Washer nozzles
#1
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Washer nozzles
My 2001 LeSabre'* washer nozzles are in the wiper arms - NOT GOOD! This has been driving me nuts since I recently bought the car. They spray ok, but only the top half of the windshield ever gets any fluid, with the bottom half being mostly dry-wiped. I do not like this design.
I've decided to add new nozzles to either the cowl or the rear of the hood - I'd prefer to go with the cowl so I don't damage the factory paint.. even though I could seal it well enough to prevent it creeping.
Has anyone done a relocation like this to their vehicle? I'd like to hear some do'* and don'ts.
Seems straight forward enough. Everything up to the current nozzles is in place and working fine. I'm thinkin' all I have to do is find some cowl-mount nozzles from anycar, drill a couple holes, then clip'em in - maybe with some RTV for good measure. Heck, I haven't inspected my cowl grille yet.. their might even be some existing openings I can use.
Any thoughts..?
I've decided to add new nozzles to either the cowl or the rear of the hood - I'd prefer to go with the cowl so I don't damage the factory paint.. even though I could seal it well enough to prevent it creeping.
Has anyone done a relocation like this to their vehicle? I'd like to hear some do'* and don'ts.
Seems straight forward enough. Everything up to the current nozzles is in place and working fine. I'm thinkin' all I have to do is find some cowl-mount nozzles from anycar, drill a couple holes, then clip'em in - maybe with some RTV for good measure. Heck, I haven't inspected my cowl grille yet.. their might even be some existing openings I can use.
Any thoughts..?
#2
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You are trekking into uncharted territory. Take pics!
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2002 *-10 5.7 V8
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Mike (05-25-2015)
#4
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Ya those arm mounted nozzles also can get plugged up, and removing the hose, and running a sewing needle though nozzles, clears them out.
Another idea is to run the hose the length of the blade, attach via zip straps, and drill small holes in hose, facing towards windshield. This will really get a spray happening!
Another idea is to run the hose the length of the blade, attach via zip straps, and drill small holes in hose, facing towards windshield. This will really get a spray happening!
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1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
Last edited by Soft Ride; 05-25-2015 at 03:07 PM. Reason: nozzles
#5
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Ya those arm mounted nozzles also can get plugged up, and removing the hose, and running a sewing needle though nozzles, clears them out.
Another idea is to run the hose the length of the blade, attach via zip straps, and drill small holes in hose, facing towards windshield. This will really get a spray happening!
Another idea is to run the hose the length of the blade, attach via zip straps, and drill small holes in hose, facing towards windshield. This will really get a spray happening!
I found this Dorman wet arm nozzle kit on Amazon. I could tee the nozzles into the middle of the existing hose (which runs up the wiper arm), just about 6"-8" below the factory nozzle. This would spray the lower half of the windshioeld below the blade. The price is right.. if I order more stuff and get free shipping.
I'm not too worried about the cost of this project as long as it doesn't get over around $30 or so.
I could try this and if it doesn't work, go ahead with my original plan of relocating the nozzles into the cowl screen.
Last edited by John01; 05-25-2015 at 05:15 PM.
#7
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It may be a couple weeks before I get this done, as I'm building an order from Amazon to get the free shipping.
#8
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I actually took a close-up look at my washer system today. The reservoir is VERY buried inside the right front fender - all I can see is the refill cap and some tubing back by the cowl going to both arms.
I discovered there are actually two nozzles on each wiper arm, and for some reason the lower nozzles on both arms do not spray.. their hoses and connections are perfect. It all looks brand new.
So instead of rebuilding my washer nozzle system with a modified version, I'm going to try running some fine wire through both and see if that unclogs them. Does anyone know exactly what clogs these things? I'm guessing it'* mineral deposits from tap water - they get into everything. I wonder if a good soaking in CLR would do the trick.. If the reaming out don't work, I'll give good ol' CLR a shot at it.
Here'* some shots of my Pass side arm with the nozzles and hoses
I discovered there are actually two nozzles on each wiper arm, and for some reason the lower nozzles on both arms do not spray.. their hoses and connections are perfect. It all looks brand new.
So instead of rebuilding my washer nozzle system with a modified version, I'm going to try running some fine wire through both and see if that unclogs them. Does anyone know exactly what clogs these things? I'm guessing it'* mineral deposits from tap water - they get into everything. I wonder if a good soaking in CLR would do the trick.. If the reaming out don't work, I'll give good ol' CLR a shot at it.
Here'* some shots of my Pass side arm with the nozzles and hoses
#9
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I finally got around to fixing my washer nozzles today (the lower ones didn't spray). There'* a slot in the nozzle housing which slips onto a tab on the arm - it'* just this snug fit that holds it there. Like a 1/4" electrical spade connector.
I ran a small needle through the nozzle openings and that did nothing, so I pulled off the pass side lower nozzle and tried to get one of the new Dorman nozzles on there, but first I squirted the washers with the hose off the nozzle - it sprayed like crazy. Hmmm..
The Dorman nozzle was a loose fit on the arm but seemed like it would stay on because the hose kept it from sliding upwards and off the tab.. so I tried the washers - it sprayed ok but it'* direction was off a little, so only half got on the windshield and the rest shot up inside the arm and ran down to the cowl - no good. I took it off and replaced the original. Just for kicks, I squirted the washers again and.. BAM! the original nozzle squirted like it was brand new! How 'bout that!? I guess the nozzle itself wasn't clogged, just some debris in the hose which got flushed out earlier - cool!
So.. I took the hose off the driver'* side and it squirted great. I put the hose back on the original nozzle and now IT works great! Go figure.. Just some gunk in the hoses which got flushed when I tested them off the nozzles.
These Dorman nozzles were only half right - good for upper nozzles only
I ran a small needle through the nozzle openings and that did nothing, so I pulled off the pass side lower nozzle and tried to get one of the new Dorman nozzles on there, but first I squirted the washers with the hose off the nozzle - it sprayed like crazy. Hmmm..
The Dorman nozzle was a loose fit on the arm but seemed like it would stay on because the hose kept it from sliding upwards and off the tab.. so I tried the washers - it sprayed ok but it'* direction was off a little, so only half got on the windshield and the rest shot up inside the arm and ran down to the cowl - no good. I took it off and replaced the original. Just for kicks, I squirted the washers again and.. BAM! the original nozzle squirted like it was brand new! How 'bout that!? I guess the nozzle itself wasn't clogged, just some debris in the hose which got flushed out earlier - cool!
So.. I took the hose off the driver'* side and it squirted great. I put the hose back on the original nozzle and now IT works great! Go figure.. Just some gunk in the hoses which got flushed when I tested them off the nozzles.
These Dorman nozzles were only half right - good for upper nozzles only
#10
Senior Member
I am glad that you now have the nozzles working again.
I guess some tank contamination plugged the lines up! Good work!
Nice to have a clear windshield again!
I guess some tank contamination plugged the lines up! Good work!
Nice to have a clear windshield again!
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1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
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