Screenwash: working but useless. Non return valve is fine.

[Bagz]

Hi all,

I'm aware that it can be problematic but mine really is pathetic.

The headlight wash is foamy and enthusiastic, I know because it covers the front of the car and beyond.

 

The window washers are useless, as per the picture below (this is in full flow). I get pathetic flow and no foam.

 

 

 

I've checked the non-return valve and replaced it just in case. It made no difference.

 

Any advice?

 

Thanks,

Bagz

[Strudul]

I didn't know they were supposed to foam. My windshield washers kinda half spray / dribble out, but I just hold it until there is a decent amount of fluid on the window.

Edited February 24, 2017 by Strudul

[Ekona]

Shouldn't foam really, that just indicates unnecessary air or a poor mix of detergent I'd say.

 

Hard to tell from a static pic how bad yours are, however I would also try unblocking the nozzles (just in case), adjusting the angle of them, and then you can always pop the hose off and test into a bucket to make sure the pump is working properly.

[GMballistic]

Personally I'd remove the non-return valve from the equation all together.

 

It really isn't needed and my windscreen washers were a lot more powerful after I removed mine replacing it with a straight through piece of pipe. Try that first would be my advice.

[Bagz]

Thanks folks, so it sounds like dribbling is normal. It's the only car I've ever driven which didn't cover the arc with a mist of washer fluid(possibly a better description than foam). I'll try a straight-through connector for comparison. Then a wire-brush bristle in the jets.

 

I can't believe that this is as-designed!

[Strudul]

Don't most cars have the jets mounted at the bottom of the windscreen / on the bonnet which spray up and cover everything. On the Z they are inside the wipers so don't need to blast out.

[Bagz]

Don't most cars have the jets mounted at the bottom of the windscreen / on the bonnet which spray up and cover everything. On the Z they are inside the wipers so don't need to blast out.

In theory, this might work. In practice it's dreadful!

You'd assume they tested it.

[Strudul]

Dunno, I never found it to be an issue. Maybe it's more economical because you have more control and waste less fluid?

I just hold the stick down for a few seconds usually to get everything nice and wet.

[Bagz]

That's the issue though: because it doesn't spray far I use loads of fluid trying to reach all areas.

Thinking about it, I wonder if a previous owner was over-zealous with a pin and the jets have been bored out.