windscreen washer

[samuria]

i have fitted a electric screen washer bottle in the boot, this came from a old cortina mk 5. when i switch on the washer the first squirt is great then it dies to a trickle just coming out of the jets. is this because of the length of pipe? or the motor is not up to it?

[Dean]

Is there air getting into the pipe somehow? Maybe the pump is working but the flow of water isn't there 100% of the time as the motor is drawing air.

[samuria]

thanks never thought of that will check tomorrow

[Roni]

It could be the motor might be a bit tired, they don't last forever. I have had 2 fail in the way you describe on 2 different 10 year old cars. The length of tube should not be a worry, on my Subaru the rear washer is fed from the front reservoir.

[mike.perry]

Have you got a non return valve fitted on the end of the tube?

[samuria]

Have you got a non return valve fitted on the end of the tube?

no. would this make a difference

[LouiseM]

Yes! You need a non return valve to stop the water going back down the pipe and into the water bottle after the first squirt. The valve ensures that the water pressure remains high enough to push the water out the pipe and onto your windscreen. Not sure that I've described it technically perfectly but you do need to a non return valve to get the washer to work properly. Most of the main Minor traders sell them or you could probably pick one up at your local motor factors.

[samuria]

that seems to be the problem, what does the non return vavle look like

[LouiseM]

They come in a variety of shapes but generally look a bit like this. One end fixes to the end of the piping and then goes into the bottle. Very cheap - only a pound or so![frame][/frame]

[samuria]

thanks. i will get one then see what happens

[samuria]

washers fixed. got a non return valve £2.40. swapped the motor for one off a hatchback granada. first flick of the switch watered the neighbours roses all sorted now thanks