Windscreen Washers (again)

[sam_d]

I know this subject comes up time and again but I've not found a clear answer to my question.

I've looked at various solutions to the **** weak Defender windscreen washer problem and have seen a few suggestions including mounting washer jets direct to the wiper blades and/or adding washer jets at the grommets.

But what about just replacing the washer pump with something with a bit more oomph? Has anyone had any success doing this? If so, what pump did you use? Was it an easy fix?

What about adding a couple of new jets to the bonnet to save the hassle of having to remove the fascia etc to add jets through the grommets?

[nedflanders]

Can't see whats wrong with the originals tbh, mine clears just fine, not as good as a car if that's what your used too but effective enough.

[sam_d]

Can't see whats wrong with the originals tbh, mine clears just fine, not as good as a car if that's what your used too but effective enough.

The water only squirts a a couple of inches up the window and once you're moving at any speed the water doesn't even get as far as the wipers.

[Rick Fischer]

If you are unhappy, you could do the same as Rally cars.

Plumb 2-3mm plastic tube to along the blades, block ends, and insert pinholes along the blade length. Enlarge pinholes till you have the right amount of flow to the screen. Really works a treat.

Cheers

RF

[Don 130]

I've done similar to that suggested by Rick Fisher, but I've used a length of brass tube from a model supplies shop to go along the wipers. I think I've got .5mm holes (4). The tubing is black uv stabilised stuff. It's an unfinished project, I intend to alter the brass tube so that the black plastic tube can be located more neatly. It looks untidy now, but I wanted to be sure the idea worked ok before I got too involved. It's much better than the original due to the water being placed where the wipers are working, so also uses much less water to achieve a suitable result.
Don

[Bundalene]

The water only squirts a a couple of inches up the window and once you're moving at any speed the water doesn't even get as far as the wipers.


That is how they have always been - the wheel of progress turns very slowly when it comes to Defender luxuries such as windscreen washers.




Erich

[Yorkie]

never done the squeeze bottle out the window?. :D

[sam_d]

never done the squeeze bottle out the window?. :D

I was looking for a solution a bit more high tech than that (although admittedly the "squeezy bottle" method has few parts to go wrong) but not as involved as removing the dash for extra jets etc.

[Defender bender]

I bought a new pump and simply wired and plumbed it in, so i now have two pumps running, one drivers side one passenger side. It will require pump, wire, inline fuse, water line/tubeing and a drill and grommet to tap into your windscreen washer container. Took me about 1.5 hrs and 2 cans of bourbon to do the job. Might take 45 mins without the cans!

[DEFENDERZOOK]

have you checked the mesh screen on the pump isn't blocked with slime or anything.......?

washer bottles have a habit of building up slime after a while as the additives break down or something........this could be simply blocking the pump pickup and slowing it down......

[jboot51]

Mine had a one way valve in the tube somewhere. I removed that many years ago and its been fine .

[rick130]

Mine had a one way valve in the tube somewhere. I removed that many years ago and its been fine .

Ding ding ding !

I'd forgotten about that as mine went ta ta about eight years ago as the stupid thing was leaking.

Mine shoot OK but I replaced the pump a few years ago and IIRC it was a Bearmach one and either needed an adapter plug or had to remove one ?
Anyway, they work alright.


Or I just have low expectations as it's a Deefer :D
At least that's what the D3/4 boys would say :angel:

[sam_d]

have you checked the mesh screen on the pump isn't blocked with slime or anything.......?

washer bottles have a habit of building up slime after a while as the additives break down or something........this could be simply blocking the pump pickup and slowing it down......

Yeah, that sounds like a logical place to start. Thanks!


Ding ding ding !

I'd forgotten about that as mine went ta ta about eight years ago as the stupid thing was leaking.

Mine shoot OK but I replaced the pump a few years ago and IIRC it was a Bearmach one and either needed an adapter plug or had to remove one ?
Anyway, they work alright.


Or I just have low expectations as it's a Deefer :D
At least that's what the D3/4 boys would say :angel:

I suppose this could be the thing that my old D1 was better at after all :)

[jimr1]

I know this subject comes up time and again but I've not found a clear answer to my question.

I've looked at various solutions to the **** weak Defender windscreen washer problem and have seen a few suggestions including mounting washer jets direct to the wiper blades and/or adding washer jets at the grommets.

But what about just replacing the washer pump with something with a bit more oomph? Has anyone had any success doing this? If so, what pump did you use? Was it an easy fix?

What about adding a couple of new jets to the bonnet to save the hassle of having to remove the fascia etc to add jets through the grommets?
Hi sam , you could put extra jet or jets on your bonnet , you could also put in an extra pump . Try the local wreakers they'l have all you need and it shouldn't cost you much . Just as a point of interest have you checked your jets , or adjusted them ? a small safty pin should be all you need . regards jimr1 ...

[sam_d]

Hi sam , you could put extra jet or jets on your bonnet , you could also put in an extra pump . Try the local wreakers they'l have all you need and it shouldn't cost you much . Just as a point of interest have you checked your jets , or adjusted them ? a small safty pin should be all you need . regards jimr1 ...

That's pretty much what I planned to do and plum the new pump into the existing water bottle.


Just as a point of interest have you checked your jets , or adjusted them ? a small safty pin should be all you need . regards jimr1 ...

Yeah, I checked the jet nozzles - they actually seem fine. Water comes out quite freely but with little pressure behind it.

[mike_ie]

I've done similar to that suggested by Rick Fisher, but I've used a length of brass tube from a model supplies shop to go along the wipers. I think I've got .5mm holes (4). The tubing is black uv stabilised stuff. It's an unfinished project, I intend to alter the brass tube so that the black plastic tube can be located more neatly. It looks untidy now, but I wanted to be sure the idea worked ok before I got too involved. It's much better than the original due to the water being placed where the wipers are working, so also uses much less water to achieve a suitable result.
Don


Next time you're at a wreckers yard, find an older Peugeot, and grab the windscreen washer nozzles from them. Unlike most cars, the nozzles sit on a rail that is clipped along the wiper blade itself, and each wiper directs three or four separate sprays directly onto the windscreen. Its a cheap and very common mod back in the UK and Ireland - I've done it to every Defender I've had, and have a set of peugeot nozzles in the toolbox to go on this Defender too.

You'll find a write-up here:
www.REEDX.net (http://www.reedx.net/landrover/mods/wipers/index.htm)

[Defender bender]

You guys that say the water squirts too low, i dont get it. I have a 1995 110 and the pressure was low, as they all are . As for the squirter aim... You do no you can stick a pin in the squirter hole and re aim them, don't you..???? I re aimed mine rite over the top of the 110 when i had a play with aiming them.

[sam_d]

All fixed! The non-return valve was duff so with that replaced the washer jet now works like it should.

[rar110]

My washer pump only lasted a short while. Confirmed power getting to it. I'm going to cut break in tube and fit a generic pump. The kids regularly get on the roof from the front and snapped off the nozzle. I like the idea of falcon commodore or other commonly available bonnet mounted sprayers.