Hi I have a Skoda Fabia 1.4 tdi 2009 Scout (66000 miles) having an issue with the windscreen wiper wash.

When I activate the windscreen wash to clean the windscreen my wipers will wipe once first before the

wash fluid comes out, which is the wrong way round - wash fluid first then wipe.

Any idears out there that could be causing this to happen.

P.S. my rear wash and wipe work perfectly.

My 1.9 estate does this as well. Although not ideal, I just this presumed this is the way it was designed.

No -  my wife has a fabia as well and all my previous skoda's the windscreen wash squirts first then wipes.

I rang my local garage who deal with a lot of VW / Skoda cars and they said it could be a - get this - a

lazy wiper motor. Not heard that one before?

Going to wait for better weather before doing anything as I have to work outside. 

It might be the fluid is draining back into the washer bottle.

So it has to pump the fluid all the way up from the bottle before it hits the screen.

Is there a non-return valve in the washer pipework near the join for the first washer jet?

 

Thanks AG Falco

 

Interesting point. If the rain and wind we have here ever moderates, I will go out and check this

 

Thanks ACFalco I too will check this out when the weather gets better as it is a bit nippy up here in the north at the moment.

On 08/02/2019 at 18:35, AGFalco said:

It might be the fluid is draining back into the washer bottle.

So it has to pump the fluid all the way up from the bottle before it hits the screen.

Is there a non-return valve in the washer pipework near the join for the first washer jet?

 

Thanks AG Falco

 

The problem with this is, without washer jet heaters, the fairly isolated small quantity of fluid will freeze in poor weather, anyway!

That's why you use screen wash with antifreeze properties.

I have used my windscreen washers at -15 C without it freezing and no heated washer jets.

 

They try to fit the washer jets out of the air flow to reduce the wind chill effect.

The washer bottle though is often found outside the engine bay these days.

 

This helps to stop legionnaires disease developing in the bottle.

Because the water doesn't get hot every time the engine gets hot.

It also helps to stop the water suffering if you put screen wash in the washer bottle.

 

 

On 08/02/2019 at 15:06, DIYMECH said:

When I activate the windscreen wash to clean the windscreen my wipers will wipe once first before the

wash fluid comes out

 

Can you hear the washer motor going first or only after the wiper has started working?

 

Thanks AG Falco

^^^ Do you spray windscreen wash on your windscreen when it is -15*oC air or ground temp?

 

 

Wind chill is something felt on living flesh.  Feels like not is at!.

But yes washer bottles are in engine compartments.  Sitting pretty low though and were there can be cold sink when parked.

Edited 10 February, 20197 yr by Skoffski

22 hours ago, Skoffski said:

^^^ Do you spray windscreen wash on your windscreen when it is -15*oC air or ground temp?

 

Not often, it is not that cold regularly down here. The temp on the car display when I start the car in the morning. 

 

 

22 hours ago, Skoffski said:

But yes washer bottles are in engine compartments.

 

A lot of them you fill up from the engine bay but they are in the space between/below the headlamp and front wheel.

Quite often accessed from the inner wheel arch liner.

 

Thanks AG Falco

You sure you are reading -15? I would have thought Dorset would be reading -1.5, (Minus one point five, not minus fifteen)!

 

Minus 15 would freeze MOST screen washes, unless extreme weather screen wash was used.

At minus 15, the ground would be frozen and puddles would be think ice!

 

On the Fabia, the bottle is filled from under the bonnet, on the nearside but the bottle is located further down, behind the headlight, etc.

 

Some Fabia's do have heated washer jets so you may not even realise... I guess its down to specs or request when ordered/added by the owner. This will stop the jet freezing to some (Cold) Degree but the fluid in the tube, between the bottle and the jets may well freeze anyway! The freezing temperature of the liquid will differ depending on conditions, too. The fluid, if insulated away from the cold, will take longer to freeze, obviously but also, a smaller quantity will freeze quicker, when subjected to the  same temperature as a larger amount. (An ice cube tray of water will freeze quicker than a bottle of water, in the same freezer).

 

So, even unfrozen screen wash will possibly freeze upon hitting the windscreen, unless the screen its self has been warmed up, too.

 

It is a pain in the ice when this happens!

 

11 hours ago, mrgf said:

You sure you are reading -15?

 

Have only had down to -5.7 C this winter so far.

The coast is warmer, but I am in North Dorset in a valley.

 

Windscreen washer jets not heated but I use screen wash good for -60 C undiluted.

Use boiled, distilled, filtered water if you want to lower the freezing point of your screen wash mixture.

 

Yes unfrozen screen wash can freeze when sprayed on to the windscreen when it is cold.

But the headlight washer jets are heated on my Fabia.

 

Thanks AG Falco