Poor windscreen washer spray

naughtysmurf

141 Civic, when I use the windscreen washer, the water barely makes the bottom of the windscreen, the resovoir is full, all sounds normal, no debris around the water outlets, both outlets are the same, very weak spray, any ideas?
Thanks

73bc61lyohr0mu

Use a pin to clear out and adjust the nozzles themselves. If that doesn't solve it the filter at the washer pump itself could be clogged.

Carpentry

naughtysmurf wrote: »

141 Civic, when I use the windscreen washer, the water barely makes the bottom of the windscreen, the resovoir is full, all sounds normal, no debris around the water outlets, both outlets are the same, very weak spray, any ideas?
Thanks

Spray plenty of WD-40 and leave for few minutes. Did the trick for me, than try to adjust them with needle.

L-M

Carpentry wrote: »

Spray plenty of WD-40 and leave for few minutes. Did the trick for me, than try to adjust them with needle.

I’m not sure spraying WD40 somewhere that’s then going to possibly spray onto your windscreen, is a good idea, I could be wrong.

Carpentry

L-M wrote: »

I’m not sure spraying WD40 somewhere that’s then going to possibly spray onto your windscreen, is a good idea, I could be wrong.

Seen a video of a guy cleaning wiper blades with wd-40, why would it matter ? You spray on the nozzles.

blade1

What are u using as windscreen washer?

naughtysmurf

blade1 wrote: »

What are u using as windscreen washer?

Just plain old water, don't even use it that often, not sure what some posters mean when they say adjust the nozzles, do you mean direction wise, didn't know that was possible actually

blade1

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Just plain old water, don't even use it that often, not sure what some posters mean when they say adjust the nozzles, do you mean direction wise, didn't know that was possible actually

Lime in water might have clogged them up.
Yes they can moved if you stick a safety pin in them.
Better to get them unclogged first though.

Joe390

naughtysmurf wrote: »

141 Civic, when I use the windscreen washer, the water barely makes the bottom of the windscreen, the resovoir is full, all sounds normal, no debris around the water outlets, both outlets are the same, very weak spray, any ideas?
Thanks

Had the same problem here before . The jets were clogged. Got a sowing needle and poked and cleaned them out . Jets can be adjusted by using the needle and moving it to the direction required.
Best use a concentrated window wash. No lime and won't freeze in winter.

Miike

Had a problem like this myself and it turned out I needed to replace the backflow valve (different car to yours mind you) due to buildup of ****e within the valve (acts as both a splitter and backflow). Part was 1.90 from a mainstealer.

blade1

Miike wrote: »

Part was 1.90 from a mainstealer.

A contradiction of terms there

CJhaughey

If you are in a hard water area you may have limescale buildup in the nozzles themselves, use something like Cillit bang in a syringe and force it into the nozzle, if there is limescale it can remove it, I used drain cleaner acid carefully and it foamed and fizzed a bit then cleared it somewhat.
I am still not entirely happy with the spray but its a lot better than it was.
Denture cleaning tablets are supposed to be decent for cleaning the whole washer system if dropped into the tank and left.

delly

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Just plain old water, don't even use it that often, not sure what some posters mean when they say adjust the nozzles, do you mean direction wise, didn't know that was possible actually

You have to get close to see it, but yes, that's just it. The pin can clear any blockage, but can also be adjusted like a little ball bearing with a water jet. Even a minor adjustment can result in the jet going a different direction. I had one of the jets stop working on an older car and by adjusting the other side I was able to split both of the nozzles to cover the whole window.



The other factor is the strainer or filter that may be blocked at the water pump. Pics below of a BMW, but your civic will be obviously different. Water is pumped from the bottom of the reservoir to your jets. You need to take out the pump and that should expose the strainer which may need a clean.

corks finest

Carpentry wrote: »

Spray plenty of WD-40 and leave for few minutes. Did the trick for me, than try to adjust them with needle.

Wd 40 near a windscreen? Naaaa

colm_mcm

I had this happen on my Civic - I don’t know why this worked, but I popped the hose off the washer jets, ran the pump and then reattached. This happened a few times over the years and I have no idea why.

L-M

Carpentry wrote: »

Seen a video of a guy cleaning wiper blades with wd-40, why would it matter ? You spray on the nozzles.

Because you’re putting an oil based product on something that’s going to go on the windscreen of your car? Don’t believe everything you see on YouTube!

Carpentry

L-M wrote: »

Because you’re putting an oil based product on something that’s going to go on the windscreen of your car? Don’t believe everything you see on YouTube!

I dont and I havent done that, but it worked on nozzles.

L-M

Carpentry wrote: »

I dont and I havent done that, but it worked on nozzles.

The novels are going to spray on the windscreen.

Anyway if it worked it worked for you, just not advisable.

CoBo55

colm_mcm wrote: »

I had this happen on my Civic - I don’t know why this worked, but I popped the hose off the washer jets, ran the pump and then reattached. This happened a few times over the years and I have no idea why.

Grit getting behind the nozzle, when you removed the hose it fell out. Your method is the correct way to clear them.

Wibbs

I had similar on my Integra until I went and bought nozzles originally fitted to Honda Jazz' which are of a different design and I've not had any problem since and they're way better at spraying. It's more a mist than four individual sprays.

MetzgerMeister

Given the cold weather, is it possible that the water froze in your washer system? Especially since you're only using water.

naughtysmurf

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Given the cold weather, is it possible that the water froze in your washer system? Especially since you're only using water.

No but hope to get a chance later to have a look