Frozen Washer reservoir??

[tommyweaves]

I'm over here from the V70 forum but it's a common issue, just posted this FWIW:

Car serviced last week and I was charged for washer fluid but now the cold weather is here the washers froze just below zero!

Topped it up with neat additive but not much difference, so while it was unfrozen today I decided to empty the reservoir. Had to do it by squirting it all out through the jets as I didn't want to disturb any pipe connections and by the sounds of it that would be a painful job to do in the cold.

It didn't take long, despite the 4.5 litre capacity (if you have headlamp washers the tank capacity is something like 6 or 6.5 litres). I've re-filled it with neat additive so hopefully it won't freeze now.

Incidentally, the V70 thread generally dismisses the efficacy of heated nozzles; unless you've got heated pipes and reservoir as well it's kind of pointless!

[carlh]

Good point on the nozzles, let us know how you get on with neat stuff. Thx

[Gumball427]

Hi Carl,

Did you get it sorted in the end?

I've the same issue with my S60 at the moment.

I've checked fuses and all fine.

Headlamp washers work fine, but not the windscreen washers. Does anyone know if they operate from the same pump? I've noticed that there are seperate fuses, but not sure if they are for two pumps or not.

There is probably a weak mix in there at the moment because it had a service a couple of weeks ago and I doubt the dealer put a strong mix in, so that is probably not helping.

I had a 150 mile trip in the car today and that didn't thaw it out!

Also, is there an introductions section (I'm not after a date!) as I'm new around here, despite having this car for 18 months and two Volvos before.

Many thanks in advance

Sean

[carlh]

Hi, sorry forgot to follow up ... But yes, it seemed to be just a dilution thing. Trickle at first, one headlamp washer only, then all began working. It has now been ok (touch wood) so must have been weak dilution. I've been using 75% strength. I agree from my limited experience that long journeys do not warm it up it seems - so dilution must be the major factor.

[Gumball427]

Glad you got it sorted.

Was it just a case of waiting for a warmer day for thawing to take place?

Sean

[carlh]

Well I bought it and drove home in -3, it started working at about -1/0 degrees - so minor warmth!

[Gumball427]

Temperature has barely got above freezing, so no surprise it still appears to be frozen.

I think I've worked out that there are two seperate pumps (one for screen, one for headlamps). I can hear the headlamp one, as this is working fine, but can't hear the windscreen one.

Does anyone know if the pump won't run if it meets resistance (i.e. frozen pipes)?

I'm starting to wonder if the actual pump is dead or frozen solid.

I need to go to the dealer in the next few days as I have "Engine Service Required" and "BLIS Service Required" coming up as messages. It was only serviced a few weeks ago, so guess they forgot to reset the message for the service (assuming that is what the "Engine" message means??). However, I don't want to go to the dealer and look an idiot if it's only frozen pipes "because it's cold sir!" that is causing the washers not to work!!

Don't want to wait until spring either though!!

Sean

[Gumball427]

Well....

As way of an update...

Car is in to get the "Engine" and "BLIS" warnings sorted that came up and just had a call from the garage to say that the fault is with the washer pump as it is blocked - not covered under warranty and it's going to cost £91 to get it sorted!!!

Usually I'd do this myself, but it's too cold to be sorting this at present, and if I did it myself and the pump is faulty anyway it would then not be covered under warranty for a replacement as I would have then tampered with it.

I can accept the above, but what really winds me up is the guy from the dealers says it's my fault for putting something in there that has caused it to get blocked up and I must have put washing up liquid in it!!! They serviced it four weeks ago and if I've topped it up since (can't remember if I have or not!) it would only have been with water or a mild mix of screenwash.

Sorry, just needed to vent my frustration somewhere!!

Sean

[Choffit]

Originally Posted by Gumball427

Well....

As way of an update...

Car is in to get the "Engine" and "BLIS" warnings sorted that came up and just had a call from the garage to say that the fault is with the washer pump as it is blocked - not covered under warranty and it's going to cost £91 to get it sorted!!!

Usually I'd do this myself, but it's too cold to be sorting this at present, and if I did it myself and the pump is faulty anyway it would then not be covered under warranty for a replacement as I would have then tampered with it.

I can accept the above, but what really winds me up is the guy from the dealers says it's my fault for putting something in there that has caused it to get blocked up and I must have put washing up liquid in it!!! They serviced it four weeks ago and if I've topped it up since (can't remember if I have or not!) it would only have been with water or a mild mix of screenwash.

Sorry, just needed to vent my frustration somewhere!!

Sean

Is that a Volvo dealer? If so please name and shame. You haven't had it long I can't believe that A they are charging you and B they are suggesting its your fault!!!!!

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by Gumball427

Ibut what really winds me up is the guy from the dealers says it's my fault for putting something in there that has caused it to get blocked up and I must have put washing up liquid in it!!! They serviced it four weeks ago and if I've topped it up since (can't remember if I have or not!) it would only have been with water or a mild mix of screenwash.

Sean

Does washing up liquid cause pumps to fail, or blockages though? Anyone know why it perhaps shouldn't be used? Heard about the salt maybe being a bit of an issue?

I use proper screen wash in the Volvos, although must admit over the years I always used washing up liquid, and never had any issues. I also use washing up liquid when I do a rinse in the dishwasher, even though it suggests not to, although I figure the washing up liquid would prevent grease blockage on a cold wash.

Regards