Window washers - rubbish performance

[Tony500]

My jets for the windscreen washers are directed towards the bottom of my windscreen, tried to adjust them but they don’t look adjustable?

Also what is the easiest option to disable the headlight washers? They are a waste of fluid

[Billggski]

I use a pin in the nozzle to re-direct the jet by moving it about.

[I-S]

Originally Posted by Tony500

Also what is the easiest option to disable the headlight washers? They are a waste of fluid

MOT fail: (SECTION 1.7.2) A HEADLAMP LAMP LEVELING OR CLEANING DEVICE INOPERATIVE OR OTHERWISE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE

[Tony500]

I’ve tried the pin and it does not move at all, it’s not even the ball end jet that is commonly used.... just a plastic hole. Not sure if mine have been changed before?


And for mot.... as I’ve been put right a few times by a few mot testers you only need self levelling and washer jets if you have exenons/ hid lights and not the halogen lights. Not required if you have halogens that I have.

[Tatsfield]

I believe, but don't know for sure, that the screen washer jets on my 2012 XC70 are electrically heated, so changing them for a different spray pattern would seem to be more difficult than if they were not. On a previous car which was the top flagship model in the Peugeot range and had similar "ball" swivel jets, I changed them for a set of plastic aerosol jets from the model at the bottom of the Citroen range and the improvement was astounding. The aerosol jets covered the whole screen instantaneously when operated and never needed to be adjusted once the seating of them was fixed. They were so cheap that I never bothered to clean them if blocked but just fitted a new set! If only I could do that with the XC70!

[tommyweaves]

I'd take them out and give them a good soak in strong vinegar or something acidic to break down deposits in the spray head. The spray pattern on my 7 year old V70 has dropped a bit from new and I expect this is due to deposits in the spray head. Worth trying it before messing about replacing them. Give the pipes a blow through while you're at it.

I think you're right on the MOT issue with headlamp washers. Assuming the headlamp washers come on at the same time as the windscreen washers, using the same pump, can you not just clamp the pipes shut? And in the process increase the pressure to your windscreen washers?

Incidentally, don't go sticking pins or anything in your washer jet outlets unless you're sure they're the swivel type. It messes with the spray pattern if you even slightly damage the plastic of a fixed spray outlet.

[MikeBJ]

Pull the fuse for the headlight washers. Job done. Replace before MoT if it bothers you.

As for the w/screen jets, my 2011 has the simple jets which are adjustable as noted. Sounds like you have fan jets. Replacement may be the simplest option - this is certainly what I did with mine which were nicely clogged and no amount of backflushing or fettling with a pin helped.

If you're in a hard water area, they'll likely be clogged with calcium deposits. Add a cup of vinegar to the wash tank every now and then, that'll help.

You may also have debris and / or calcium buildup in the tank too - pull the jets off and operate the pump to clear the bottle. Put some vinegar in first, and leave it overnight before purging the tank.

[NAD]

My car was just in at the main dealers and I asked them to look at the washer jets, because the jets are weak, like yours sound to be. They recommended replacing the washer jet valves.

[pierremcalpine]

There are two variants of washer jets available:
1) non-adjustable scatter pattern jets
2) traditional adjustable non-scatter jets.

I had #1 and found that they aim was too low and bought #2's from dealership. All good now.

[Tony500]

Originally Posted by pierremcalpine

There are two variants of washer jets available:
1) non-adjustable scatter pattern jets
2) traditional adjustable non-scatter jets.

I had #1 and found that they aim was too low and bought #2's from dealership. All good now.

How much were number 2 if you don’t mind me asking? Mine sound like no1 and don’t spray up 1/4 of the screen. Someone did say £45 for the ones I have that are heated though 😣