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washers clogged

5K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  N5S-Matter 
#1 ·
My windshield washers appear to be clogged up. I tried to blow air through the tube I disconnected at the fender and nothing seems to go through.the end from the tub seems good. How do I clear them out?
 
#3 ·
I guess all the techniques for descale electric kettles apply here.
You can use lemon salt (citric acid) or hot water with white vinegar (1:1) or just buy a descaler liquid in Home depot.
I would start with the needle to unclog the small pipe at the end and then descale it with some of the aforementioned methods.
 
#4 ·
Wouldn't too much acid damage the windshield if the spray it tho the washers?
 
#8 ·
If you are referring to the citric acid, then it should be a one time wash only, the same as with electric kettles, once the stone is dissolved you wash it thoroughly with clean water and from that moment on, use the regular water/distilled water to fill the water tank.
But first, the clog in the pipe has to be punctured with a pin/needle so some liquid can flow and carry away the hard minerals.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I vote "pin," first. Hopefully, that remedies the issue.

I know this may seem strange, with you living in Florida. I'd wager you don't use window antifreeze, right? Just tap water out of the hose, or the spigot? If so, how's your water's mineral content in the area? Hard?

If it is hard water, and water is your liquid of preference due to cost, I'd recommend dropping a buck or two down for some distilled water from now on...after you have drained the current contents out of the reservoir tank.

Even though it is Florida, I, personally, would use some over the counter product like Rain-X for it's water repelling benefits.

Or, a gallon jug of bug cleaning washer spray from Wally World, or wherever. (Yes, I've seen those KILLER bugs in Florida! Saw one stand flat-footed and kiss a full-grown German Shepherd. Made a believer out of me.)

Does the washer pump motor hum when you call for spray from the wiper stalk? It's also highly possible that the strainer at the bottom is clogged. No amount of blowing is going to get that cleaned until you get the tank off and clean it out. The additives mentioned above may help to do that very thing without removing it. Allow time for it to work.

Just throwing out some ideas. I don't have this issue. Tank is always full of Rain-X fluid. With a spare gallon on standby in the garage.
 
#7 ·
It's either hard water, crap in the tank, car has been sitting for quite some time or he never washes it. Let's see what his response is. :D
 
#12 · (Edited)
I feel like an idiot for not thinking of the "simplest solution," first. And I preach about it on here all the time. I need to listen to some of my own advice once in a while. Thanks, Andrew. Nice catch!

@Austerity: I have NEVER had a clogged nozzle. Of course, I have always used some brand of windshield washer liquid in the tanks of every car I've owned. First thing I did when I got home from the dealer was pull the dealer's logo off. The next "first" thing I did was get a hose and vacuumed out every bit of the washer solvent Hyundai had put in there. Replaced with Rain-X. Not that there is anything wrong with the Big H brand, you understand. I just prefer what I prefer. Why switch horses in the middle of a stream if the one you're on has a proven track record of swimming along nicely toward the other shorelines?
 
#11 ·
Using too much? I use the **** out of mine, with the Rain X 2-in-1 bug/de-icer formula ( Rain-X® 2-in-1 Windshield Washer Fluid - Rain-X ) and I have not had them clog up on any vehicle.

I did have them clog up on a 1994 Honda Accord I purchased last year (which I sold for $$$ for down payment on the Elantra).

They were clogged on the Accord from sitting under a tree for years and not moving.
 
#13 ·
Great advice from everyone here! I don't know if I mentioned I pulled the line off at the fender and tried to blow some air threw it, none would go through to the nozzels ,but the liquid flow from the tank was good. No I don't use water from the tap here,the last stuff I used was the green rainx washer ,when than ran down I used the regular blue stuff. Exactly what happens id when I first turn it on a little squirts out then I just hear the pump motor whine. I will try the pin method today and see what happens.If that don't work then last resort is the service dept.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Exactly what happens id when I first turn it on a little squirts out then I just hear the pump motor whine.
Not to make light of your dilemma, but you have just effectively described what I heard a guy try to tell his surgeon the other day before being anesthetized as the surgery techs were prepping the roto-rooters. I left the room. No need for me to be in there to watch that event unfold. :eek:

I like the idea from @newtech. Pull off the hose attached to the nozzles and see if liquid squirts out.

You see? This is EXACTLY why he and @lovemysantafe are "Senior Mods." I'm still a work in progress. :grin:
 
#19 · (Edited)
@Carlmc1: GREAT news. Go forth and clog no more! Drop some good Rain-X down the throat of that tank. I wonder if the Rain-X/Blue stuff chemical combinations may have interacted with each other? Not that it really matters, now. You're up and spraying! Enjoy that clean windshield!

Post a pic of the new fog install. No pic, it didn't happen. Forum rule! It's not posted in the formal rules...it's an "understood" rule.

EDIT: I recall several posts the past 4 years about clogged strainers/tubes at the tank bottom. Each time, it was a "blue-colored" liquid referenced by the poster.
 
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