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Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 1:15 pm
by gkasus
No washer jets were not working yesterday for all the time when the outside temp was about -3 to -4 degree C. I started the journey around 9 am and there was no water jets until 5ish in the afternoon.

With the snow banging onto the windscreen, the windscreen soon got smeared by the snow, thus making visibility thru the windscreen pretty bad. Towards about 5ish in the afternoon when the temp raises to about -0.5 to -1 degree C, I suddenly got the washer jets (both left and right) coming through eventually. But then it stopped intermittent, with only the left side washer jets coming on sometimes, none from the right side.

My washer fluid is the Porsche brand (green in colour when undiluted), got it during my last service. Would it be the washer jet pump freezes up every now and then or the nozzles got blocked/frozen ?

I read in the online imanual that the nozzles are heated when ignition is on.

Anyone experiences similar issue ?

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:05 pm
by Nuclear Nick
There's been quite a bit on this already. Most likely it's the washer fluid in the pipes freezing as it is a small volume and they are not heated. It also explains why they thaw with heat from the engine. The nozzles are heated but that's no good if the fluid can't get there and that is the reason the fluid needs to be a winter mix. Also, if the reservoir and pump freeze then using the washers can wreck the pump.

When was your last service? If in the summer the OPC may not have added the anti freeze required for winter use.

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:12 pm
by gkasus
My last service was end of Sep 2017. Not sure if anti-freeze was added. I'll be bring my car in next week for other things and will ask about it.

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:42 pm
by Guy
gkasus wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 1:15 pm My washer fluid is the Porsche brand (green in colour when undiluted), got it during my last service.
The Porsche branded 'Winter Concentrate' is clear, and good for about -45°C if undiluted!

I use it at about a 50:50 mix which I think is good for about -20°C.

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:56 pm
by Paul
I use VW branded pre-mix in 5 litre containers all year round. Its good to -20, cleans beatifully, smells nice and doesn’t have any limescale in it like our taps do! Costs similar to halfords various berries and does the same job.

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:06 pm
by gkasus
Guy wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:42 pm
gkasus wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 1:15 pm My washer fluid is the Porsche brand (green in colour when undiluted), got it during my last service.
The Porsche branded 'Winter Concentrate' is clear, and good for about -45°C if undiluted!

I use it at about a 50:50 mix which I think is good for about -20°C.
It looks like my issue with the washer jet/nozzle must be caused by using the the non-winter fluid.

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 4:10 pm
by Wing Commander
Paul wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:56 pm I use VW branded pre-mix in 5 litre containers all year round. Its good to -20, cleans beatifully, smells nice and doesn’t have any limescale in it like our taps do! Costs similar to halfords various berries and does the same job.
Where would one buy this from, Paul? A VW dealership? Or can it be bought online?

Cheers,

Simon

Re: Windscreen Washer Jet Nozzle Blocked/Frozen

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:40 pm
by Paul
I get mine from a dealership but TPS (VW trade centres) also stock it


I think you can also get it online....

https://tps.trade/screenwash-de-icer/qu ... eenwash-5l


Funnily enough “only” good to minus 8 but I had no issues whatsoever this last week...