My front screen washer jets are suffering from droopiness every now and again and I wonder if anyone here has experience of the same thing (...droopy washer jets I mean, not any other droopiness.. )

Usually they're fine. They splash the washer fluid all over the windscreen like a 20 year old porn-star.

Then on other occasions the fluid "jet" is just a feeble dribble that barely reaches the bottom of the windscreen. If I leave it a while and try it again after half an hour or so, they hesitate/dribble momentarily before reverting suddenly back to full on "Mr Squirty".

I'm guessing the jets aren't blocked and the motor seems to be working... so I'm not sure where to look. One of the return valves possibly.. but anyone else experienced the occasional dribble and fixed it?

Ralf S.

one of my old Stilos have same prob..change washer motor..same prob, put old again clean system with air pressure and its fine. check nozzle and that small part which one separate hoses from one in two.

Best solution? Buy a pair of jets from the latest FIAT Bravo. They don't have nozzles that 'droop' and give a wide mist spray rather than discrete jets (or dribbles!). It's some time since I fitted mine - I think you need the tubing too.

Ralf S. said:

Usually they're fine. They splash the washer fluid all over the windscreen like a 20 year old porn-star.
Ralf S.

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What an analogy!

Surchr said:

What an analogy!

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Yes, I enjoyed the analogy too but it did make me wonder what type of videos are being watched... there are two jets... so that makes it gay

I found our Stilo was doing exactly that (occasionally a dribble, occasionally strong) before it stopped working altogether. I removed the pump and got it apart to find it badly corroded. Cleaned up the motor internals with Scotchbrite and packed its seals/bearings with silicone grease, and it's been working strong ever since.

-Alex

alexGS said:

Yes, I enjoyed the analogy too but it did make me wonder what type of videos are being watched... there are two jets... so that makes it gay

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The two jets split into 6 in total so it seems more like a bukkake situation, very disturbing... and with that I will never be able to clean the windscreen again without that image in my head

However my washer jets still resemble that of the 20 year old, I think they were replaced shortly before my purchasing of the car. Only downside is that I go through washer fluid quite quickly

Going on the symptom that it sprays further on the second try (that never happens?! ) - Need to also check for a buildup of slimey goo in the washer tank, but that should be evident when the pump is taken out.

-Alex

I'm inclined to think it's the non-return valve being possibly gunged up, since the symptoms are completely random and affect both front jets together (so the pipes and connections must be in the clear.

The pump might be randomly failing and whizzing round without doing anything... occasionally if I use the rear washer and then the front one.. the front one will work again.. but this could be coincidence. Otherwise it might hint at the pump.

I'll dismantle the pipework and clear out the valve first. The pump will be a wheel-arch liner off job so maybe one for a few weekend's time..


Ralf S.