We've just taken delivery of a new 1.8TSi Elegance estate and are basically delighted with it.

There's one thing I've noticed though, which is that there's a moderately pronounced delay between pulling the stalk to get a wash/wipe and the screenwash being dispensed onto the screen - I would say it's about 1 to 1.5 seconds - notably longer than any other car I've had experience of.

Is this normal on the Octavia or are we missing a non-return valve in the washer system?

regards

P.

We've just taken delivery of a new 1.8TSi Elegance estate and are basically delighted with it.

There's one thing I've noticed though, which is that there's a moderately pronounced delay between pulling the stalk to get a wash/wipe and the screenwash being dispensed onto the screen - I would say it's about 1 to 1.5 seconds - notably longer than any other car I've had experience of.

Is this normal on the Octavia or are we missing a non-return valve in the washer system?

regards

P.

some time ago I have asked same question but received two three answers. I have checked on neighbors octavia and it is same! I have also checked with some othe dealers and I was explained it is by design. It is a bit irritating!

Mine is the same.

Pipes are very long I guess

No problem to me TBH

This happens on a few cars, my old pug 306 was a nightmare for it.

You buy an aftermarket one way valve that you splice into your washer pipework just after the pump (it's dead easy to do) for less than £10 delivered from ebay.

Hope it helps

EDIT: forgot to say, this works because it stops the fluid draining back into the reservoir, so as soon as you pull the stalk it starts spraying because the fluid's already at the nozzles

Edited 6 April, 201016 yr by Mute

Thanks for the replies. The fix is as suggested - all other cars I've worked on had one-way valves in the washer supply line and fitting one should resolve it.

Presumably the washer bottle and associated pipework is accessible with the OSF wheel-arch liner removed, judging from its position under the bonnet?

regards

P.

I thought it was because it washed the headlights first then your windscreen. I only really noticed the delay if the headlights were being washed, if they aren't then it seems pretty quick to me.

Strangely, the washers on my 06 vRS have always been instant, but the wife's Fabia has a noticeable delay as you describe. Perhaps more penny-pinching meant they've stopped fitting a valve on the Octavia.

Mine is the same i thought it could possible be by design to stop the washer pipes coming off in the cold weather??? as they used to on the mark1 octy?? not had mine long enough to know if it still does this on the mark2? failing that it could just be saving some more money!

Strangely, the washers on my 06 vRS have always been instant, but the wife's Fabia has a noticeable delay as you describe. Perhaps more penny-pinching meant they've stopped fitting a valve on the Octavia.

Guinness i took a look in the electronic parts catalogue and you're spot on. Here's the headlight part of the MY06 Octavia washer system, #3a is the non return valve.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vTNbetOPj8IeYd-DI0O82g?feat=directlink

I had a look in the diagram containing the windscreen washers, it doesn't label half the components, so i'm guessing but i think the non return valve is #28.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b9PMJy6We4xo8vZejZ76Yg?feat=directlink

Had a look for MY10, and there are no non return valves anywhere according to the EPC i used. It's a much simpler (yeah i agree with div -- cheaper!) system.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9qsQps_gA3X5LME0amy5_g?feat=directlink