When the windshield doesn't get wet - a guide to injectors!

Spray nozzles are part of the windshield washer system and are used to spray water and detergent onto a dry, dirty windshield. Even distribution of washer fluid ensures an efficient cleaning process. 

The windshield washer function automatically activates the sprayer, usually by pressing the multi-function switch on the steering wheel. The pump sprays water on the windshield while the handle is pressed . At the same time, the wipers move back and forth at normal speed. As soon as the handle is released, the pump stops pumping. The wipers run a few more times to get the windshield clean and dry again.

Windshield washer system malfunctions

The windshield washer system may have several defects. Typical faults are:

- washer fluid does not flow from the injectors – water only drips from the nozzles, not reaching the windshield – the jet of water passes over or past the windshield

These faults are usually easily fixed.

No cleaning fluid coming out of the spray nozzles

The lack of liquid from the spray nozzles can be caused by three reasons: – the pump does not work; – the supply hose is loose or broken; – the spray nozzles are clogged;

• Faulty wiper pump not producing water . Also, his engine is not running. When the windshield wiper switch is pressed, the engine does not turn on. To troubleshoot, park the vehicle, turn off the engine and turn the ignition key to the " ignition ". Open the hood and have an assistant operate the wiper switch.

This is an effective check of the operation of the wiper pump in quality vehicles with good insulation. Just by checking it while driving, you may not be able to distinguish between an idle engine due to all the other engine sounds.

• With the hood open and the presence of an assistant, you can immediately check the hoses of the washer system . The spray nozzles are connected to simple rubber hoses that may have come off due to vibration. In older cars, the elasticity of the rubber hose at the point of connection with the nozzle gradually deteriorates, which leads to the expansion of the mouthpiece. The easiest and fastest solution in this case is to cut off the excess piece and reattach the hose . Ideally, the entire hose is replaced.

If leaks are visible, be especially careful! It is very likely that a marten or some other rodent settled in the engine compartment . A gnawed hose is a vivid confirmation of this.

In this case, all cables and hoses in the engine compartment must be carefully checked for further signs of overbite. If a broken water or oil hose goes unnoticed, you risk serious engine damage!

The most common malfunction of the windshield washer system is clogged nozzles. There are three reasons for this:

- washer fluid frozen - washer fluid contaminated – The spray nozzles are clogged due to external influences.

• Frozen washer fluid occurs because you forgot to turn on the winter mode . It remains only to defrost the liquid in a warm garage or on a long journey. After that, the liquid is completely drained and replaced with a liquid with antifreeze. Be careful: if the wiper reservoir was completely filled before freezing, it must be carefully checked. When water freezes, it expands by 10%, which can lead to a rupture of the tank.

• Flushing fluid contamination is rare . Sometimes foreign particles could get into the wiper reservoir. This is usually not possible, although it cannot be completely ruled out. When repairing the windshield washer, always check the cleanliness of the washer fluid. . If particles are floating in it, the tank must be thoroughly cleaned.
• Spray nozzles are usually clogged from the outside . Rainwater running down the windshield collects dust and pollen. Some of this can get into the spray nozzles, gradually clogging them.

Cleaning the spray nozzles

Until a few years ago, wiper nozzles were simple balls with drilled holes that could be simply cleaned and adjusted with a needle. . These days, new vehicles are often fitted with fan nozzles and micro-nozzles, which create a wider and finer spray pattern and achieve a larger area per pump action. However, finer nozzles tend to clog sooner and cannot be cleaned in the same way. There is a simple trick for this:

• The best solution for cleaning spray nozzles is compressed air . Blowing them from behind is an effective way to clean them. To do this, you must first remove the injectors. The installation of injectors depends on the vehicle manufacturer.
• However, removal does not require tools or can be simple. . As a rule, they can be removed manually. Alternatively, they are fixed with a lock nut that can be unscrewed . Its connection to the supply hose is also different.
• It used to be a simple rubber hose , immediately attached to the nozzle nozzle. Nowadays, it often has an end part with a locking clip. . Both can be easily loosened without a tool.

• When the nozzle is removed, it can be effectively blown out with a tire pressure measuring device at a gas station .
• Simply push the connecting sleeve into the blower nozzle until the steel pin exposes the supply hose.
• Now turn on the compressed air . After 3-4 seconds, the nozzle is cleaned . Then install the spray nozzle back in the reverse order of removing it. In general, inspection and maintenance of the wiper system should not take more than 15 minutes of your time .

Spray nozzle adjustment

Large ball injectors are still used, especially on cheaper cars. . There is special equipment for adjusting spray nozzles, although this is usually redundant. A thin drill, a thin screwdriver, or just a safety pin will do.

The nozzle is adjusted to spray in the driver's field of vision. . If it is set too high, too much water is sprayed onto the roof of the car. Setting it too low will result in not enough fluid to enter the driver's field of vision. The washer fluid contact point should be in the center of the upper third of the windshield. On the side, the nozzles are symmetrically adjusted so that the entire windshield is sprayed evenly.

In luxury cars, adjusting the washer system is a little more difficult. . The wide and thin jet is not created by ball nozzles, but by real high-tech water mist nozzles. They are equipped with an adjusting screw that can be adjusted with using a Torx screwdriver .

Spray System Limitations

The front and rear window washer system has its own technical limitations. . Mainly intended for cleaning lightly soiled or dusty windshields. Large accumulations of dirt, bird droppings, or stuck insects often cannot simply be wiped off. On the contrary: if the wiper system is overloaded, the entire windshield may be smudged and visibility severely reduced.
This can lead to dangerous situations while driving. . Driver " flying blind ". If the smudging is too much, find the nearest gas station where you can find a bucket and a manual wiper that removes even the toughest dirt from the windshield.

Trick against the squeak

Even the best windshield wiper system can cause a recurring problem: annoying squeaky windshield wipers. . The squeak appears when the wipers get too old and brittle.

Cheap wipers are often made from harder rubber. , which tends to squeak earlier, although high quality and new wipers can also make this annoying sound. In this case, the cause is often grease residue on the wiper blades. The flushing system can only partially clean them.

The wipers should now be cleaned with a clean cloth and plenty of window cleaner. This should eliminate any squeaking.