Windscreen washers

[RobMoore]

Last evening I replaced the tubing, seems during the process water dripped onto the wiring behind the speedo area and I blew the fuse.
Now I am never comfortable having water near to electrics such as my current setup routing behind bulkhead into cabin behind the dash.

I am now thinking of drilling two holes into the bonnet and placing the water jets on the bonnet so as to keep everything within the engine compartment.

Has anyone done this? and how would I go about routing/attaching the tube to the underside of the bonnet?

[bmcecosse]

I very much doubt that water from the washers has blown a fuse! It's only 12 volts. Something else has blown the fuse - you need to look for it.

[RobMoore]

After coming back to it this evening and replacing the fuse, everything works fine even wiggling anything movable about vigorously the fuse did not blow. The fuse for indicators and brake lights blew last night due to water, it's had 24 hours to dry and works now.

However I don't like water and wires in close proximity, so am considering moving my pipes and washer jets to the bonnet to keep everything in the engine bay. I'm look for ideas and suggestions to help me acheive this, aside from the obvious need for drilling a hole or two in the bonnet for the jets, I am unsure as to the best or indeed a suitable means to retain the pipes.

Regards

Rob

[mike.perry]

The washers on both of my cars are under the dash, the MM has a central twin jet, and the Traveller has twin jets on either side. Both are electric and the pipe is kept as short as possible by having the bottle and pump mounted on the engine compartment bulkhead near to the fuel pump. I have never had any problem with water and electrics

[bmcecosse]

It was NOT the water - 12 volts and water won't blow a fuse! Best just keep the jets where they are - they work there.

[simmitc]

With over 30 years driving Minors (and over half a million miles), I have never had a problem with the washer jets where they are. As others have said, best left where they are. It's much more likely that in fiddling with the tubing, you knocked another wire - easily done. I would recommend checking all connections and cables in the area behind the speedo.

If we can't convince you, and you wish to proceed with jets on the bonnet, then that is your decision. So, to answer your question: On the bulkhead you can use "P" clips with self-tappers. The tubing to the jets on the bonnet should be largely self-supporting, but for strain relief use cable ties through self-adhesive bases (available from Maplin, Vehicle Wiring, Auto Electric Supplies, etc). The only thing is that the standard adhesive pads probably won't survive the heat, so scrape them off and use superglue to fix the base to the bonnet. Note sure how it will react to the flexing of the bonnet, but you can experiment. The ideal would be to weld metal tags to the bonnet and then repaint it to get rid of the resultant marks. All seems a lot of unnecessary effort!

[mike.perry]

You will then ruin a good bonnet by drilling holes in it and be left with unwanted holes in the scuttle which you will have to fill with grommets

[bmcecosse]

[chickenjohn]

If the pipes are leaking, replace the pipes!! Don't drill holes in the bonnet and move the washers, a completely unneccessary modification.

I also don't think water will have blown the fuse.

[RobMoore]

what is fitted is an aftermarket washer, the tubing aged and and even zip ties didnt help so I decided to just replace the tubing. In doing so quite a bit of water cam out of the pipes right behind the speedo. There are no bare wires, I have thoroughly inspected the area and the only cause of the blown fuse can be water. The only thing different there now is when the fuse did blow it was quite wet and now its dry all is good.
I agree holes in bonnet is not really nice so shall keep them where they are and will just ensure all is neat and tidy in current location.

thanks for help

[bmcecosse]

Nah - it wasn't the water!

[mike.perry]

You should have pumped the water out of the system before you dismantled it
You will be replacing the old tubing with nice new tubing which will not leak for another 30 years

[Kevin]

In case it's of use to anyone else the correct size tubing is available in pet shops and costs quite a bit less that the motoring shops.

[mike.perry]

Presumably for fish tanks?

[Kevin]

Right in one Mike.

[bmcecosse]

Fish tanks have windscreen washers ???????? Blimey!

[Kevin]

Dont you have underwater fire fighters up there