Leaky Screen Washer
Discussion
Third non-return valve just fitted on near-side washer tube (up near where it joins the the washer mechanism) and the damn thing still leaks when going round right hand corners (or roundabouts) at a smartish pace. On track full washer bottle would be empty in 5 laps. Driving me (and NL) mad! Driver side washer has always been fine (once one-way valve fitted).
Washer mechanism is the long metal U-tube variety (attached to washer arm) that dollops water onto the screen rather than the small nozzle variety that sprays (as was on my old 3R).I don't believe for a minute that I go round corners quicker than anyone else so have any other M400 owners still got this problem? And if you havn't, how did you fix it? (two in-line valves? Different location for the valve??)
Ta.
Rob
Washer mechanism is the long metal U-tube variety (attached to washer arm) that dollops water onto the screen rather than the small nozzle variety that sprays (as was on my old 3R).I don't believe for a minute that I go round corners quicker than anyone else so have any other M400 owners still got this problem? And if you havn't, how did you fix it? (two in-line valves? Different location for the valve??)
Ta.
Rob
I must admit I never got this non return value solution. So, we've got a value that stops water going back down the system, yet the issue is water coming out of the system!
I'm guessing the theory was that there was a water follow across the wiper pair and this drew water out. The non return values would basically stop the side to side flow.
However if it's just siphoning the water straight out one side then those values do nothing.
I'm guessing the theory was that there was a water follow across the wiper pair and this drew water out. The non return values would basically stop the side to side flow.
However if it's just siphoning the water straight out one side then those values do nothing.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
I must admit I never got this non return value solution. So, we've got a value that stops water going back down the system, yet the issue is water coming out of the system!
I'm guessing the theory was that there was a water follow across the wiper pair and this drew water out. The non return values would basically stop the side to side flow.
However if it's just siphoning the water straight out one side then those values do nothing.
Phil -know what you mean; I struggled with the theory as well, but I think it's just a case of a valve providing some in-line resistance to prevent syphoning (from the washer bottle side). It does this OK when pootling about, but lateral forces when cornering hard just overcome it. Which is why I wondered about putting 2 in-line valves in?
matt fp said:
Silly question but is the non-return valve working properly. I.E. can you blow through it one way but not the other?
Metal PCV type valve or similar may work better as they are slightly sprung to hold the ball to the seat. I'll see if I have one spare for you.
Best Regards
Matt
Yep - valves OK on the blow through test. You going to be at Rockinham on Friday? Hopefully it will be sorted by then, but if not, maybe we can try the metal variety. From the weather forecast looks as if I will be needing all the screen wash I can hang onto !
The answer my M400 mates, is to stick 2 in-line valves in the near side wiper tubing. Dosn't restrict the actuated screen wash, but having 2 there provides just enough resistance to stop the syphoning. Noble London did that for me today along with a few other bits and pieces (thanks Skippy!)and not a drop of water was lost going round my usual 'test' r/bout. Back up plan was to replace the M400 U-tube variety with a 3R mechanism which dosn't leak, but now don't have to go down that route. Case closed.
robp said:
The answer my M400 mates, is to stick 2 in-line valves in the near side wiper tubing. Dosn't restrict the actuated screen wash, but having 2 there provides just enough resistance to stop the syphoning. Noble London did that for me today along with a few other bits and pieces (thanks Skippy!)and not a drop of water was lost going round my usual 'test' r/bout. Back up plan was to replace the M400 U-tube variety with a 3R mechanism which dosn't leak, but now don't have to go down that route. Case closed.
Err.. case re-opened. Lost all my washer fluid at Rockingham (in the afternoon)despite the 2 in-line valves. Now has a 3rd one down near the washer bottle rather than up by the base of the wiper. Seems to work for Joust.
All I need to do now is keep the oil where it should be...
I've only got one right near to where the outlet from the bottle is.
The thing still empties whatever is left in the tube on trackdays, but once that's done it doesn't drain the bottle anymore.
I got the only one they had in Halfords. However, even if you try and blow through it the right way nothing goes through it. I think that's why it works.
The downside is I had to play around with the washer tubes as it does slow down the flow somewhat and therefore it wasn't covering the whole of the screen with the tubes in their "as delivered" position. A little bit of jiggering around and it's fine now.
J
The thing still empties whatever is left in the tube on trackdays, but once that's done it doesn't drain the bottle anymore.
I got the only one they had in Halfords. However, even if you try and blow through it the right way nothing goes through it. I think that's why it works.
The downside is I had to play around with the washer tubes as it does slow down the flow somewhat and therefore it wasn't covering the whole of the screen with the tubes in their "as delivered" position. A little bit of jiggering around and it's fine now.
J
A multitude of solutions offered by dealers and individuals. Most only seem to provide some of the answer. I know I am new here so would hesitate to be rude but have Noble themselves not offered a viable and functional solution to what seems to me to be an important issue. After all if just taking roundabouts in a commited fashion causes the washer bottle to empty I am going to be in big trouble as where I live is full of them (roundabouts not washer bottles 
)!! Hopefully by the time I take delivery these niggles will have been resolved.
)!! Hopefully by the time I take delivery these niggles will have been resolved.pbsaxman said:
A multitude of solutions offered by dealers and individuals. Most only seem to provide some of the answer. I know I am new here so would hesitate to be rude but have Noble themselves not offered a viable and functional solution to what seems to me to be an important issue. After all if just taking roundabouts in a commited fashion causes the washer bottle to empty I am going to be in big trouble as where I live is full of them (roundabouts not washer bottles
If something like this bothers you that much, why are you buying a low volume British sports car?!?
I do seem to be doing well at offending people on here today!! 
I am buying this car because it has been on my to do list ever since it first came out and I can only now afford it! However buying a low volume British sports car shouldn't mean that basic things like self emptying washer bottles become acceptable. What I said was I'm surprised, given the level of complaints from people on here that Noble themselves haven't sourced a solution to this. If they have then people on here don't seem aware of it.
Don't get me wrong please, I simply adore this car and issues like this won't stop me buying it or enjoying driving it, but if a simple solution can be found it would save me carrying a spare water container in the Nobles vast boot
I am buying this car because it has been on my to do list ever since it first came out and I can only now afford it! However buying a low volume British sports car shouldn't mean that basic things like self emptying washer bottles become acceptable. What I said was I'm surprised, given the level of complaints from people on here that Noble themselves haven't sourced a solution to this. If they have then people on here don't seem aware of it.
Don't get me wrong please, I simply adore this car and issues like this won't stop me buying it or enjoying driving it, but if a simple solution can be found it would save me carrying a spare water container in the Nobles vast boot
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