Manually open headlight washers?

[bornmiddleaged]

MY2019 V60
I have seen previous threads about the wiper blades and headlight washers getting blocked and/or leaving white specks on the windows and/or bonnet.

I am having the latter issue - every time the headlight washers operate, the bonnet gets liberally sprayed with white flecks.
I assume these are bits of limescale as we live in a hard water area but I suppose they may also be salt deposits or something else entirely.
I don't know what the previous owner used in the screenwash reservoir but I picked up a bottle of OEM stuff from the dealer and have put that in neat in the hope it would flush out the "gunk" but several months on, I'm still getting white flakes.

On to the actual question, is there any way to manually open the headlight washers so I can see if they can be cleaned/flushed?

Or anyone else have a better solution to this?

[Fursty Ferret]

I think they're spring-loaded so I imagine they'd just pull out if you can get a grip on the edges.

The dealer screenwash gives me white powder so I just use a generic own-brand instead.

[Tresco85]

I have given up using Volvo screen wash and now use Halfords and haven’t had the problem again. Can’t help you with the headlight washers as ours hasn’t got them and not sure why as it’s an inscription pro.

[Tresco85]

Originally Posted by Tresco85

I have given up using Volvo screen wash and now use Halfords and haven’t had the problem again. Can’t help you with the headlight washers as ours hasn’t got them and not sure why as it’s an inscription pro.

Cancel that message about the white spots as my wife has just said the back window has got white spots on again.

[bornmiddleaged]

Originally Posted by Fursty Ferret

I think they're spring-loaded so I imagine they'd just pull out if you can get a grip on the edges.

The dealer screenwash gives me white powder so I just use a generic own-brand instead.

OK, I'll find where I put the trim extraction tools then, as I imagine anything metal would mangle the plastic quite easily.

Interesting that the Volvo stuff gives you white powder. Maybe I should just go back to the Prestone stuff that we get from Costco, never had any issues with that in the Superb or my wife's Golf.

[bornmiddleaged]

Originally Posted by Tresco85

Cancel that message about the white spots as my wife has just said the back window has got white spots on again.

Hmm, I'm not sure if the back wiper has the same issue, I can't remember the last time I used the skoosher (technical term) on there. Must try it...

[daverey]

Originally Posted by bornmiddleaged

OK, I'll find where I put the trim extraction tools then, as I imagine anything metal would mangle the plastic quite easily.

Interesting that the Volvo stuff gives you white powder. Maybe I should just go back to the Prestone stuff that we get from Costco, never had any issues with that in the Superb or my wife's Golf.

you can get the front light washer covers to pop out just using your fingers (if you're careful) - no tools required. If I recall they are spring loaded to retract, but you can gently extract them if you want by hand

[Carabind]

Originally Posted by daverey

you can get the front light washer covers to pop out just using your fingers (if you're careful) - no tools required. If I recall they are spring loaded to retract, but you can gently extract them if you want by hand

Or get a mate to sit in and operate them whilst you are near the jets. When The washer flap opens, hold it open to have a good look see.

[bornmiddleaged]

Originally Posted by Carabind

Or get a mate to sit in and operate them whilst you are near the jets. When The washer flap opens, hold it open to have a good look see.

Yeah, I asked my wife if she wanted to try and grab one while I sprayed; she didn't seem all that keen, something about being sprayed in the face.

[skippyfox]

Originally Posted by bornmiddleaged

Yeah, I asked my wife if she wanted to try and grab one while I sprayed; she didn't seem all that keen, something about being sprayed in the face.

Got my other half to do that awhile back, not impressed.. Guess I under estimated the power of the jets. Anyway the nurse was very nice when I woke up in A+E..