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We have a 13 yr old Mazda 3 and just recently I noticed that one of the headlamp washers isn't working properly - the unit rises up from the bumper and water squirts out but only at a trickle (the other side is working fine). I assume this means that the nozzles are blocked up (the main ones on the car were which is what alerted me to the issue). However I can't get to these nozzles because they go back into the unit once they have finished their squirting!
The only thing I can think of is putting something in the water bottle to try to dissolve whatever it is blocking the nozzles but a Google didn't throw up any results.
Anyone have any top tips/ideas?
My Audi has retractable washers on the headlights, what I do is get someone in the car to squirt the washers then grab the nozzle and put some mole grips behind to nozzle to stop it retracting... then clean em’ whilst they’re out in the open.
Mine are water pressure eject types, you might want to check yours to see if they’re water or motor before playing around with them..
Also, cleaning them is a pain. Don’t be tempted to stick needles down the holes, the holes are quite small and you’ll probably ruin the jet. I had to replace my left one becuse it was blocked, so I replaced both at the same time ... £84 the pair 🤣
Yeah not entirely sure about grabbing one when it is sticking out - I am not convinced that won't break it or stop it from retracting properly.
Send it to the guy with the broken Bosch Classixxxxx washing machine. He sounds like the sort of bloke who'll get it sorted sharpish.
Try finding the pipe on the engine bay side of the washer and blasting some air through it (with a compressor if you have one)
Also, don't mix your screenwash types - you can end up with a gluey mess which blocks your pipes 🙁
you need a can of compressed air, with a small nozzel on it. Screwfix or similar should sell them.
@bikebuoy.
You were taken to the cleaners.
Should have gone here https://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/windscreen-washer-double-jet-iva-ok-black
They list 5 different types. I'm sure one of these would have done the job.
Anyway, back to the OP.
As suggested, either an air compressor or a can of compressed air. (Used for cleaning computers etc).
Blast of air up the rubber hose.
Also, then have a look into the washer fluid tank. It might be a bit gunky in the bottom. Wash out with bleach. (Mind your paintwork though).
I don't know what retracts them but pulling out the fuse while they're out might stop them.
#genuineparts
Also, cleaning them is a pain. Don’t be tempted to stick needles down the holes, the holes are quite small and you’ll probably ruin the jet.
I worked with a bloke who always stuck an air line on them, It often worked but loads of times the little ball got blown out; it was usually the expensive ones he had sent the little ball flying across the garage.
If it's the jet that blocked I always cleaned them with a welding jet cleaner, not much different to stuffing a pin down them really;-)
If they have something growing in the tube, try blowing down the jet and hopefully the blockage gets blown out of the tube, if that fails take the tube off and blow it clear.
You won't break them by grabbing them. You could always try a bank card or small plastic trim tool to gently prise them out. I use a small piece of wire to clean out the jet holes and have never had a problem. If you have a wire brush just cut a single wire off the brush with some side cutters and use that. They normally pop up from the water pressure not an electronic system etc.
I don’t know what retracts them but pulling out the fuse while they’re out might stop them.
Yeah that might work (or simply switching the ignition off I guess). Might try that this weekend.
It won't be electrically controlled to come out the bumper. It will work off the water pressure. Grab it when it pops up or gently prise it out the bumper
blowing compressed air back down the tube (i.e. from the nozzle) might be better/easier
It won’t be electrically controlled to come out the bumper. It will work off the water pressure.
They stopped working when the fuse blew - why would that be then? They rise up, then squirt, then squirt a second time before retracting. Are you suggesting this is all operated by the power of a water pump? (At the moment they both operate correctly, it's just the water pressure on one that is very low).
I had trouble with my old Disco washers.
If I poked in the end & got what was blocking it away it would work until it found its way back to the orifice again.
If you can get to the delivery tube, suck back with a syringe (or your mouth like I did) to actually remove said blocker.
Depending on how sophisticated the mechanisms are, you might need to do this as you press the "Squirt" button to get the washer up & open.
Good luck!
Do you own a compressor and a blow gun? Persuade the washer to pop up and grab hold of it, disconnect the feed pipe off the bottom, hold the blow gun against the nozzle(s) and blast some air back through it.
Tried Mazda Forums?
Looks like it’s a common problem.
http://www.mazda3forums.co.uk/index.php?topic=1037.0
From what I’ve just read, there is confusion between washer bottle pump pressure to activate them, and a motor..
My rear washer was blocked on the new to me Volvo. I made an adaptor for the air duster can, pushed it onto the washer tube & blew the blockage out.