Tips on cleaning clogged winshield washer line?

On Oct 15, 4:01 pm, Kaz Kylheku wrote: [snip]

That's the way I've done it, but I don't remember what gauge it was. I simply rummaged through my parts bin until I found a wire that was thin enough. The "reverse-flush" might be a good idea - that would ensure whatever's in there (nozzle, or close to it) will be blown back out and away from the critical path.

On several old cars I have flushed out the lines and spray nozzle when the washer flow was weak.

1. Empty out all washer fluid.
2. Put about a cup of white vinegar in the washer container. Push spray button until the vinegar goes through system and comes out on windshield.
3. Let the vinegar in the line and tank soak overnight. Then pump it all out. Flush with clean water. Replace wiper fluid.

This gets the built up lime and scale out of the line, pump, and spray nozzle.

Caution: don't do this with products like Lime Away or CLR etc. Those chemicals are so strong they would damage car paint or the pump or tubing.

A piece of shred guitar gauge E string (0.008") did the trick. It went in there quite easily; a bit of fluid suddenly gushed out, and that was that.

Windex cleans printer heads, maybe its worth a shot on windshield washer tubes also.

I've used a safety pin appropriately unbent for just this purpose previously. (safety pin rather than a straight pin because the "safety" part allows you to hold onto it a little better.)

nate

A thin steel wire will clean it out.

Nope, doesn't work. We've all tried that one.

Depends, start with the smallest paper clip you can find.

--scott