No spray from rear window washer?

[Spanktron9]

I ran a search and can't see a related thread. My front washer (underhood) lines had cracks that greatly lessened pressure to the jets, replaced those last year and now they work great. I still get *nothing* from the rear washer, the pump activates, but I get nothing from the jet. Anyone dealt with this and have suggestions for diagnosis and fix?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tacoduck]

did you make sure you had washer fluid? sometimes the fixes are easy...

 

[slacker24-7]

I did a write up here somewhere a year or so ago. Mine was gummed up from lack of use. Pretty easy to pull the nozzle and clean it. Do a search it should come up .

 

[slacker24-7]

Here ya go.....Rear window washer

 

[Julian Stead]

I bought a new nozzle/jet, it wasn't expensive.

 

[r2m]

What I've done before is use a needle and compressed air. Use the compressed air blowing INTO the nozzle back toward the reservoir. Just make sure you have the cap off the reservoir and be light on the compressor nozzle trigger. Start out slowly or you'll blow washer fluid all over engine bay. Blowing back into the nozzle will sometimes dislodge any particulate that may have become trapped in the nozzle tip. Don't wank the needle around too much or it will mess with your spray pattern.

But first check to see if you can hear your pump running when you use the washer. If it's running then the above fix should work. If the pump is not running, well... I'm sure you've got the idea.

 

[JOFS]

I had a pump go bad. It is in the bottom of the tank inside the wheel well.

Replaced the pump and all is good.

Verify the pump works.
John

 

[Spanktron9]

Thanks for all the responses, gentlemen.
1) Yup. Got fluid.
2) Verified pump is running.
3) Next step is pull the nozzle and apply air pressure to check for clearance in the line.

Would be great if that was the solution. Thanks again. I'll post when resolved.

 

[Julian Stead]

I wouldn't put air down the line, just to be safe. You might blow the pipe off a connection somewhere you can't see it. Just take the nozzle out, disconnect the pipe and run the pump whilst someone is holding the pipe.

 

[Spanktron9]

UPDATE: Definitely clogged line. Used combination of pipe cleaner, air pressure and weed trimmer line to clear out lots of gunk, not sure *how* all that stuff (I'm assuming decomposed leaves?) got in the line. But cleared the line back to the reservoir with air. Cleared the short section of line to nozzle (totally gummed up), and cleaned a bunch from the nozzle. Couldn't clear it past the 90 degree bend though. So I'm soaking, but also ordered a new nozzle.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Spanktron9]

I wouldn't put air down the line, just to be safe. You might blow the pipe off a connection somewhere you can't see it. Just take the nozzle out, disconnect the pipe and run the pump whilst someone is holding the pipe.

Yeah, I thought about that. But I rolled the dice on it and it worked. It definitely could have gone pear shaped.

 

[Julian Stead]

Nice one, taking risks can pay off.

 

[Dwight S]

UPDATE: Definitely clogged line. Used combination of pipe cleaner, air pressure and weed trimmer line to clear out lots of gunk, not sure *how* all that stuff (I'm assuming decomposed leaves?) got in the line. But cleared the line back to the reservoir with air. Cleared the short section of line to nozzle (totally gummed up), and cleaned a bunch from the nozzle. Couldn't clear it past the 90 degree bend though. So I'm soaking, but also ordered a new nozzle.

Thanks for the tips!

Try some “floral wire”. Small diameter and stiff enough to do the job. Can get it at Michael’s, Walmart...

 

[Spanktron9]

Thanks for the suggestion. I ended up using a small 4" zip tie. It had the rigidity to make the corner. I reinstalled and have *decent* function from both jets. Of course, I'd already ordered a new nozzle online. So I'll see which works better and have a spare!

 

[Dwight S]

You can also soak the nozzle in CLR cleaner. (Calcium Lime Rust).

 

[r2m]

Thanks for all the responses, gentlemen.
1) Yup. Got fluid.
2) Verified pump is running.
3) Next step is pull the nozzle and apply air pressure to check for clearance in the line.

Would be great if that was the solution. Thanks again. I'll post when resolved.

Actually, my compressor air nozzle is the type with the rubber tip. I just press the rubber tip against the window washer nozzle (on the outside) and give it a few shots of air. I have previously disconnected the tubing from the nozzle and pressurized it, BUT... I find it's better to actually blow backwards into the washer nozzle into the washer system. If there is a particulate clogging, it will most likely be wedged in the nozzle. Blowing from outside the nozzle inward should dislodge anything anything wedged in there.

Hope it works!