2018 Ford Fiesta Windscreen Washer Problem

[disad-vantage-d]

Our 2018 Fiesta front windscreen washers have stopped working. I can hear the pump working and the nozzles don't appear to be blocked.
The windscreen washer reservoir isn't easily accessible.
Any suggestions as to how to resolve this?

[catman]

have you tried taking the hoses off the nozzles to see what comes out?

[disad-vantage-d]

catman said:

have you tried taking the hoses off the nozzles to see what comes out?

Not as yet. The tubes are concealed behind soundproofing on the underside of the bonnet and aren't easily accessible. I was working on the presumption that the issue may be in the water reservoir itself.
But that is something I could also check, if I can get access to them.

[finlo]

The inlet filter will be clogged with slime, after spending many hour's dismantling a Mondeo to discover this! now a quick flush with a fast running hose keeps it at bay.

[disad-vantage-d]

finlo said:

The inlet filter will be clogged with slime, after spending many hour's dismantling a Mondeo to discover this! now a quick flush with a fast running hose keeps it at bay.

I had a quicl go with a hose and it didn't resolve the problem. The design of the neck of the bottle prevents the hose nozzle from entering the main body of the reservoir.
I had to remove the hose nozzle to insert the hose, so the water pressure will have been significantly reduced.

[catman]

you could drop a couple of Steradent tablets in there to give the area a clean.

[VanDiesel99]

Try a Dress-Making Pin in the Nozzles, if there is a blockage in 'em that'll likely clear it.

[GreenV8S]

VanDiesel99 said:

Try a Dress-Making Pin in the Nozzles, if there is a blockage in 'em that'll likely clear it.

If you push the obstruction back into the jet, you guarantee that it's going to block again.

[disad-vantage-d]

Update: On the advice of my mechanic (a MINI specialist who services my Cooper S) I tried putting some Milton fluid into the bottle (he advised putting a little in every couple of refills as a general preventative measure). Over the last week I have tried putting in some white vinegar. After no success I popped in 3 or 4 Steradent tablets. Still no luck.
This morning before jacking the car up with a view to removing the wheelarch liner and accessing the washer bottle I first tried another blast with the hosepipe. At first nothing, then a few drops, then a weak spray. A minute or so later both front and rear washers are now spraying with vigour!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. One of which or a combination of all have eventually saved me a lot of hassle.

[catman]

Glad that it's fixed. It'll be the Steradent tablets!

[Si Bos]

Hi guys i had this problem on my 2019 fiesta no fluid getting through etc pump was working and sign of a blockage followed this thread for advice (all good btw) but after a 24hr soaking with 3 Steradent tabs still no joy flushed the tank yet again with fresh clean water and tried jets on screen no joy so as a last resort took the bonnet blanket off (sound proofer) pulled the hose off the connector drivers side nearest to filler tank then just put my tyre compressor on it with the small plastic sleeve (for airbeds etc) switched compressor on with the filler tank lid off and watched it gush gently till if foamed out then repeated process again after refilling the tank with fresh water after 3 flushes reconnected the hose to the jet it worked spot on front and rear jets working how they should and conclusion is the previous owner must of filled the tank with contaminated water possible old dirty watering can as the jets have never been much good from me purchasing the car and just out of warranty the jets stopped completly and no doubt a garage would charge a small fortune for a simple job. Hope this may help anyone with a similar problem