Washer jets

[sebasteeno]

How crap are they on the 407?

Both mine and my bros old one freeze up at even the slightest hint of cold and thats with undiluted screenwash in too.

Anyone else have the problem?

[sterion75]

We had this problem with lorries and cars since forever seb. Tried methylated spirits in the bottle even antifreeze, seems unless you have heated systems there's no answer I've found. Antifreeze works a bit but makes a mess on the screen, try meths and see how it goes, you'll have to juggle the amount to use.

[Gibbo]

I never understood why they felt the need to move the water tank out of the engine bay and into the cold of the lower bumper / wheel arch where it will never get warm.

[jmkent]

Not had the problem myself, but maybe we haven't got so cold... only down to -7degC here a couple of days ago.... back up to 8degC today

[sterion75]

cynically; so you visit the stealers? They could heat the system as they do with lorry fuel pipes, the technology is there. With the importance of good vision its a sadly neglected area. You must have them working by law but how can you beat the cold?

[sterion75]

JM its al right for you guys in the tropics.

[Karl68s]

extend your tubing for the screen wash by about 6 foot, extend and wrap it around the nearest coolant hose. Secure with a bit of pipe insulation and a couple of cable ties.
That sorts out the problem with the screen wash tubes freezing.

For the jet washers themselves I've thought about getting a couple of heated ones from ford and having a go at fitting them and wiring up some way. At approx £7 each could be worth it.

Genuine Ford Heated mist type washer jets as found on the new 2011 Ford Focus - Focus RS Mk2 2009 - New Ford Parts Original Equipment - Pumaspeed Milltek Ford Performance Tuning Milltek Ford Fiesta Focus ST RS Parts Specialist

[sterion75]

Think we might have the answer seb, bit of retro washers heating. You might be on the way to a sticky Karl

[Karl68s]

I done this last year on an old Mazda when we was hitting -12 in Scotland.
Worked a treat antifreeze will stop your washer bottle freezing to some extend. Wrapping the tube gives heat along the pipe in both directions.
It doesn't take long to heat as there is not much water in the tube.

I first see this done on a lorry that used to travel all over Europe.

I will have to do the mod n get some pics done to make this a sticky got to improve my last one.

But then I'm not going out in the rain n Wednesday I'm down to Sittingbourne, kent till Sat so wont get done next weekend either.