Blocked windscreen washer nozzle

[Briz111]

I've just had to remove a windscreen washer nozzle to try to unblock it, as it had stopped working entirely.  A bent paperclip did the job but I was surprised by how much resistance there was. There must be a little rubber check valve or something in there, which I have now probably broken!

Has anyone else had this problem before?  Accessing the nozzles is a bit tricky as the plastic cowl has to be prised off to reach them.  First step is to remove a little bolt at either end of the cowl, from under the bonnet.  The rest is held on by clips which pop up with some force.  The tubes and nozzles are attached to its underside. Photo for reference.

The nozzle now works, but it is not a nice even spray - more of a spurt.  It cleans the windscreen fine, but I will now be worried about it passing the MOT! I might buy a new nozzle.

[ColinB]

See this:
https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=18049.msg154892#msg154892

[Sean Regan]

When I was waiting in the mainagents in March for them to finish servicing my car, I was talking to another customer who was waiting for hers. A receptionist came across and tokd her, that the car was ready, but thre was an extra charge of £47 for unblocking the rear screen washer nozzle.

[NathanC67]

I just paid a dealer £80 to fit a new nozzle during the MOT.

[BeefOlives]

My adventures with the same issue which thankfully have not reoccurred. I replaced the front jets and any value along the piping I could access and tried my best to wash out the tank + infect for a belt and braces effect. It's worth mentioning that if you buy unofficial parts you might have to force the new jets into place like I had to do. Accessing the rear jet(front ones just stopped then spread to the rear) I deemed to difficult, but a valve to it was accessible and replacing that solved the problem at the rear.

https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=16766.0

[HertsHonda]

Awful smell from screen wash during recent hot weather.
flushed screen wash bottle with fresh water an refilled along with half a baby bottle sterilising tablet.
Under a fiver for a packet!

[Lord Voltermore]

Awful smell from screen wash during recent hot weather.
flushed screen wash bottle with fresh water an refilled along with half a baby bottle sterilising tablet.
Under a fiver for a packet!

If you are using just water in summer it can go stagnant, or even get aquatic growth. I once bought a used car where the washer fluid was like chicken soup, even to the extent of having green tendrils . Needless to say it blocked the washer bottle filter .

A weaker mix of normal  winter screen wash is better than nothing, but can become expensive. I recommend using a dedicated summer screen wash which sometimes contain extra ingredients to help clear squashed bugs. (not so much of a problem these days in the uk due to over use of pesticides)    . More expensive than just water. 

I use Kauflands own brand of 100:1 summer concentrate. I bought three small (250 ml)  bottles several years ago and still have two. They on;y cost about £2 each ! Choice of fruity aromas , or a more traditional blue 'screenwash' smell.  Unfortunatly Kaufland dont operate in the UK , but I did once ,but  only once,a few years ago  see the same stuff being sold in Lidl in the UK under their W5 branding.