mot fault

wlfc1

Hi

I have to take my car in for an MOT this week but have noticed that when I pull the washer/wiper no water is coming out on the front or rear, although the motor for the washer sounds as though it is worrking ?

does anyone have any suggestions as to what it might be ? and how to fix it ?

any help would be appreciated

wlfc1

Presumably the reservoir is full of water?

If so, it could be

a leak (fill the reservior upto the top, and set the pump off, see if there are any drips on the floor, or see if it goes down overnight)
crushed or blocked tubes coming from the reservoir
The connectors where the tube connects to the pump have come off. If it is in the engine bay it should be easy to find, but some are beneath the wheel arch covers and difficult to get at.
faulty pump (halfords sell them).


Albertross

Thanks

The reservior is full up and there doesn't appear to be any leaks. The trouble with the Zafira is that due to the location of the reserviour, it is impossible to gain access or find any connectors or pumps connected.

wlfc1

I can't see where the pump is, but obviously I can hear it

I am useless at this and I know a garage will rip me off because of lack of knowledge.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr

wlfc1

It will be attached to the bottom of the washer bottle, if it is under the wheelarch, then remove a couple of screws/bolts on the wheelarch lining, and have a peek, it's usually a black thing about the size of a throwaway lighter. Sometimes they put it on the inside of the bottle, against the engine bay, which makes it even more of a pig to get at.

If you brim the reservoir, and give the pump a good try, then any leaks or loose connectors should become apparent (water on the floor). It could also be an air lock..

Has this just stopped working, or not worked since the winter.

The washer bottle is thin and dissapears into the wheel arch, would the bolts/screws be on the underside or accessed from the top ?

I have filled it up and given it a good go to pump the water, I can't see any leaks (but it is dark now).

it stopped working about a couple of months ago (maybe a bit longer)

sorry to be a pain

wlfc1

Thanks for all your help, i'll try all your advice tomorrow

A woman with no mechanical knowledge at all- I know I am primed for being ripped off.

Once again thank you- I will at least try

re water level - I am not sure, but will check it tomorrow

chrisw

I've found the washer bottles sometimes fill up with slimy black gunk, particularly if they are usually filled only with tap water. This can often block the tubes or a small filter which may be fitted on the pump.

wlfc1

well changed the water pump, obviously disconneceted pipes from the pump when putting new pump on and still it doesn't work ????????/

zacspeed_2

I once had an old Vauxhall Carlton who's washer jets didn't work. In the end, I took the whole reservoir out & it was like gel in the bottom. This was apparently caused by using washing up liquid instead of screen wash. If you could get an old, straightened out coat hanger, insert it into to bottle & get someone to activate the washers from inside the car whilst you agitate the liquid, maybe that might free up any blockage (if that is the cause of the problem)?

wlfc1

Thanks everyone for your advice, with your help ive done it

Blockage in the reservoir !!!!