Weak washer pump?

[Jamestnewson]

After having the car for a few weeks now I noticed the window washers were a bit weak, but today they don't have the power to even get the water to reach the windscreen! They also seem to take a while before the water comes through.

Seems the headlight washers are popping up but I've not seen any water come out of these either. I've also not seen any water leak to the bottom of the car

Has anyone else had this issue?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[slick]

Might be worth taking both pumps out of the washer bottle and cleaning the filters

 

[johnnyb]

Yep, definitely check the filters as slick mentions. I've had it happen to another car and the filters were blocked with the foulest black/brown gunge that you can imagine. A quick rinse under the tap and they were perfect.

 

[Jamestnewson]

Thanks. Will have a look today and see what happens.

 

[Bad_Pritt]

lol, the reservoir isn't empty, is it?

 

[Liam-O]

Could be that the hoses are split, therefore spraying the water out somewhere else...

 

[jimmybell]

Just went through this with a faulty headlamp washer jet - it's quite a simple system, just gotta go through it all.

Pop the bonnet, check there's plenty in the reservoir, follow the pipe towards the windscreen that feeds the window jets, and follow the one at the front of the car that runs down to the bumper, splits for left/right washer jets - check for leaks.

the fact the headlamp washers pop up means they have pressure - so could be a blocked filter in the pump (the small black cylinders with power running into them either side of the reservoir). You can disconnect and pop them out to clean the filters.

 

[Toucan]

Went through this last week myself - filters. Dead easy to fix. The pump is just a pressure fit, pulls right off. The filter is a white plastic cone under a grey rubber o ring, if it doesn't come away with the pump you can just lift it off the tank.

Only difficulty is that your washer fluid will go everywhere unless the reservoir is empty! I got someone to do an impression of a little Dutch boy and put their finger over the hole (oo-err) while I went and cleaned the filter.

 

[Jamestnewson]

Had good look at it yesterday and the filters in the reservoir were well and truly gunked up with some very weird looking slime.

Every works fine now except the right hand headlight washer which pops up but dispenses no water. I guess it must have a blockage in it. Anyone know how to get these out or clear them?

 

[jimmybell]

It can take a while for the water to go through, when i emptied the pipes and refilled i think it was 5-6 sprays (lights on, spray, ignition off, ignition on.. spray.. repeat) for the offside one to spray, then another 3 or so before the nearside did.

technically you can remove the nozzle head from the washer unit - but i wouldnt advise it (i broke mine further like this..)

Ideally you want to confirm water is reaching that side (the fact it pops up indicates it has pressure) - if you're on an M car, removing the bumper is the only way really, if non-M i understand you maybe able to disconnect the pipe via the large wheel arch flap.

 

[Jamestnewson]

Water is reaching the unit at the headlight as it is pouring out of the pipe when disconnected through the wheel arch panel.

Looks like I may need a new unit now though as water is now constantly pouring from this even when everything is off etc, until the reservoir is empty.
Seems the bumper needs removing anyway to replace the unit as the access panel is a bit small for this.

If I end up removing the bumper I may try and do the misted up fog lights at the same time.

 

[jimmybell]

Erp - this is exactly what i had to do last week. I took the bumper off to do it.

Got my replacement part from Sopers of Lincoln.

 

[Silverfox]

If its blocked try a pin and then blow out with an air line or tyre compressor

 

[jimmybell]

Oh yes - you can manually pump the washer a few times to see if it helps? lift the nozzle end (use your nails or carefully with a sharp knife) by pulling up the washer cover, then gentle pull up and let it release a few times..

at this point i was tempted to remove the nozzle (its obvious how to when you pull it out) but thats what causexd mine to go from not working.. to leaking everywhere. A bit of plastic went missing that i believe was the 'valve' that regulates water flow.. so the tank just emptied - i then had no choice but replacement unit

 

[Jamestnewson]

@jimmybell, looks like mine has done the exact same thing.

Went from not working to working like your non functional one in the video you have to emptying the tank when you fill it up. Out of interest, how much was your replacement part?

 

[Jamestnewson]

Just found this on the worshop manual site with this description.

Unlock high-pressure line (1) and detach from high-pressure
nozzle of headlight cleaning system (3). Pull locks (2) in direction of arrow. Pull high-pressure nozzle of headlight cleaning system (3) in
direction of arrow out of guides and feed out through opening in
bumper trim. Installation: Make sure high-pressure nozzle of headlight cleaning system (3)
is correctly seated. New high-pressure nozzle of headlight cleaning system (3) is
already preadjusted.

Had a quick look before it got dark but couldn't really see how the clips in step 2 prise loose really. Looks like you could in theory take this out without the need to remove the bumper.
Anyone have an idea of how the clips work ?

 

[Jamestnewson]

Too the advice and ordered a new one from sopers. They seem like a nice bunch and very helpful. Will definitely use them again in the future. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.