Windshield Washer issue
 

I am having an issue with the driver side windshield washer jet not spraying water. I took the jet off and just a little water comes out of the hose. It seems there is a clog somewhere other than the jet. I took my car in to have an oil change done and since it still has an extended warranty I asked them to fix the windshield washer issue. They took the jet off and did the same thing I did. Then they came to me and said that I would need to sign a paper saying that I will pay for anything that the warranty will not cover. They said they will have to charge me $105 an hour till they find the problem. Then they will contact the warranty company once they know what the problem is to see if they will cover the repair. If not I have to pay for everything. I laughed and said I will take it some where else. Its been a while since I tried to go to a private shop instead of the dealer for work on my car. Has it really changed that much that I now have to agree to pay before even knowing what I am paying for? Aren't they supposed to figure out the problem first then tell you the price to fix it? Not just say we charge by the hour and you might get lucky or not. Its not like they have to pull apart the car to figure out the issue. They know the pump works and its a clog somewhere. Honestly my biggest issue with this (and there are a few) is that I will not spend over $200 to fix the windshield washer sprayer so I need a price to go by. Am I wrong?

Read the fine print in the warranty. It will state that diagnostics will not be covered unless the issue is a warranty item. In the case of your washer fluid the most likely culprit is something has plugged it which since it is not a factory fault then it will not be covered by warranty.
Find each end of the hose, unhook them and blow it out. If you can't blow through it grab some flexible wire and run it through.

Now, THAT would be a lot easier that hassling with the dealer.......;)

(I reckon the hose is either clogged or kinked)


humfrz

I was trying to follow the hose this morning very quickly and it does not seem to be easily accessed. I didnt do much research yet.

OK, I suggest you go with the "blocked" theory. Remove both ends of the hose and blow through one end. An air compressor with a small nozzle attached would do best.

humfrz

Does anyone have a clear diagram of how to remove the washer hose without too much hassle. I having a similar problem, the passengers side doesn't spray as good as the drivers side. I tried to put white vinegar in to unclog it, not tried to put a pin in the nozzle yet.

The dealer first said if its not the pump they will change me, but second said if its just a small clog issue then they wont.

I am having a feeling they going to bring me in say they wont charge me and then surprise me to say that they will charge me.

They are pretty buried in stuff so could be tricky. Don't use a pin it would be too big. Strip the paper/plastic off of a twist tie and use the wire from that. If clogged it is probably right at the nozzle so that should clear it. Of course whatever is clogging it can just get pushed back but at least you will know that is the issue.

Yep, as suggested, give that a go and get back to us......:thumbsup:


humfrz

First thing I always do is disconnect it from the windshield squirter. If it flows it is the plastic cheap squirter. Go from there.

Drain the washer bottle from gunk
 

Ok update

I spotted a junction that joins the tube together under the hood (passenger side). I separated the two tubes and gave it a real puff from the nozzle and even drained the washer tank by hanging the tube outside the car and let it drain all the way.

There seems to be be some restriction in the passenger side nozzle as when I blew it from the drivers side nozzle it was less harder to blow. Put it this way like blowing a golf ball through a hose pipe lol.

Maybe the nozzle on the passenger side is gone or maybe blocked, going to get a pin and see if I can get anywhere, other than that I have to hope I get it fixed under warranty.

(update) - tried a pin and it went in the nozzle but of cause its L shaped, so will need something the same size and flexible.

Though I learned today how to drain the bottle that holds all the water for the windscreen :thumbsup:

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Try as I suggested before.

OR ....... backflush that nozzle .......:D


humfrz

Get a teeny, tiny hose and shove it in there?

SAY WHAT ....!!






humfrz

Heroin is never the answer.

Monofilament fishing line would be my recommendation for clearing the nozzle.
Used to use mono for cleaning carburetor jets and passages.

The nozzle itself is usually a small captive bead with a hole through the middle you can move to aim it appropriately.
It can get turned too far and act like a ball valve in a water line.

If I had a weak squirter I'd consider main lining.

Maybe it was an insulin shot ??.......:iono:


humfrz

Give it time ...... give it time ...... you're still at relatively low mileage ..... :D


humfrz

Can anyone recommend good windscreen washer mix?

Or something to add to water that would stop gunk build up.

Cheers

How about a mixture of 50% vodka and 50% distilled water.....:D

Run a third line into the cabin ..... :cheers:

Seriously, I would suggest you suck the gunkie fluid out of your washer bottle, flush the lines and fill it up with whatever windshield washer fluid is sold locally ..... :thumbsup:


humfrz

I get windshield washer from the local auto parts store. Costs less than a $1 for a gallon. Nothing special and I've been using it for a bunch of cars for years. Have you figured out what was causing the blockage? Could it be dried buildup from the liquid you're using now?

Took my car to the dealer with a bit of haggling and they said they would fix it under the warranty. They ordered a new washer nozzle, haven't got the call yet to bring my car in so they prob trying to import the part from china lol

I used to use a bit of white vinegar with water, but if your not careful and you don't use the washer for a while the vinegar builds up into gunk. I think I start buying washer fluid from the store now as my warranty is ending this year and don't want to start having problems with the washer system. It doesn't look that hard to take all the clips off and get at the nozzle, but still a hassle I want to avoid.

humfrz - vodka.....lol, sure if I want my car to be a new fire red color or the next paul walker on TV

First off, there FRS2017 ....... vinegar and water .....?? Did you grandmother recommend that solution .. ?? :confused0068:

Yep, good plan on using store bought windshield washer solution....:thumbsup:

As far as using vodka and water ...... you're not supposed to smoke while running your windshield washers.......:rolleyes:

Do you know what we used back-in-the-day ..??

That's a trick question, ........ because we didn't have windshield washers on your average car back in the day .......:bellyroll:


humfrz

Just an FYI, in Florida the washer fluid sold at most locations is 32+ and has no alcohol in it. If you leave it sitting it will start to grow black stuff in it. You may have to ask for winter washer fluid at the parts store.
I had to use a compressor to back flush the system on one of my cars. Rainx makes a fluid with silicone and alcohol in it that also seems to fight growing things.

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humfrz

bought some tablets off ebay as they cheap and I can mix them in water to make 4L with each tablet.

I use white vinegar all around the house and use to clean my Toyota 86 Windows, does a great job and only $2 for 2L of it.

Well, I reckon those tablets would work OK ...... if the temperature never dropped below freezing.......;)

Do you know what those tablets are made of ...... ?? .......:eyebulge:

Yep, vinegar can be a very useful household product.

Back in my grandfathers day, the adult per capita use of vinegar in the US was about 50 gallons per year.


humfrz

I had a car with similar problem. At the bottom of your winshield washer fluid bottle there should be a small pump with an electrical connection. That piece could be faulty. I would suggest replacing it. Instead of blowing through the lines just replace them tho i doubt thats your problem.

You can go dealer specific part or local parts store should also stock the item.

Hold up. Only one side was blocked. Why are we going for the pump? :slap:

He must be a tech at a dealership ....... :D


humfrz

Hello EzyBreezy and welcome to posting to our forum ...... :clap:

Yep, ol @Ultramaroon and I are jest ah messen wich ya ...... ;)

However, I have found that it's always good to read the entire thread before offering advice ........:)


humfrz

My appologies, I missed that deduction. I skimmed throught the posts guilty as charged.


Pleasure to be here, I seriously didnt see anything that pointed to one side but lesson learned. Thanks for catching my slip up guys, Keep up the solid work.

Good to have you here.

Do you have a FR-S/BRZ/86 .....?? If not, are you planning on getting one .. ??

Yep, you will find that most of the time, an OP (original poster) doesn't give out all the relevant information in the first post. They will dribble it out throughout the thread. Sometimes we have to drag it out of them.

You'll catch on ......;)


humfrz

You'll catch me at it soon enough.

So, posting after a couple years of lurking? Can we read anything into that? Did you replace the honda with a BRZ?

I'n the buying process should be closing monday its a 2016 BRZ Limited not a fan of the new dash style for 2017 but its in dark gray, I still have the honda for the time being.

CONGRATULATIONS ..........!!


humfrz

Sweet! Congrats!

Keep the honda if you have enough room, IMHO.

does anyone know the proper way to take out the washer spray nozzle? does the entire cowl have to come off? or do I just grab it with needle nose pliers and yank them out? I'm not sure on the proper way to get the old spray nozzle out (clogged on driver side)

Pull the hose from the washer fluid reservoir and use some compressed air to blow the hose and nozzle out. A few short bursts shouldn't damage anything and is less likely to cause a leak than trying to poke a wire or similar through the nozzle or hose.