Windscreen washer problem

[jned2]

I seem to have developed a windscreen washer pump problem. I tried the washer today with no result, checked the water level and it was empty, filled up the bottle, tried again and still no water squirting on to the screen. There is power getting to the pump, I can hear it whirring, but when I look at the clear plastic tubing leading from the bottle to the bulkhead there doesn't seem to be any water/air bubbles moving in it. Could the pump be knackered i.e. not pumping but still make a whirring noise? Could an air lock have developed when there was no water in the bottle? Is there a replacement pump available if all else fails? Any ideas/help/suggestions ? Cheers

[Mr Plow]

I bought one of these to replace the horrible plastic one and free up some space in the engine bay.

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/windscreen-w...

Liam

[phillpot]

Could it have frozen? possibly the pump motor would start and rip out the little drive dog to the impellor (which would be stuck with ice)? Motor would run but do nothing?

Bit of advice/info on this recent post

Mr Plow said:

I bought one of these to replace the horrible plastic one.......

How can a colostomy bag look better than the original?

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 23 January 23:14

[jned2]

Thanks both. Mike, the car is garaged and its not been that cold with us (it just keeps raining) so I don't think it's been frozen. I was also wondering why the link took me to a medical supplies catalogue! Anybody (Liam) know how the water bottle is attached to the body, I've got a feeling a colostomy bag might be the way forward. Cheers Neil.

[S2Mike]

Could simply be dirt dragged into the pipe through running out of water, a good blow down the tubes from the washer jet end may be enough to free the blockage, or maybe try priming it with water into the pump to give it something to pull through!!. Or if its been dry for a while a spider may have moved in....!

Edited by S2Mike on Friday 24th January 09:08

[Roy C]

One of the tubes may be kinked or blocked. I replaced some of the original tubing on mine as it had gone a manky shade of yellow with age.

[Oldred_V8S]

phillpot said:

Could it have frozen? possibly the pump motor would start and rip out the little drive dog to the impellor (which would be stuck with ice)? Motor would run but do nothing?

Bit of advice/info on this recent post

Mr Plow said:

I bought one of these to replace the horrible plastic one.......

How can a colostomy bag look better than the original?

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 23 January 23:14

I bet the ears of the GTS have pricked up, "what, you mean there is an in-car colostomy bag available?"

[glenrobbo]

Oldred_V8S said:

I bet the ears of the GTS have pricked up, "what, you mean there is an in-car colostomy bag available?"

Personally, I think colostomies are a bag of st

[jned2]

Windscreen washer problem sorted and without having to resort to the drastic colostomy bag option!! Instead went for washers attached to wiper blades. I prised up the original washer nozzle and disconnected the tubing, then pulled the tubing back into the engine bay through the bulkhead. After lowering the tubing below the washer bottle and letting water flow out, the pump worked again, not sure if it was an air in the pump or a kinked tube. I've since re routed the tubing via the engine side of the bulkhead and then to the new washer/wipers and all is working fine. Thanks for the help/suggestions.