don't work.

In fact my bet would be that the jets aren't aimed right which is a trivial DIY job achieved by moving the pin to steer the jet.

If it's a leak then that could be easy depending where it is.

If it is muck in the pipe that could be easy too if you can get to where the pipe can be pulled off so the pump can flush it through but the reservoir would aoso probably need taking off and the filter cleaning or replacing.

[dextrous63]

I reckon it's gunk in the jets.  They probably need removing and pressurised air blasted through backwards.  Fiddly and not something that Mups could do herself.