Afternoon all.

Above is the lance that I have. Its about a year old.

I used to use Valet Pro Ph neutral snow foam and had no problems with it.

A few months ago (when it ran out) I changed to Magifoam. It was great at first but the last couple of times it has come out like semi skimmed milk!

I always rinse out the bottle and even the tube to make sure there's no build-up of soap.

The last time I used it I put through a bottle full of plain warm water.

I put an inch or so in the bottom of the bottle and fill with warm water.

No matter how I adjust the two `taps` (top and front) it makes no odds...just comes out as I have  described.

Does anyone have an idea what's gone wrong?

Many thanks.

Mike.

 

Sounds like you may have an issue with the valve in the centre of the attachment.

There are some guides available, on DW etc, listing out the steps for cleaning it.

 

Especially as you've stated that altering the adjustment knobs haven't made any difference.

I have the same problem now. Need to strip it down and clean it.

I saw a video once (I thought it was via CYC where I bought it) on how to dismantle and clean it...but I cant find it now.

Does anyone know of such a video?

Regards

Mike.

I used this one: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=84349

I have the same lance be interested to see the resolution if it every happens to me.

Thank you so much for that link, Wardy.

I got down to step 7 but then, try as I may, I just couldn't unscrew the `foam end body`. So I couldn't get to the metal gauze...which is probably the root cause of my problem.

Looks like I'll have to buy a new lance...bumber!!

Most likely a bunged up gauze. Replacments can be bought for 99p from Autobrite, but if you strip it down and remove the gauze and soak it in some descaler, rinse it out and replace.

Most likely a bunged up gauze. Replacments can be bought for 99p from Autobrite, but if you strip it down and remove the gauze and soak it in some descaler, rinse it out and replace.

Yeah, but as you see in the post above yours....

Have you pulled the tube off yet?

 

Let time mine blocked up there was a long ‘string’ of soap inside the nozzle where the tube pushes on.... I found this AFTER I had stripped it down!  :think:

Have you pulled the tube off yet?

 

Let time mine blocked up there was a long ‘string’ of soap inside the nozzle where the tube pushes on.... I found this AFTER I had stripped it down!  :think:

Thanks for the suggestion, `Coops`, but I did remove the tube and it was clear.

Regards

Mike.

Yeah, but as you see in the post above yours....

Sorry didn't see that post. My bad. Autobrite do a service for £10 where they'll clean the unit and replace the gauze, plus postage.

I'd drop a line to the place you bought it from. I had a faulty one from CYC in the first instance, as I couldn't find the fault after I did the stripdown steps. They sorted it out for me and sent a replacement.

I'd drop a line to the place you bought it from. I had a faulty one from CYC in the first instance, as I couldn't find the fault after I did the stripdown steps. They sorted it out for me and sent a replacement.

Yeah, that's where I bought mine. It is over a year old though, so I don't think I can expect them now to replace it now.

I'm going to have another bash at dismantling it. I maybe need to be a little more brutal...what's to lose...at the moment I'm thinking I'll need to buy a new one anyway.

Regards

Mike.

True enough. I'd still let them know, and ask their advice. You never know if you don't ask

Hi, Wardy.

I've taken your advice and dropped them an email explaining my problem.

Thanks for the tip.

Regards

Mike.

Thanks. Mine's still working, but guess it'll need cleaning at some stage

Tends to depend on water hardness in your area I think.

Its somewhere in the middle here and I haven't needed to strip down and clean this replacement one and I've had it 2+ years.

Had a return email from Tim (CYC) today, this is what he said:

 

Hi Mike,
You need to remove the plastic end, then the plastic end holding the metal fins. You can then with the body of the lance in a vice, use a 22mm socket to unscrew the end. That's the bit that has the gauze in. Also just give the end with the adaptor on a good tap down, that's a tiny hole there that can get blocked.
Tim

 

I'll have another bash at it tomorrow.

Regards

Mike.

Best of luck

Best of luck

Thanks, mate.

Regards

Mike.

Well, I managed to get at the `gauze` and after soaking it first in metal cleaner then in a de scaling solution, I reassembled it.

I've just used it and at first it was just as before...coming out like skimmed milk...but after the bottle was about a quarter empty it started to come out like proper snow-foam. I'll live with that!

Regards

Mike.

Sounds like a result

Dont forget to run a bottle of clean water to flush it after using it.

 

This will help to keep it clean. (depending on water hardness)

Yes,

The Gauze would be your problem

I live in a very hard water area and it is a nightmare to try keep my foam lance in good condition.