Washer jets blocked

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:17 am

Washer jets seemed to die today, like the reservoir had run out of liquid, and it had which was weird as I knew it was getting low but the warning hadn't sounded. Anyway I topped everything back up and the jets worked fine for 1 squirt, but immediately died again. You can hear the pump running so that seems to be fine, which must mean there is a blockage either in the pump or the tubes. The light washers work fine; I noticed they have their own separate pump so that explains that.

Has anyone removed their washer pump/hosing before? Any tips? Pump looks easy to get to but wish I had known something was up before I filled the reservoir back up!! The hose seems pretty tough/PITA to remove as it's wrapped in tape the entire length along with some wires.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:20 am

I had a very similar problem a little while back. Most likely the lines are blocked with algae. A good clean out sorted mine.

stupot1 · Post by **stupot1** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:48 am

Pop the pipes off and blow through then take the filter out of the reservoir. Mine was covered in green gunk, bit like 1980's hair gel !
I took the reservoir out as well and cleaned, 1 or 2 bolts that's all.

parabolica · Post by **parabolica** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:19 pm

Sounds good; will go attack it once the rain is off!

Jembo · Post by **Jembo** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:26 pm

stupot1 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:48 am Pop the pipes off and blow through then take the filter out of the reservoir. Mine was covered in green gunk, bit like 1980's hair gel !
I took the reservoir out as well and cleaned, 1 or 2 bolts that's all.

The filter on the resovior is a common blockage point & known issue (on most cars)

Recommend never going for premixed screenwash... always run to empty & refill with a full fresh mix... I use the Halfords green stuff (most expensive stuff they do) as really good & neve4 had an issue once flushed, cleaned & refreshed

stupot1 · Post by **stupot1** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:23 pm

Jembo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:26 pm
stupot1 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:48 am Pop the pipes off and blow through then take the filter out of the reservoir. Mine was covered in green gunk, bit like 1980's hair gel !
I took the reservoir out as well and cleaned, 1 or 2 bolts that's all.
The filter on the resovior is a common blockage point & known issue (on most cars)

Recommend never going for premixed screenwash... always run to empty & refill with a full fresh mix... I use the Halfords green stuff (most expensive stuff they do) as really good & neve4 had an issue once flushed, cleaned & refreshed

Absolutely
Think the previous owner used washing up liquid!

skelters · Post by **skelters** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:02 pm

Jembo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:26 pm
stupot1 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:48 am Pop the pipes off and blow through then take the filter out of the reservoir. Mine was covered in green gunk, bit like 1980's hair gel !
I took the reservoir out as well and cleaned, 1 or 2 bolts that's all.
The filter on the resovior is a common blockage point & known issue (on most cars)

Recommend never going for premixed screenwash... always run to empty & refill with a full fresh mix... I use the Halfords green stuff (most expensive stuff they do) as really good & neve4 had an issue once flushed, cleaned & refreshed

I also add a bottle of Rain-X.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:20 pm

Yes, almost certainly algae in the fluid reservoir blocking the filters on the pump.

I had this problem with my E86 and my E46. Reservoir out of the car, pumps out, filters cleaned, reservoir flushed then all back together with fresh washer fluid.

I just used cheap fluid from Tesco, but never put anything different in as mixing fluid seems to be what causes the problem. 2 years on all good!

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