I have an almost-perfect winter car - if it wasn't for...
Discussion
... the bloody washer nozzles freezing up.
Actually, I don't know that the problem is. I just know that after cleaning the screen before leaving home on any day where the temperature is below zero, I have no squirty squirt. I should have tested it before I left home.
Whilst stopping for the 3rd time to pour water from my drinks bottle over the screen, I got to thinking what a great aftermarket solution some electrically heated nozzles and a replacement washer-bottle-cap with built in immersion heater would be. That would resolve both potential problems and clean the screen much more efficiently.
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Actually, I don't know that the problem is. I just know that after cleaning the screen before leaving home on any day where the temperature is below zero, I have no squirty squirt. I should have tested it before I left home.
Whilst stopping for the 3rd time to pour water from my drinks bottle over the screen, I got to thinking what a great aftermarket solution some electrically heated nozzles and a replacement washer-bottle-cap with built in immersion heater would be. That would resolve both potential problems and clean the screen much more efficiently.
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Slightly off topic, but the Rover 75 had a "dealer fit" option for colder weather climates which gave you more insulated washer tubing and heated washer jets...
RRP was £60 (fitted when you bought a new car!), but I paid ~£15 for the kit a few months back, fitting you just connect it to a 12v live (I put a switch on an ignition live as I dont need it in the summer!) and your away.
Im sure you can get something aftermarket that does something similar.
Didn't stop the b
d thing freezing in the tube the other day, tho 
RRP was £60 (fitted when you bought a new car!), but I paid ~£15 for the kit a few months back, fitting you just connect it to a 12v live (I put a switch on an ignition live as I dont need it in the summer!) and your away.
Im sure you can get something aftermarket that does something similar.
Didn't stop the b
d thing freezing in the tube the other day, tho Mars said:
... the bloody washer nozzles freezing up.
Actually, I don't know that the problem is. I just know that after cleaning the screen before leaving home on any day where the temperature is below zero, I have no squirty squirt. I should have tested it before I left home.
Whilst stopping for the 3rd time to pour water from my drinks bottle over the screen, I got to thinking what a great aftermarket solution some electrically heated nozzles and a replacement washer-bottle-cap with built in immersion heater would be. That would resolve both potential problems and clean the screen much more efficiently.
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Sure it's possible and sure it's been done and is available too.Actually, I don't know that the problem is. I just know that after cleaning the screen before leaving home on any day where the temperature is below zero, I have no squirty squirt. I should have tested it before I left home.
Whilst stopping for the 3rd time to pour water from my drinks bottle over the screen, I got to thinking what a great aftermarket solution some electrically heated nozzles and a replacement washer-bottle-cap with built in immersion heater would be. That would resolve both potential problems and clean the screen much more efficiently.
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Putting liquid de-icer in the washer bottle mixed with a sensible solution of screenwash is another idea.
300bhp/ton said:
Mars said:
... the bloody washer nozzles freezing up.
Actually, I don't know that the problem is. I just know that after cleaning the screen before leaving home on any day where the temperature is below zero, I have no squirty squirt. I should have tested it before I left home.
Whilst stopping for the 3rd time to pour water from my drinks bottle over the screen, I got to thinking what a great aftermarket solution some electrically heated nozzles and a replacement washer-bottle-cap with built in immersion heater would be. That would resolve both potential problems and clean the screen much more efficiently.
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Sure it's possible and sure it's been done and is available too.Actually, I don't know that the problem is. I just know that after cleaning the screen before leaving home on any day where the temperature is below zero, I have no squirty squirt. I should have tested it before I left home.
Whilst stopping for the 3rd time to pour water from my drinks bottle over the screen, I got to thinking what a great aftermarket solution some electrically heated nozzles and a replacement washer-bottle-cap with built in immersion heater would be. That would resolve both potential problems and clean the screen much more efficiently.
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Putting liquid de-icer in the washer bottle mixed with a sensible solution of screenwash is another idea.
Seems to point to a requirement to duct warm air from under the bonnet at the nozzles, or some electric heater. The Scooby has a "wiper warmer" section of the windscreen. I am thinking if I buy some electrically heated nozzles, I might be able to use the same dashboard button to activate them too.
Heated washers and heated mirrors seem to be pretty much standard fit on most European cars in the last 10 years or so. My Vectra, last few Astras, and Mondeo all have heated jets.
Worst car I had was my diesel Lancer. Doors wouldn't open, door handles froze, the washer bottle froze solid, and the heater couldn't warm the car at all. Was difficult to start, too. Mitsubishi had removed all VAG's winterisation from the TDI engine. Really, really poor car in the winter.
Worst car I had was my diesel Lancer. Doors wouldn't open, door handles froze, the washer bottle froze solid, and the heater couldn't warm the car at all. Was difficult to start, too. Mitsubishi had removed all VAG's winterisation from the TDI engine. Really, really poor car in the winter.
Mars said:
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Two of the 'lines' on the heated rear screen are broken, so in the mornings it all defrosts except for a thin (but solid) line of ice right through the middle. Which is annoying.Symbolica said:
Mars said:
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Two of the 'lines' on the heated rear screen are broken, so in the mornings it all defrosts except for a thin (but solid) line of ice right through the middle. Which is annoying.Mars said:
I can't find any electrically heated nozzles that would be a simple fit, so I've resorted to "additives" to my screen wash solution. Polish Vodka and washing up liquid. Hope the car likes it.
Washing Up Liquid contains salt as a thickening agent. Probably the last thing you want to be spraying onto your car...shakotan said:
Mars said:
I can't find any electrically heated nozzles that would be a simple fit, so I've resorted to "additives" to my screen wash solution. Polish Vodka and washing up liquid. Hope the car likes it.
Washing Up Liquid contains salt as a thickening agent. Probably the last thing you want to be spraying onto your car...Symbolica said:
Mars said:
Anyone else experienced any winter blues with the operation of their car? My last Scooby (a late 1990s one) had no mirror heaters which was a bloody pain too.
Two of the 'lines' on the heated rear screen are broken, so in the mornings it all defrosts except for a thin (but solid) line of ice right through the middle. Which is annoying.Slightly off topic, but I've just bought a new car and I was amazed that when the washers are frozen up, the wipers don't operate after pulling the lever to squirt and wipe 
A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.
A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.HellDiver said:
shakotan said:
Mars said:
I can't find any electrically heated nozzles that would be a simple fit, so I've resorted to "additives" to my screen wash solution. Polish Vodka and washing up liquid. Hope the car likes it.
Washing Up Liquid contains salt as a thickening agent. Probably the last thing you want to be spraying onto your car...k it, I'm driving over salt anyway, let get barrels of the stuff and coat my car in it, go the whole hog! 
RobM77 said:
Slightly off topic, but I've just bought a new car and I was amazed that when the washers are frozen up, the wipers don't operate after pulling the lever to squirt and wipe A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.
Would have better if they'd engineered the nozzles not to freeze up. There's a whole monster of an engine in the car creating all sorts of heat. I'm surprised they can't harness that in some way to duct a bit of heat to the nozzles. A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.Mars said:
RobM77 said:
Slightly off topic, but I've just bought a new car and I was amazed that when the washers are frozen up, the wipers don't operate after pulling the lever to squirt and wipe A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.
Would have better if they'd engineered the nozzles not to freeze up. There's a whole monster of an engine in the car creating all sorts of heat. I'm surprised they can't harness that in some way to duct a bit of heat to the nozzles. A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.
Yes, you'd think so! I think heated nozzles are an option though, so no doubt they expect you to pay for the privilege...shakotan said:
Mars said:
I can't find any electrically heated nozzles that would be a simple fit, so I've resorted to "additives" to my screen wash solution. Polish Vodka and washing up liquid. Hope the car likes it.
Washing Up Liquid contains salt as a thickening agent. Probably the last thing you want to be spraying onto your car...My first car, a 1970s mini, never suffered (more than it already had) by washing up liquid in the washer bottle. I'm sure my 2005 galvanized and aluminium Scooby will be fine. BUT as soon as it's no longer needed, I will empty the washer bottle and replace with normal screenwash. Might leave the vodka in there though. You never know.
Incidentally, found another irritation with it - the projector headlights create a lot heat. The plastic panel that covers them dries out all the crap thrown at them making them pretty useless within about 30 miles. I had headlamp washers on a 1988 Cavalier. Why hasn't my 2005 top of the range Scooby got them? Should be law (I know they are for HIDs).
RobM77 said:
Slightly off topic, but I've just bought a new car and I was amazed that when the washers are frozen up, the wipers don't operate after pulling the lever to squirt and wipe A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.
You need to do the relay upgrade, then it only wipes twice after squirting and you can adjust the length of the intermittant wipe. Smiles all round A nice little touch, but god knows how they engineered it! My Elise always makes me cringe when I try the same thing in icy weather as I have to listen to the wipers wiping dry across the screen four times.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff