Rear screen washer leak

[MiniNinjaRob]

So I fixed my washer, well I thought I did. Sat there pumping it through and nothing came out the rear nozzle.
Then I lifted the right hand boot floor panel to find all my lovely washer fluid filling the cubby hole and leaking out onto the floor.

Hmmm

I've tried to find out where the hoses are routed through the back of the car in the internet but with no luck. Obviously there is a split or blockage which has caused a pipe to be forced off somewhere.

But where? Where can I start looking?

[MiniNinjaRob]

I may have found the answer in another thread, looks like the check valve might be the problem......

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=234752

[Laird Scooby]

If you twist the rear washer jet off Rob and get a cup, some white vinegar, lemon juice or similar, add some to the cup with the jet then add some boiling water, you'll be amazed how much crud comes out of the jet, especially if you give the cup a shake. I've just done mine and was amazed, despite having recently (2 days ago) blown it through with compressed air.

As for your leak, if you pop off the trim at the back end of the headlining, i think you can see the hose for the rear washer jet if memory serves. Only 3 turn-buckle fastenrs, maybe 4 so won't take long to check.

[MiniNinjaRob]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

If you twist the rear washer jet off Rob and get a cup, some white vinegar, lemon juice or similar, add some to the cup with the jet then add some boiling water, you'll be amazed how much crud comes out of the jet, especially if you give the cup a shake. I've just done mine and was amazed, despite having recently (2 days ago) blown it through with compressed air.

As for your leak, if you pop off the trim at the back end of the headlining, i think you can see the hose for the rear washer jet if memory serves. Only 3 turn-buckle fastenrs, maybe 4 so won't take long to check.

The fluid isn’t getting as far as the jet (pulled off pipe that leads to it and no flow) but I will clean it out as you suggest as I remember it didn’t work brilliantly when it did flow.

[jpliddy]

mine got blocked but i have a small compressor with air gun i blew it through
from front under bonnet all clear now .give the filter on the water tank a good wash too i replaced the valve in rear boot .you need to get access up behind rear light cluster .but it was not the valve anyway alway make sure theres water in the washer tank too !

[bob12]

The whole rear jet assembly can be removed from the tailgate and taken apart for cleaning. There is a very sharp right angle bend just before the jet which clogs up. However this doesn't seem to be your problem? There are a couple of joints in the pipe that flows from/down the front o/s sill area and guess your floor is getting flooded via one of those. Bob

[MiniNinjaRob]

Originally Posted by jpliddy

mine got blocked but i have a small compressor with air gun i blew it through
from front under bonnet all clear now .give the filter on the water tank a good wash too i replaced the valve in rear boot .you need to get access up behind rear light cluster .but it was not the valve anyway alway make sure theres water in the washer tank too !

Oh there’s water in there all right! Well in my boot now anyway. 😂

[AllHailKingVolvo]

This is very interesting...I've recently found my 945 rear washer nozzle also doesn't work, although when I press the "fire" button I hear the pump spin up, followed by a gurgle and washer fluid trickling into the driver's side footwell!

Is the pipe routed under the dash before it disappears off into the sills?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by AllHailKingVolvo

This is very interesting...I've recently found my 945 rear washer nozzle also doesn't work, although when I press the "fire" button I hear the pump spin up, followed by a gurgle and washer fluid trickling into the driver's side footwell!

Is the pipe routed under the dash before it disappears off into the sills?

Good question Phil - i'm not sure. What i know is it comes from the washer pump and runs along the drivers side inner wing to the bulkhead then reappears at the tailgate - the bit in between is a mystery to me.

Annoyingly after blowing through with compressed air, my rear washer worked ok for a few times then suddenly reduced to a trickle again. Leave it a while and it sort of works for one or two squirts then reverts to a trickle again. Seems i have more than one blockage but thankfully (at least so far) no leaks.

[MiniNinjaRob]

All sorted! I pulled off the D pillar plastic cover, which enabled me to pull the carpeted panel off which houses the tool kit. In the corner near the light there was a hose connector which I assume was a one way valve too. It was covered in a sticky black goo which was either a way to secure it to the body work or a previous bodge to stop a leak, who knows?

Anyway when I operated the washer motor fluid spurred out of the valve. Cut it off and replaced with a £1.80 valve from local Halfords - cheaper than eBay- and the rear washer works better than it ever has done - it actually does something now and quite well!