Unblocking washer jets?

[se6b]

Hello, does anyone know of a trick or product for unblocking washer jets? The jets on the beemer are giving out little more than a dribble at the moment and it seems that I'd have to remove the soundproofing to get at them...which looks like it involves the removal of about 30 or 40 bolts...plus the bonnet catch! Help!!

[fruitcake]

se6b said:

Hello, does anyone know of a trick or product for unblocking washer jets? The jets on the beemer are giving out little more than a dribble at the moment and it seems that I'd have to remove the soundproofing to get at them...which looks like it involves the removal of about 30 or 40 bolts...plus the bonnet catch! Help!!

Use a pin to try and unblock the jets from the outside. Other than that I'd say you've got a long weekend ahead of you.

[BliarOut]

If a pin is too thick, try and blag a hypodermic needle if you know anyone in the medical profession.

[Nuclearsquash]

surely if its dribbling then it's empty and needs topping up?

[kentish]

I use a needle to unblock mine on the BM and it works well.

One piece of advice ....never use screenwash tablets, use liquid only!

Tablets are terrible for blocking jets.

[a2z]

This happend to me once and it was the washer pump that was on its way out. Couple of quid at the scrap yard and a 5 min job, back to normal. Think you can also get them at Halfords.

[se6b]

Yes, I've tried using a pin to no avail. The washer reservoir is completely full to the brim thanks Its full of Halfords undiluted screenwash (which it says you can do in the winter) as it was regularly sub-zero when I filled it. The motor is whirring away happily too.

It does indeed look like being a long weekend!!! One I've been putting off for a while now

[mcflurry]

Try filling the resovoir with vinegar, cillet bang or similar (remembering to keep it off the paintwork / rinsing regularly etc...)

[benaldo]

I had the same problem on my Beemer - both jets were dribbling but after making sure there was enough water in the bottle, just kept them on for about 30-40 secs and they eventually spluttered in to life ! Hasn't happened since, probably a bit of dirt or something in the hose......

[_topcat]

I have used a wire brush in the past. just feed one of the bristles down it and give it a wiggle.

[J1mmyD]

I would suggest trying descaler. The stuff you use in irons and kettles .... but double check the make you get and see what it says about painted surfaces.

[sabre]

do you KNOW the jets are blocked? its not the one way valve which has swelled. Some additives affect this, that reduces water flow. Remove it and see if the flows better

[bennyboysvuk]

There's an L shaped filter thing on the engine side of the bonnet that sits between the hose and the spray nozzle itself. This clogs up every now and then. Once this happens you need to get new ones from the stealer, but I think they're less than £2 each.

[motco]

If you have one of those neat propelling pencils that uses 0.5mm diameter leads that click forward when you press the top, they usually have a wire 'prodder' for removing broken bits of lead. It is ideal!

[BliarOut]

Go to your local garage forecourt, lift bonnet, detach pipe leading to the washer jet and attach airline with insulating tape. Give washer jets a bj to remember, job done

[se6b]

benaldo said:

I had the same problem on my Beemer - both jets were dribbling but after making sure there was enough water in the bottle, just kept them on for about 30-40 secs and they eventually spluttered in to life ! Hasn't happened since, probably a bit of dirt or something in the hose......

Yep, tried that method too. Didn't work for me unfortunately. Thanks though.

[se6b]

bennyboysvuk said:

There's an L shaped filter thing on the engine side of the bonnet that sits between the hose and the spray nozzle itself. This clogs up every now and then. Once this happens you need to get new ones from the stealer, but I think they're less than £2 each.

That sounds like it could be worth investigating. I haven't noticed a filter. Is that located under the bonnet soundproofing or is it exposed?

[Pat H]

se6b said:

bennyboysvuk said: There's an L shaped filter thing on the engine side of the bonnet that sits between the hose and the spray nozzle itself. This clogs up every now and then. Once this happens you need to get new ones from the stealer, but I think they're less than £2 each. That sounds like it could be worth investigating. I haven't noticed a filter. Is that located under the bonnet soundproofing or is it exposed?

I had a blocked jet on my E36.

You need to unscrew the back part of the underbonnet felt to get at the nasty filters that are located just beneath the jets.

Disconnect the filters and throw them away.

Don't bother replacing them.

The plastic plugs that you unscrewed to take off the underbonnet felt can just be pushed back in, so the whole job only takes 10 minutes.

[rsvmilly]

BliarOut said:

Go to your local garage forecourt, lift bonnet, detach pipe leading to the washer jet and attach airline with insulating tape. Give washer jets a bj to remember, job done

I did similar to this on my Clio by pulling off the water pipe and holding it against the front of the jets. I operated the squirter pump and it cleared the jets through backwards, which seemed to be much more effective.

[nwtony]

If you get those little bread bag ties with the wire down the middle and covered in plastic (you know the ones I mean) and strip a bit of the plastic away with a sharp knife, you get a good peice of wire for clearing the jets with a little plastic handle to help you grip it. A needle is required if you need to reposition the jets after as the wire just bends under the pressure!