Hi,

I have a problem with my rear washer/wiper. When i purchased the car, the cover that goes over the wiper arm was missing, so i got one off Ebay and fitted it. However, all it seems to do now is just trickle out onto the screen - not enough to wash it! I'm not 100% sure if i am still missing a part as there is a gap of about 5mm from the cover to the nozzle, is this normal? Anyone else had this problem?

The cover is just that, A cover, It shouldn't effect the operation of the washer system .

If the water is just dribbling out you'll need to check the connections in the pipework supplying the rear screen!

One on the N/S bulkhead

One behind the N/S/R seat

The last one is in the tailgate. This is the hardest to visually check, But if your boot floor is swimming in screen wash, Thats a bad sign!

The cover is just that, A cover, It shouldn't effect the operation of the washer system .

If the water is just dribbling out you'll need to check the connections in the pipework supplying the rear screen!

One on the N/S bulkhead

One behind the N/S/R seat

The last one is in the tailgate. This is the hardest to visually check, But if your boot floor is swimming in screen wash, Thats a bad sign!

Well when i say dribble thats probably not quite right.... it must serve some purpose - when the cover is not on it shoots out horizontally, but with the cover on it diverts the angle somewhat but not enough to reach the screen, which is why i was questioning whether there should be that 5mm gap - either i'm missing a part or it's fitted incorrectly?

*bump*

I have the same problem; when I remove the cover from the washer, the water jet shoots out horizontally (and lands about eight feet away, so no lack of pressure!). The "cover" is the only thing that makes the water hit the screen, but it only does so in a haphazard, messy fashion. Am I missing a part that should point the stream onto the screen in a jet?

Same problem here but I got my cover from skoda it's rather annoying considering how dirty the car gets

The cover seems to be one of those things that comes off pretty often (i'm on my 3rd now!).

As far as the washer itself goes here's a couple of things to check.

1. Fill the washer bottle and park on a dry bit of road then just use the rear washer for 1min plus and note if there are any wet marks under the car. The fact that its dribbling out of the back seems to show to me that none of the connectors have popped off.

2. Set the wiper moving, then have a look at it. The washer jet in the middle shouldn't move when the wiper does. Due to the great design of this particular part it often gets rusted into the wiper arm and starts to move with the wiper actually breaking the pipe halfway down. You'll notice this because all the water will just run out of the tailgate and leak out of the drain plug under the spare wheel. Luckly you can get a repair kit (its from a polo, someone will know the part number or a quick search on this site should get it for you). It involves removing the wiper motor and replacing a couple of the insides, its pretty easy if i'm honest. The repair kit costs less than £20 and includes everything you need.

The cover seems to be one of those things that comes off pretty often (i'm on my 3rd now!).

As far as the washer itself goes here's a couple of things to check.

1. Fill the washer bottle and park on a dry bit of road then just use the rear washer for 1min plus and note if there are any wet marks under the car. The fact that its dribbling out of the back seems to show to me that none of the connectors have popped off.

2. Set the wiper moving, then have a look at it. The washer jet in the middle shouldn't move when the wiper does. Due to the great design of this particular part it often gets rusted into the wiper arm and starts to move with the wiper actually breaking the pipe halfway down. You'll notice this because all the water will just run out of the tailgate and leak out of the drain plug under the spare wheel. Luckly you can get a repair kit (its from a polo, someone will know the part number or a quick search on this site should get it for you). It involves removing the wiper motor and replacing a couple of the insides, its pretty easy if i'm honest. The repair kit costs less than £20 and includes everything you need.

As far as my car goes (can't speak for the other poster), there's no break in the pipe as far as I can see. I'm familiar with the connectors popping off, had to re-attach the one at the bottom of the washer bottle (front near side wheel arch, torx bolts, fun...) this winter.

I don't think the washer jet moves. I may try to take a video on my phone and post it up, to show you all what it's doing; it may be very obvious that there's a bit missing or something...

OK, video! This describes better than I can what it does with cover off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PraSuw8f8w

and cover on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugHurhgnnwo

Edited 26 April, 201115 yr by tom_s252

Sorry to crash this post but Simonbt, I've the same problem and your post about the broken pipe proves correct, thanks!

To all with this problem, could be worth following this guide http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/10646-heres-why-some-peoples-rear-wash-wipe.html

Annoyingly, the kit I can find on eBay is £40, I'd much rather pay £20!

OK, video! This describes better than I can what it does with cover off...

Yes, you're missing a bit. There's a small plastic part that pushes into the end to direct the jet where you want it, no idea if its available on its own - i would recommend ringing a dealers.

(Image stolen from audi-sport.net)

Sorry to crash this post but Simonbt, I've the same problem and your post about the broken pipe proves correct, thanks!

To all with this problem, could be worth following this guide http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/10646-heres-why-some-peoples-rear-wash-wipe.html

Annoyingly, the kit I can find on eBay is £40, I'd much rather pay £20!

VW part 8L0998711. Includes everything you need to repair it! You might even be able to help out tom_s252 with your old jet (see above)