Having "enjoyed" the patchy performance of the existing setup (fed from the main washer) I'd like to improve my rear wash/wipe by ading in a rear wash bottle & pump.

So far the project seems to involve:

1) find a wash bottle / pump that will fit into one of the rear cubbies - thinking of the one where the 6CD player sits as I don't use it.

2) break into the water feed from the front (which I think runs down the LHS of the car).

3) run a wire to the rear wash/wipe switch on the steering column.

Any thoughts? Any ideas on a suitable washbottle/pump to fit?

Regards, Mike

No idea about a suitable unit, but the standard water pipe runs under the CD stacker. There's even a convenient (for your purpose) joint under there.

i have never had probs with mine and think it works fine for squerting water over my rear window. understanding your ambition for a better washer it sounds to me like big ball ache of work for not very much result. maybe fixing your current one would be easier?

what you mean about patchy performance?

Mine's never given me any grief either. I would however like to find a bigger bottle for the whole system. Those that have Xenon's as standard have a bigger bottle to allow for the headlight washers.

maybe fixing your current one would be easier?

what you mean about patchy performance?

Current one works ok but even after cleaning and realigning the rear wash jet the actual rear screen cleaning is half-hearted. I've also replaced the rear wiper twice of late in an attempt to improve things but to limited effect.

The other problem I've had is the rear wash takes quite a while to thaw out in freezing weather so I was planning on a) increasing the antifreeze level in the rear wash reservoir & insulating the bottle & feed line.

I've had a number of Ovlovs in the past which were equipped with independent rear wash bottles and I found they generally worked a lot better than the shared setups like my Octy.

Regards, Mike

I would however like to find a bigger bottle for the whole system.

+1

Is the larger bottle setup true for mk1 Octys?

Regards, Mike

Elegance trim (and above) which have headlight washers fitted have a 5.5l bottle, plus those which have factory fit xenons also benefit from the larger capacity bottle.

think the non vrs models have a 5ltr bottle, the vrs is 3 or 3.5ltrs, that should be ample if its just for the rear. Try increasing your mix of antifreeze, take the rear pipe off the rear wiper nozzle/sprayer, check that for blockages, mine i had to soak in water for ages then blw it through with an airline. By unclipping the nozzle carefully and spraying the back, you can tell if its the nozzle slowing things down. Also when done, run through enough new mix, enough to purge the weaker mix, that should then stop freezing in the rear line.

it sounds to me like big ball ache of work

What I didn't say is that I have new seats and boot liner/carpet to fit which requires me to essentially empty out the inside of the car. I'm also planning on fitting my bass amp under the front passenger seat at the same time, plus adding in some extra wiring for a subwoofer and some trailer parking lights I'm working on.

Regards, Mike

I'm not convinced that the separate rear bottle will do much for you, because you'll be retaining the standard nozzle which just sprays down 1 line on the screen (at least on my car).

Still, if you're lifting the carpet, running some extra wires and/or a conduit puller string or 2 won't do any harm anyway. Just put a "not in use" label on both ends of any spare wires.

I'm not convinced that the separate rear bottle will do much for you, because you'll be retaining the standard nozzle which just sprays down 1 line on the screen (at least on my car).

I've been thinking about this also, adding two extra jets at 60 degrees or so and either keeping the original or removing it in favour of the new jets.

Just put a "not in use" label on both ends of any spare wires.

Good reminder, thanks.