I have an issue where the rear washer motor is working, but the water is non-existent. One minute it was fine and the next no water. I have read through the numerous posts about the potential locations for the pipe to have disconnected and was hoping someone who has experienced the problem can help me confirm the location before i pull the rear panel off.

Here are the facts:

Very cold weather

full water bottle

no rear wash water

healthy sounding motor

oh, and a very wet boot strap/handle and some sings of water on the rubber seal that the boot sits on.

I am assuming the problem is inside the boot?

Thanks

JD

the pipe that usually pops off is behind the cd changer and can be accessed by pulling the carpet back on that side and you shouldnt have to remove the cd changer to get to it iirc

I have an issue where the rear washer motor is working, but the water is non-existent. One minute it was fine and the next no water. I have read through the numerous posts about the potential locations for the pipe to have disconnected and was hoping someone who has experienced the problem can help me confirm the location before i pull the rear panel off.

Here are the facts:

Very cold weather

full water bottle

no rear wash water

healthy sounding motor

oh, and a very wet boot strap/handle and some sings of water on the rubber seal that the boot sits on.

I am assuming the problem is inside the boot?

Thanks

JD

Not had the problem myself, but i was under the impression that the norm was for a joint to pop near the cd changer, rather than in the boot lid itself, but it does sound as if yours may have parted company where the pipe joins the wiper....

EDIT: Bugger too slow.... I'll get there next time

oh, and a very wet boot strap/handle and some sings of water on the rubber seal that the boot sits on.

Theres your clue imo, it sounds like your problem is behind the rear panel where the motor is located, the pipe can pop off here from time too time. Whip the panel off, there is a part replacement pipe from the dealers, then swear a lot as you try and get panel back on:(

I think Fatty's right. Is this car a hatch or an estate though? It makes a difference as to which piece of trim you need to take off (heruge one at the bottom on a hatch, small one at the top on an estate).

As for replacing the hatch one, get someone to help you, even if all they can do is support some of the weight for you.

I have just been through all this, except last winter I cable tied the damn pipe to the other fitting hoping it would do the job.

Went to wash the window the other day, didnt work, popped off the silly boot cover, pipe still all fine, kept playing with the washer stalk, could hear running water, found out my cd changer in the boot was almost swimming.....

Undid the side carpet, found the pipe, reattached and lo and behold, as I pressed the button, it popped again.....

Seems it was a blockage in the external eyes where the water comes out, took off the little black clip on the wiper arm, hot water, bleach and bobs ur uncle

All ok now, except for a boot full of water.......

Thanks all.

KenONeill

It's the hatch, and on your advice and subject to availability i will rope in a suitable mate to assist with the task. I may have to leave the panel off for a few days, but i shouldn't think that will cause any issues.

sdwilliams72

One of the jets was not performaing correctly before it stopped completely, so i will take some warm water and soap/bleach to both jets before i close up the panel again (that's assuming i get it off)

I have yet to check if there is any leakage in the boot/ CD Changer area yet. Will have to turf out the usual junk and Golf Clubs tonight and have a look.

On the wiper arm, the pipe leads to a plastic unit which houses the washer eyes.

This will unclip, and easier to soak for a little while, you would be surprised what came out of it.......

oh, and a very wet boot strap/handle and some sings of water on the rubber seal that the boot sits on.

On the estate, when you close the boot, the fabic handle can fold over and end up between the boot metal work, going over the rubber seal. This when driving in wet/damp conditions, it can take on the spray from the road and wick it though, into the boot. I know, as I have done this on mine in the past.

I went home and removed the CD Changer and material behind it. No sign of any water round the CD Changer and i couldn't see any signs of a lose pipe either. The only pipe i saw was a blue one which seemed to run from the top of the wheel arch down and through the floor to the rear of the arch. Not sure if this is the washer pipe, but it was intact from what i could see.

The floor carpet was wet the entire length of it where it meets the body work at the rear of the car (welded seem).:( i had a quick look into the spare wheel (without removing it) and could not see any signs of excess water.

Pulled a couple of the catches off the plastic boot cover (at the lock) and stuck my hand in. There was definitely moisture when i felt around, but that was as far as i could get with the allocated time.

Will have to refrain from accidentally jetting any water into the boot from now until the weekend and get the carpet/ hardboard flooring dried out, something which is not so easy in this weather.

I suppose i should have noticed something was up a week ago, when the windows kept steaming up for no reason:O:O

sdwilliams72

Do you mean remove the hose, or remove the jets and plastic housing for washing?

JD

On the wiper arm itself, the pipe leads to a little black casing, which houses the jet eyes.

This housing clips on and off (little flat screwdriver used gently to prise open)

Just take it off and soak it for a while, and use a pin to help dislodge.

The pipe that has popped open, is probably the one literally behind the carpet just under the boot light

you can hook most of the carpet out from there to be able to see it

I have done this recently.

I can say that if your washer jets are not spraying out on both of them, then it may be to late to save them. If it was just poor flow then that may be fixed. The water corrods the pipes and eventually makes them none function. This then has a knock on effect to the pipe popping off inside the plastic panel attached to the wiper asm(also does this in freezing weather) so when you then try using it it pops off. Then the next stage is the wiper asm where the pipe fits starts to leak as the flow of water gets trapped. So it is worth fixing soon before you get all symptoms.

The replacement jets are only 6 quid and simple to fit. When you take the panel off it will also be very obvious where the pipe is and if it is connected. If you are getting water on the boot strap , then as stated this is almost a dead cert that the pipe has popped off at the wiper end. If near the CD changer is wet then this will be the link pipe failing.

I do have some pics I took somewhere if needed.

sdwilliams72

PM sent

Bowders

Pics would be useful if there not to difficult to get hold of.

Cheers

Sorry just checked PC pics are not good enough to show. If you are not getting round to the job soon, I can take some more.

Just had the boot cover off, and as expected the pipe was disconnected at the rear of the motor, no wonder my boot was wet:O

I also removed the jets and washed with warm water/soap as suggested. After some hoking about with a pin and some adjustments, both jets are working perfectly:thumbup:

Unfortunately as i was on my own, i have been unable to refit the cover:(

I just give up and threw it in the boot for now. I was thinking of putting some soap around the top catches at the window to make it fit easier (as they seem a bit tight). There is so little space it is impossible to see where the top clips go when fitting.

Has anyone else any shortcuts or suggestions how to refit it correctly?

Again, thanks for all your help.

Refitting on your own is a little tricky, as you need to carefully locate the rear plastic lugs (these break if pushed with a lot of force.

Best way to start is to remove the metal clips off the plastic cover (they tend to pull off with it) and refit them back onto the metal parts of the hatch, taking note of the correct way round(longest part facing upwards. You then need to offer the plastic cover up to the metal clips holding the cover level with the tailgate. This is where you could do with a helper as you also need to feed the grab handle through the slot in the plastic cover. Also you need to check that the plastic lugs are linning up with the metal clips. (not easy to see as they will be hidden when the cover up mated up) . The plastic lugs slot into the thin metal clip. When pushed up they should hold hold the weight of the cover. Give a tap to make sure they are fully home. Then offer up the latch side of the cover also locating the plastic plugs as you go. Job done.

Just remembered a "helpful hint" on this. I fed a length of string through the grab handle, and hence through the trim panel. It makes getting the grab handle through the trim much easier (I'd had several failed shots at aligning it before I did this!)

Bowders

All the metal clips were retained on the plastic cover. Didn't realise they weren't meant to be, maybe this will make things easier:O

Ken Oneill

Good simple logic (which i wouldn't have thought of) Cheers:thumbup:

The only pipe i saw was a blue one which seemed to run from the top of the wheel arch down and through the floor to the rear of the arch. Not sure if this is the washer pipe, but it was intact from what i could see.

There is one of those on both sides, and I am pretty sure that they are the rear drain pipes for the sunroof.