Weak washer jets.....
- Thread starter Ben Cole
- Start date
Just fit new jets.
I had an older Merc in for MOT last week (with that style of jet) which I failed for not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen ,and no amount of trying to clean the jets worked, so fitted new ones and it passed.
I had an older Merc in for MOT last week (with that style of jet) which I failed for not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen ,and no amount of trying to clean the jets worked, so fitted new ones and it passed.
Had same problem on wife's car.
I crammed a flexible hose pipe to the down the filler tube to the bottom of the tank to blast the gunk and blew backwards thru the pipe into the tank. There was so much sludge in the bottom. I ran the hose for 5-10 mins with the gunk overflowing out, couldn't believe how much there was
I crammed a flexible hose pipe to the down the filler tube to the bottom of the tank to blast the gunk and blew backwards thru the pipe into the tank. There was so much sludge in the bottom. I ran the hose for 5-10 mins with the gunk overflowing out, couldn't believe how much there was
Plus 1 for new jets.
I had some intermittent issues earlier in the year. Sometimes fine sometimes almost nothing. After lots of faffing I just replaced them. They weren't expensive, it was a punt as I was convinced the old ones had been cleared.
But I was wrong, the new ones have been great and it walked it's MOT. I knew if i didn't sort it, that would be the day they wouldn't work!
I had some intermittent issues earlier in the year. Sometimes fine sometimes almost nothing. After lots of faffing I just replaced them. They weren't expensive, it was a punt as I was convinced the old ones had been cleared.
But I was wrong, the new ones have been great and it walked it's MOT. I knew if i didn't sort it, that would be the day they wouldn't work!
mercedes jets he'd pictured, from their size (and absence elsewhere on line) had looked like they incorporated one way valves,
which are the liability with rubber washer inside - bmw had had separate valves and with fine wire could clean the nozzle reliably.
nozzles - the oem audi ones have adjustable direction £10/ea, but chinese versions apparently can be unadjustable - so maybe washing car behind.
(stupid audi rear washer had a 3" 4/5mm metal tube through wiper spindle supplying nozzle with a small supply hole at it's base I only found/unblocked after dissesembly.)
which are the liability with rubber washer inside - bmw had had separate valves and with fine wire could clean the nozzle reliably.
nozzles - the oem audi ones have adjustable direction £10/ea, but chinese versions apparently can be unadjustable - so maybe washing car behind.
(stupid audi rear washer had a 3" 4/5mm metal tube through wiper spindle supplying nozzle with a small supply hole at it's base I only found/unblocked after dissesembly.)
Soldato
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I've had issues in the past with really cheap washer fluid blocking jets. It seemed to break down into little clots/clumps which blocked the jets.
I've stuck to Halfords concentrate and it's been fine since.
I've stuck to Halfords concentrate and it's been fine since.
So to update the thread in case anyone one else stumbles upon it.....
It had improved enough by November that it was not mentioned on the MOT. I had been running it with pretty much pure winter strength screen wash.
I have continued to use proper screen wash and not diluted as much as suggested. I'd say it's possibly as good as it's ever been now.
Conclusion, the tank/filter/ jets had become partially gummed up by using the wrong type of product.
It had improved enough by November that it was not mentioned on the MOT. I had been running it with pretty much pure winter strength screen wash.
I have continued to use proper screen wash and not diluted as much as suggested. I'd say it's possibly as good as it's ever been now.
Conclusion, the tank/filter/ jets had become partially gummed up by using the wrong type of product.
Noticed mine getting a bit weaker, by proper I assume you mean branded?
Any brand in particular?
I've used a couple of brands, the latest being Prestone but that smells horrible (I usually like the smell of screen wash
)Really, I just think you need to use fluid that's specifically made for the purpose. I have been guilty of using a weak soap solution in the past, particularly in the summer months.
In thirty plus years of driving it's not caused a problem, until now. Just goes to show you never stop learning
The additives to give a nice colour/smell can in some cases be the issue.. and when they dry up can lead to residues that block..
I once used some strawberry smelling stuff that was the only one on the forecourt in my old zafira, over summer the stuff dried out and partially blocked the tubing joints, so one nozzle was very weak, I stripped things down and unblocked it and from them on, it's been the purest stuff with the least extra additives that I use, and never had that issue again..
I once used some strawberry smelling stuff that was the only one on the forecourt in my old zafira, over summer the stuff dried out and partially blocked the tubing joints, so one nozzle was very weak, I stripped things down and unblocked it and from them on, it's been the purest stuff with the least extra additives that I use, and never had that issue again..