Windscreen washer pump

[KatiePotatie]

I have seen a few other posts about the same problem, but I can't figure out how to get to the bits I need to get to to do any of the things suggested

When I push the windscreen wash button thingy, nothing happens, I have emptied the (manky) water out of the bottle, and replaced it with proper screen wash, but I can't figure out how to get to the pipe that disappears into the back of the engine bit and connects to the squirty bit (do you like my use of techncal terms?)

D'oh!

[mike.perry]

Remove the glove box liners, why do they call them glove boxes? Who keeps gloves in them? That should give you access to the pipes and a mess of wires. You should have a non return valve near the end of the pipe. Disconnect the pipes from the pump and blow through the tubes to clear the crud out, you may have to clean the jets with a pin.
Or covert them to electric washers

[chrisryder]

try to ascertain if the pump itself is working too. if not used for a long time the 'bellows' (balloon thing ) inside the pump can often perish and stop working.

do make sure there is a non return valve somewhere on the pipe as otherwise the fluid will not draw up the tubes.

to get the pump out you have to remove the glove box liner as suggested, and there will be a bezel on the dash side that acts as a nut that holds the pump to the dash. you will have to hold the bezel and turn the pump, or hold the pump and turn the bezel, to free the pump to remove it for inspection or testing.

[KatiePotatie]

HUmm, I have managed to get all the bits out, but now I'm just confused, I don't think there are enough bits somehow!

http://marthathemorrisminor.tumblr.com/ <--- pictures!

I have a (clean) pipe running from the screenwash into the car. Then inside the car, attached to the pump is another short tube, which connects to a junction type thing, with another tube coming off one side. So how does this thing connect up?

It looks like there aren't enough tubes, as trying various combinations of tubes to bits, the screen wash does pump through, but then how do I connect it so it comes out of the squirty bits?!!

[mike.perry]

You should have a tube from the bottle to the pump then a tube from the pump to a junction then each way to the jets.
If that and the fuel pipe are all that's wrong then you have a good car

[KatiePotatie]

Fixed it. I'm a bit of pipe missing, as I thought. And I had to dip the pump iself into water & pump it to fill it before it would work to pump the screenwash through!

So tomorrow, I will be nipping round to the pet shop in the hope that they have some of this here pipe!

[KatiePotatie]

You should have a tube from the bottle to the pump then a tube from the pump to a junction then each way to the jets.
If that and the fuel pipe are all that's wrong then you have a good car

I didn't see this!!

Everything else seems to be ok, she drives well (as well as the driver can drive her anyway ;)) I think the only things wrong really are cosmetic issues. And perhaps the heater, but I have plenty of months to figure that out!

[mike.perry]

Have you checked for a one way valve to stop the water draining back down the pipe?

[charlie_morris_minor]

And perhaps the heater, but I have plenty of months to figure that out!

no.. the heaters never work very well...

[RobMoore]

And perhaps the heater, but I have plenty of months to figure that out!

no.. the heaters never work very well...

Mine works great

[KatiePotatie]

Show off :p


The screenwash has the valve thingy, it's just missing a bit of pipe now, otherwise it's working finally! Yay!

[Nuffles]

I gave up on getting mine to work so converted it to an electric pump. Get looaaddss more liquid through and it requires much less effort and attention, so I can keep my thoughts on driving instead. The only downside is that the switch for it is by my right knee and the switch for the windscreen wipers is by my left which means juggling the steering wheel between hands to get it to work

[mike.perry]

No need for 2 switches, replace the wiper switch with a light switch, 1 click wipers, 2 clicks wipers & washers.

[KatiePotatie]

I got a new pump yesterday as I managed to break the case of the original one by tryingt o check that it worked properly. Well done Katie!!

I like the fact that it is a pain in the bum to use the pump, it's part of what I adore about Martha! Lets face it, although we love them, they are a pain!! ;)

[stag36587]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread. I have a manual washer pump which I tried to get working today. Squeezing the bottle gently got powerful streams of fluid out of each jet. I then pumped from inside the car and it operated brilliantly. An hour later though, nothing - as if it had lost its prime. I have a new valve fitted on end of pipe in the washer bottle. There are no leaks either.

Maybe I didn't prime it properly, i.e. should I get someone to squeeze bottle at same time as someone operates the pump? Or should I be doing something else? I could convert to an electric pump but I like the originality of the manual pump so keen to keep it.

Thanks

[POMMReg]

Show off :p


The screenwash has the valve thingy, it's just missing a bit of pipe now, otherwise it's working finally! Yay!

Would I be correct in thinking your profession isn't writing motoring manuals?!

[mogbob]

To me , it sounds as though the windscreen washer has gone past it's " sell by date " and the internal diaphragm has perished.
If it is original to the car then the outcome is not unsurprising !
The clues are a good strong flow of water from the washer bottle when under pressure but an hour later nothing i.e. the water in the pipes has drained back through a porous diaphragm.
Time to purchase a new pump from somebody like ESM ( circa £15 /20 from memory ).
Manual or conversion to Electric ? All a matter of personal preference. Your car / your decision.
Bob

[ianmack]

In my experience most manual washers need a few pumps to get them going if they haven't been used for a while. This may be quaintly amusing if there is no urgency but if a passing vehicle has suddenly covered your screen with muck it needs a rapid response. I have fitted an electric pump and there are plenty of suitable switches available.

[mike.perry]

If you are going to fit electric washers, swap the wiper switch for a light switch and keep the car looking original.

[stag36587]

So symptoms repeated today. First strokes on the manual pump powerful water jets. 20 mins later took 3-4 pumps to get going again; an hour later = nothing.

Coincidentally the front windscreen washer on my C4 daily driver decided to stop working (faulty pump) and the air push button on the downstairs toilet also broke through plastic fatigue. Sorted the toilet with a couple of strategically placed pins and ordered replacement Citroen washer pump.

I then took the Minor's washer pump off the car and tested using some spare tubing from the faulty toilet. One problem at least was immediately obvious. Water was getting past the diaphragm and surrounding the push button itsef so glad I've removed it.