Windscreen washer jets - cleaning

[steveG]

Anyone got a good tip for cleaning windscreen washer jets?

I fixed the washer pump on my County today, but there's definitely some bits of crap in the jets causing them to either not work or squirt randomly at strange angles.
I've tried wriggling a pin down the jet hole, compressed air from both the jet side and up the supply tube etc, but all I succeed in doing is to move the problem from one jet to another.

I'm going to give it another round of compressed air etc, but was hoping someone had another method that's worked for them, as I really don't want to pull the dash apart to remove the jets.

Steve

[460cixy]

What ever you do don't bust off the washer nozzle it's easy to do and a serious pain to replace

[lebanon]

I cleaned mine by soaking them in vinegar, I used a syringe with a very thin nozzle to fill the jet's supply tube.

Let it soak overnight and make sure to whip-off any vinegar that might spill on the paint.

You might need to repeat the procedure to get the entire nozzle clean.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

As long as it fits, a pin is good for dislodging / breaking up things stuck at the business end of the jets.

[Mick_Marsh]

As long as it fits, a pin is good for dislodging / breaking up things stuck at the business end of the jets.

Yep. I use a needle. Sometimes all I need to do is scratch away some crusty stuff.

[steveG]

I think the issue in this case is that there are loose bits of crud in the line. You can stick a pin in the nozzle and it will clear it, but as soon as it starts to squirt the crap is pushed back into the nozzle.

I've got the drivers side working great now, passenger side not so good (probably makes it less scary for SWMBO if she can't see out anyway )
Gave the reservoir a good flush out as there were a few black lumps sitting in it, and refilled with a good dose of Bars Bugs. Hopefully now the pump is working again I can give it a decent workout and it will clear itself.
If not I'll have a crack at Lebanon's vinegar suggestion.

Steve