How to replace windshield washer nozzles

The driver's visibility while driving should be as good as possible, both from the side and from the front. In Russia, for several years now, there has been a law obliging drivers to remove window tinting in order to ensure maximum visibility for other road users.

The driver is obliged to wash the windshield of the car in a timely manner, and driving a car without washers is not allowed, especially in bad weather.

There should be no problems with the windshield cleaning system, and if there is an interruption in the supply of washer fluid, be sure to fix the problem as soon as possible.

The situation in this case can develop in two scenarios - the driver will have to clean the washer nozzle or replace it. Some drivers repair such a part, but this is not profitable due to the low cost.

Cleaning the washer nozzle if the nozzle is clogged

• Using compressed air. In the field of repair and maintenance of computer equipment, compressed air cylinders are often used, which are sold complete with nozzles of different thicknesses and lengths. To clean the washer nozzles, purchase and use a can of compressed air. To do this, install a nozzle of minimum thickness, press it firmly against the clogged nozzle and apply several short (2-3 seconds) pressure on the nozzle. If you can hear the gurgling of water in the sprayer barrel, you can stop the cleaning procedure - the nozzle is clean.
• Using improvised means. The second method of cleaning the washer nozzle can be considered budgetary. To clear a clogged injector, if the problem is in the injector, just take a thin needle, wire, pin or guitar string. Begin to gently clean the inside of the nozzle using the accessory of your choice. This method helps much less often than the option with liquid air, since it will be difficult to remove “inconveniently” stuck elements of contaminants.

How to clean windshield washer nozzles

In order to maintain good visibility in the car in inclement weather, windshield wipers alone are not enough. To wash away dirt that flies from under the wheels of other vehicles, sprayers or washers are provided in the design. From them, liquid is supplied to the glass, and the brush can quickly remove dirt from the surface. However, even such equipment requires maintenance. Over time, the windshield washer nozzles begin to become clogged, which leads to a reduction in the volume of water supplied to the glass. The issue can be solved in two ways - clean the washer nozzles or replace faulty parts.

When the driver presses a button or lever, an electric pump is activated. It pumps water through thin tubes directly to the nozzles. The latter are responsible for spraying water onto the glass surface

Every car enthusiast who drives the same car for a long time faces a problem - the nozzle stops supplying washer fluid or splashes past the glass. There may be several reasons for this phenomenon - from the lack of water in the system to severe clogging of the supply tube. To accurately separate injector malfunctions from other problems, you should understand the design of this device. The washer system includes the following elements: 1) a plastic tank with water; 2) electric pump; 3) connecting tubes; 4) nozzles that are installed in front of the windshield.

Sprayers can be presented in different types - with one or two holes. When the driver presses a button or lever, an electric pump is activated, which pumps water through thin tubes directly to the nozzles. The latter are responsible for spraying water onto the surface of the glass. If necessary, the direction of the jet can be adjusted by turning the plastic tips.

If the windshield washer stops working one day, the first thing that comes to mind is to clean the nozzles yourself. The measure is justified if the blockage is visible without disassembling the element. To remove debris or plaque, you can use a needle or pin. Often, refusal to work can be associated with other reasons: 1) malfunction of the electric pump; 2) clogged pipes; 3) lack of liquid in the system; 4) nozzle failure.

If the problem is clogged jets, you can clean them yourself. To do this, you can use a needle or pin.

Before you start cleaning the jets, you need to open the hood and check the washer fluid level. In practice, anything can happen - the tank is pierced, a crack appears, or the pipes are damaged. If the motor does not hum when you press the lever, you can try replacing the fuse. If the result is negative, after replacement the pump itself should be removed and repaired.

If the problem is still clogged jets, you can clean them yourself. To do this, you can use a needle or pin. You need to insert the end of the needle into the hole and push it all the way, then pull it out and check the functionality of the element. If the dirt plug was close to the outlet, a stream of water will throw it out. There are some rules you need to know during the cleaning process. When using thick needles and pins, there is a risk of damaging the calibrated hole. As a result, the nozzle will begin to spray with a curved stream. Do not push the element too deeply, as the needle may get stuck or break at any time. When cleaning, do not move the needle in different directions. The position of the plastic spray nozzle may become disturbed. If after such cleaning there is no result, you can try rinsing the nozzles with a 20 ml syringe, which is equipped with a thin needle. The procedure is simple: prepare a soap solution, disconnect the tube from the sprayer, insert a needle into the nozzle and sharply squeeze out the cleaning solution.

If you can’t clean the injectors, you need to buy a replacement part.

Washing with removal . In advanced cases, the atomizer may not be cleaned using simple methods. Then there is only one option - remove the device and wash it. If unsuccessful, you should purchase new injectors. On many modern cars, the sprayer is held on the holes due to plastic clips. Dismantling must be carried out in the prescribed manner. The first thing you need to do is find a flathead screwdriver. To remove the nozzle, you need to pry it with a screwdriver on the bottom plane and pull it up. The element must be pulled out together with the pipe. At the last stage, the tube is disconnected. This completes the dismantling. All that remains is to immerse the removed element in a soapy solution for a day. After this, you need to blow out the nozzle with a pump and put the nozzle in place.

Bottom line . Windshield washer nozzles tend to become dirty after a certain time. You can carry out the cleaning yourself - with or without disassembling the element.

Cleaning the washer nozzle if the tube is clogged

Before clearing any accumulated debris from the sprinkler pipe, locate the end of the spray pipe that fits into the nozzle. To do this, lift the engine hood and find the place where the tube connects to the injector. Unplug it, in most cases a screwdriver and pliers will suffice, and then you can start cleaning.

There are two correct ways to clean washer transfer tubes:

• Using compressed air. As with the nozzle cleaning option, compressed air in a can works great for cleaning the tube. The cleaning process is simple: select the nozzle on the cylinder to match the diameter of the pipe, it is pressed as much as possible to the end of the pipe, and then the supplied air stream. When air flows without problems, we can conclude that the washer tube is clean.
• Self-purge of pipes. Before you start blowing out the tube, be sure to wash it thoroughly in soapy water several times. Then press your lips to the end of the tube, squeeze them as hard as possible and blow a stream of air into the tube. This method, although simple and obvious, is effective and cheap.

It is recommended that after cleaning the washer nozzle, remove the washer reservoir and completely replace the fluid contained in it, after thoroughly rinsing it several times. The reason for frequent clogging of washer nozzles in most cases is the accumulation of dirt in the washer reservoir.

Selecting a windshield washer nozzle

Windshield washer nozzles can be replaced for two reasons: they have failed and it was impossible to repair them, or the driver wants to install a more modern model of the device on his car. Often, budget car models are equipped with one-way washer nozzles, and drivers decide to replace them with an option with a fan.

Replacing the washer jets with a fan-powered model has another major benefit. Water spreads over the glass in several streams, covering a large area at a time, due to which the wipers begin to work on a wet surface, damaging and scratching the glass less.

Having clean washer fluid on all surfaces of the windshield allows for more thorough removal of washer fluid from the surfaces. Washer nozzles also reduce fluid consumption.

Fan washer nozzles have one significant drawback. In the cold season, there is a much greater risk of the injectors of such injectors freezing. Therefore, it is recommended to choose those accessory models that have a heating function.

Replacing the washer nozzle

The process of replacing a washer nozzle is different for each vehicle, but consists of several general steps. To replace an accessory, first remove it and then attach it to the new model. The washer nozzle can be removed from the vehicle as follows:

• Open the engine hood and partially remove its trim elements, if any, at the location of the washer nozzle;
• Then disconnect the hose from the washer nozzle;
• Then remove the injectors. They can be attached to cars in a variety of ways, but the most popular models are those that attach with screws or plastic clips.

After removing the washer nozzles from the vehicle, you need to install a new model. To do this, work in reverse, but note that in some situations it makes more sense to first attach the washer tube to the nozzle and then install it.

Note. If the washer nozzle kit you purchased is not the right height and wobbles even after installation, you can use electrical tape to seal the joint.

Cleaning methods

Now about how to clean the windshield washer nozzles. There are many methods that were invented by folk craftsmen. They are effective and easy to implement.

I'll tell you several methods. And you decide for yourself which path to take.

1. Application of a compressor. It is considered the most useful and fastest cleaning method. But you will definitely need the compressor itself. It’s not worth buying it just to clean the device. The compressor hose is connected to the nozzle nozzle and the air supply is turned on. Literally 30 seconds is enough to blow out all the dirt.
2. An ordinary medical syringe. It is inferior in efficiency to a compressor, but consumables and tools cost pennies. Water with a small amount of citric acid is poured into the syringe. All hoses from the nozzle are disconnected. It is better to read in advance in the operating manual of your car how to remove the sprayer on it. A special feature of the method is that the syringe is inserted where the water comes out and does not enter. That is, on the back side of the nozzle. This will make washing more effective.
3. A simple pin. Some people believe that you should not use pins and needles, since they can damage the glass washer spray. Well I do not know. I have used this technique many times and have had no problems. The main thing here is to be careful. Please note that pins only remove minor dirt. This is a kind of road method when you don’t have a compressor or at least a syringe with citric acid at hand. A pin or needle is inserted into the nozzle and the dirt is carefully picked out. Only those contaminants that have accumulated near the nozzle are cleaned. There's no point in going deeper.
4. Detergent and cleaning agent. The method is effective, but will require quite a lot of time when compared with other methods. Remove the nozzle and place it in a container with water and cleaning agent. Sometimes it is enough to hold the sprayer there for a few minutes. But after that you still have to wash it. With a syringe or a compressor, decide for yourself.

As you can see, there are no particular problems with cleaning windshield washer nozzles. The procedure is simple, regardless of the method you choose.

Keep in mind that cleaning is not a panacea. In some cases, the injectors may wear out and permanently fail. Then the only way out will be to completely replace them. Well, at least they cost a little.

Instructions for replacing windshield washer nozzles, cleaning them and selecting them

The driver's visibility when the vehicle is moving should be as high as possible, both to the sides and forward. In Russia, for several years now, there has been a law obliging drivers to remove window tinting in order to ensure maximum visibility for other road users.

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle's windshield is cleaned in a timely manner, and it is prohibited to drive a vehicle with no washers, especially in bad weather. There should be no problems with the windshield cleaning system, and if there is an interruption in the supply of washer fluid, be sure to fix the problem as soon as possible.

The situation in this case can develop in two scenarios - the driver will have to clean the washer nozzle or replace it. Some drivers repair such a part, but this is impractical given its low cost.

Cleaning and adjusting fan washer nozzles: what and how?

To more effectively clean the windshield, almost all motorists install more modern fan nozzles. And although they are undeniable leaders in the list of advantages, they are not without certain disadvantages. These elements tend to clog periodically, and sometimes they may require adjustment. But fortunately, all these procedures can be performed independently. This work does not require much effort and time. But at the same time, there are certain nuances in these processes that you definitely need to know before performing work.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fan nozzles?

The fan nozzle is a worthy alternative to the standard options. They have many advantages. They ensure uniform distribution of washer fluid. That is, when water is supplied, it falls on the surface of the windshield in a dense layer of small droplets. By installing fan nozzles, the efficiency of the wiper blades also increases. And this happens because the wipers move over a wet surface. Fans do an excellent job of removing insects and solid dirt. The number of scratches during glass washing is significantly reduced and at the same time there is a drop in washer fluid consumption. The latter, although not typical of all cars, is still observed on most of them. At the same time, fan nozzles also have characteristic disadvantages. Due to the design features, such a nozzle is practically not protected from negative temperatures. That's why they often get frostbitten. In addition, their advantage in the form of covering a large area with water sometimes turns into a disadvantage. Since the surface of the entire glass is covered with small drops, the driver will have difficulty seeing the road until the windshield wiper passes over it. And this directly affects driving safety.

How to clean the injectors yourself?

You can clean the injectors yourself, and quite easily. There are several methods for this. All of them differ from each other only in the tools used. Depending on them, you can clean the injectors with a compressor, a syringe, or a pin and fishing line. The simplest method, according to many motorists, is the cleaning method with a syringe. You need to fill the syringe with liquid and start injecting it into the nozzle. This is done through the nozzle in the opposite direction. The hoses must be disconnected in advance so that the water for cleaning can come out along with all contaminants from that side. You need to be very careful when using household chemicals that are too aggressive, as they can not only clean the nozzle, but also damage it. Therefore, many advise choosing citric acid, which perfectly removes contaminants without harming the nozzle.

More information about cleaning fan nozzles will be discussed in this video:

How to clean windshield washer nozzles

Let's imagine a little and imagine this situation: here we are driving along the road, it's early spring, everything is dirty and we need to wash the windows not only with wipers, but also with liquid. And then suddenly it stops spraying from one or two nozzles at the same time. The movement cannot continue - the visibility is terrible.

What to do in this situation? There is only one way out - try to fix the problem yourself. After reading this article, you will learn how to clean windshield washer nozzles.

Tools you'll need

• Compressed air cylinder;
• Small screwdriver;
• Pliers or pliers (sharp ends only);
• Windshield washer fluid.

Useful tips

• The compressed air cylinder comes with a long hose. It is thin and perfectly matches the diameter of the spray nozzles, making it very easy to blow through.

Warnings

• Carefully read the can body in what position it should be held. If you neglect this rule, the jar simply will not work.
• If you overdo it and blow out the nozzle with too much air pressure, the tube leading to the nozzle may become detached. It's easy to put it back on: open the hood, remove the sound insulation, find the tube and put it back. If you have difficulty, look at what the tube looks like on a different attachment and you'll know what to do right away.