H All, 

I am new to the forum, but nonetheless I will pose my question. The garage told me that the washer pump was leaking on my 2006 - leading to a the back window washer not working. They quoted me silly money. I understand that the pumps are only about 10 quid, so pocket money. However, where is the offending pump and how easy is to get to and change please? I am a reasonable competent mechanic having a couple of classic cars so should be able to cope I think?! However, I dont want to have to strip the whole car down. 

Any advice would be appreciated, because there's no way I want to spend 150 quid on this!

Thanks, 

Andy 

  

Does the front washer work?

AFAIK there is only one pump for both screens...

It's more likely there is a pipe come loose somewhere along the way to the rear. Quite common.

Is there any water in the spare wheel well?

When you are sat still and run the rear washer can you hear the pump working? And are there any signs of fluid leaking on to the floor?

These can help diagnose the problem.

Obvious if there are actually two separate pumps then I'll leave quietly...

You have in a nutshell. I am not sure whether there are 1 or two pumps. However, the front works really well and I think I can hear something when I press the rear, but I guess that this is worth checking again (radio always on). 

I am not aware of whether there is water in the spare wheel well, but I will have a look and try and track  the piping. 

Thanks for the suggestions.

Andy  

Are you asking about a Superb or Octavia?  Confused by your username.

 

The Octavia does have one pump for both front and rear (not sure if another is fitted if you have headlamp washers).

It is not uncommon for the pipe to pop off as KBP says.  That would be my first check.  

Its not unknown for the jets to block up.  A good fan jet compatible (whatever that entails) washer fluid will help avoid the blockage/freezing and consequent pipe-popoff.

The official VAG washer stuff can is usually available online.  Apparently it can also be had from dealers, sometimes matching ebay prices.

 

I have used the Lidl fanjet stuff for the last three years, no problems with crud in jets or freezing.  Not tested its claimed -70C ability, but has worked for me in Germany in winter.  Weather station claims of -20C and have seen -10/12C while driving. 

Comes in a big container ready for use, so no faffing if you need to top up en route.  You can dilute in summer.  Oh, and it cleans the screen nicely.  Only downside is they only stock it in winter.

A common place for the pipe to detach is above the left rear wheel arch behind the trim. There is a join there on older cars which detaches and sheds the water into the well (and surrounding areas, which can damage the wiring including the parking sensor module if you have them).

Definitely worth checking the well as KB suggests.

Adam

Thanks all, by the way its an Octavia. However, my wife has a (now older) Superb. Thanks, A

Hello I'm a newbie and would appreciate some help:

 

I have a  2013  Superb Greenline combi - which I'm very happy with - 

 

The front windscreen washers do not work - but it is not the nozzels

The headlamp washers do work

The back window washer did start working but it maybe intermittent -  .. 

There is no leak under the washer unit.

The fuse is fine.

 

I don't know if the tank has 2 or 3 pump units. Can't see or read the parts easily as they are inaccessible.

The push-pull paddle switch does work the wipers so needless to say I'm a bit lost as to the fault.  

My research seems to indicate a dual window pump!! 

I don't want to travel to a dealer garage and possibly pay excessive fees at the moment (parts and service) so would rather advise my own mechanic.  

On my VRS, I can remove the offside fog lamp and pull the pump off the bottle. It takes about 5 minutes. I flush the bottle out about once a year to stop any buildup of crap in it.

I'm assuming you could do the same and test the pump by wiring it directly to the battery.

Great thanks - that seems like a small enough job to get access..

 

I read on an online workshop manual that the whole bumper needed to be taken off !!  

But if the pump comes off easily then you can flush the bottle in situ.. 

I your bottle the larger 5L one with headlight washers?

No, it's the standard one but the access is the same.

@Metblackrat -- I've only taken the pump out once, and that was when it failed on the estate about 4 years ago. I've never actually removed it to flush it out as part of routine maintenance. But I like that idea -- easy enough to do, takes no time at all, and could save an unexpected issue later. Thanks for that idea, must put it on my service schedule!

Mike

Someone else who is meticulous/OCD!

Hi all. This is really helpful stuff. Many thanks. I’m a relative novice but learning is ncredibly fast. One question I have is this:

I have a 2009 Octavia II estate with headlamps washers. The pump has broken and I know the part to buy EXCEPT the difference and need gorvrother a dual or a mono pump. Can anyone tell me what is needed on this car?

Recently someone on here said that the headlights washer has a separate high pressure pump. So I searched on the net for you and found this:

https://www.mister-auto.co.uk/headlight-washer-pump/skoda/octavia/octavia-combi-1z5-1-6-tdi-105hp-2009-2013/

 

The details are for my car so you need to repeat it for yours. It looks like it is just a push fit into the washer bottle like the other washer pump.

It is a lot more expensive than the dual pump for the window washing, which is probably what you were looking at.

 

 

Edited 4 June, 20197 yr by pikpilot
additional info

On 19/09/2013 at 06:14, adamal said:

A common place for the pipe to detach is above the left rear wheel arch behind the trim. There is a join there on older cars which detaches and sheds the water into the well (and surrounding areas, which can damage the wiring including the parking sensor module if you have them).

Definitely worth checking the well as KB suggests.

Adam

Adam is absolutely correct. If you have been carting a lot of stuff about in the boot, the washer fluid pipe separates from a joint behind the side trim in the boot (LHS) and fills the boot with screenwash. Easy fix, cut and refit pipe, but you may need a cup of boiling hot water to get the pipe snug onto the connector.