Windscreen Washer Issue

[CondorXC90]

Windscreen washer suddenly not squirting today although there is washer fluid in the bottle. No fluid to rear screen or headlights either. The switches all ok as wipers activate and make a mess!
Thought it was the cold but the fluid is fine . When I lifted the bonnet I activated the front screen washers and there is fluid squirting out from the bottom of the t piece when I pull the washer switch to activate it- Is this a knackered t piece or are the washer jets blocked? Pump seems ok I think as its squirting fluid out albeit not in the right direction! No fluid going to the other side of the t piece to reach the passenger side nozzle.

Is this just a simple fix? (Hoping)

[john.wigley]

I don't know about the XC90 specifically, but in general terms this sounds very like blocked or, more likely at present, frozen, jets. Does your car have heated jets by any chance?

I have found the easiest way of cleaning jets is with a piece of old fashioned domestic fuse wire. It is flexible and unlikely to damage them or enlarge the orifice. If you have an electric tyre inflator you can blow air through the system using an appropriately sized nozzle (mine came with several different ones).

Another possibility is that the NRV has failed, allowing fluid to flow back after use and having to prime the system before it will work.

'T' pieces, NRVs etc. are widely available from e.g. Halfords at little cost.

At risk of stating the obvious, if the jets are simply frozen, pouring warm (not boiling) water over them should do the trick!

Regards, John.

[john langrick]

Hi, I had exactly this on my xc90 a couple of years ago.

The pipe has simply pulled off a spigot on the plastic 't' piece.

The pipe just pushes on the spigot with no retaining clips.

I believe the pipe froze and just pushed off with the ice.

Since then I always use an addative in the screen washer which I guess has antifreeze properties.

I have had no issues since.

So I suggest an easy fix (and weather getting warmer).

Hope this helps John l

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by CondorXC90

Windscreen washer suddenly not squirting today although there is washer fluid in the bottle. No fluid to rear screen or headlights either. The switches all ok as wipers activate and make a mess!
Thought it was the cold but the fluid is fine . When I lifted the bonnet I activated the front screen washers and there is fluid squirting out from the bottom of the t piece when I pull the washer switch to activate it- Is this a knackered t piece or are the washer jets blocked? Pump seems ok I think as its squirting fluid out albeit not in the right direction! No fluid going to the other side of the t piece to reach the passenger side nozzle.

Is this just a simple fix? (Hoping)

I think the nozzles may be frozen up. Try pouring some hot water on the nozzles... they could be blocked with ice.

[Simmy]

yes common fault i had this last week i replaced it with one from a local parts shop its called a checkvalve tee £4 2 Min job.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

I don't know about the XC90 specifically, but in general terms this sounds very like blocked or, more likely at present, frozen, jets. Does your car have heated jets by any chance?

I have found the easiest way of cleaning jets is with a piece of old fashioned domestic fuse wire. It is flexible and unlikely to damage them or enlarge the orifice. If you have an electric tyre inflator you can blow air through the system using an appropriately sized nozzle (mine came with several different ones).

Another possibility is that the NRV has failed, allowing fluid to flow back after use and having to prime the system before it will work.

'T' pieces, NRVs etc. are widely available from e.g. Halfords at little cost.

At risk of stating the obvious, if the jets are simply frozen, pouring warm (not boiling) water over them should do the trick!

Regards, John.

I think the heated jets are useless. Mine has them, the water that comes out of them is warm, but it doesn't stop the nozzles themselves freezing. The first cold snap that comes, the nozzles freeze straight away.

I think it would have been a better idea if Volvo put the nozzles in a better position. Mine are sat on the bonnet, out in the elements...

What's the point in having heated washers if they freeze up?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I think the heated jets are useless. Mine has them, the water that comes out of them is warm, but it doesn't stop the nozzles themselves freezing. The first cold snap that comes, the nozzles freeze straight away.

I think it would have been a better idea if Volvo put the nozzles in a better position. Mine are sat on the bonnet, out in the elements...

What's the point in having heated washers if they freeze up?

you are not using proper volvo washer fluid in the correct ratio with water. Heated nozzles don't defrost fluid in the pipes , they just aid cutting through oily road mess on the screen when you have the volvo fluid..

Add 25% for protection to -10C

33% down to -18C which is good for a stiff winter

or 50% mix for -28C Sweden I guess !

Volvo washer fluid is spirit based and leaves no deposits whatsoever.... does not stain the alloy trims or damage wiper blades or paint or plastic.
Available in 1 litre bottles from your Dealer. 31301249

[CondorXC90]

Thanks for the replies which are all useful

Update to problem thankfully easy fix:

The T piece which I think is the original 16 year old one- had lost the bottom cap so water was shooting out of the hole missing its cover. The plastic was old and cracked as well. Popped into my local Volvo indy who changed it FOC in a few min once they saw the issue. All working well again. The old T piece was an unnecessarily complex design -why bother to have a bottom cover which could come adfrift on the T piece? New one is just a single simple t piece. Full water power restored thank goodness. Not Volvos finest design for a cold weather car really this washer system but very please all is well again with the old girl!

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Clan

you are not using proper volvo washer fluid in the correct ratio with water. Heated nozzles don't defrost fluid in the pipes , they just aid cutting through oily road mess on the screen when you have the volvo fluid..

Add 25% for protection to -10C

33% down to -18C which is good for a stiff winter

or 50% mix for -28C Sweden I guess !

Volvo washer fluid is spirit based and leaves no deposits whatsoever.... does not stain the alloy trims or damage wiper blades or paint or plastic.
Available in 1 litre bottles from your Dealer. 31301249

I'm not talking about the washer fluid, I'm talking about the actual nozzles.

If I go out to my car on a cold morning and its all iced up, the water won't spray from the nozzles because the nozzles are frozen, not the fluid in the reservoir. I think this is to do with the location of the nozzles... they just sit on top of the bonnet. Some cars have them under the scuttle panel, which protects them from the elements more.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I'm not talking about the washer fluid, I'm talking about the actual nozzles.

If I go out to my car on a cold morning and its all iced up, the water won't spray from the nozzles because the nozzles are frozen, not the fluid in the reservoir. I think this is to do with the location of the nozzles... they just sit on top of the bonnet. Some cars have them under the scuttle panel, which protects them from the elements more.

That's odd, have you tried using the wash and holding it on for 5 seconds or so then let the heat soak through..? Are the heaters actually working?