Rotor Convert

This might only be a small thing but it annoys the crap out of me.

Do your windscreen squirters block and spray at bizarre angles?

If not what do you do to prevent this? Do you use an additive? I just use tap water and always have but WD tells me this is why the car is playing up.

Your thoughts on such a small issue would be much appreciated.

labrat

It's always been my experience that I have had to adjust windscreen washers no matter what car I've had. Here's what I do:
1. Clean out jets with a fine sewing needle or some copper wire teased out of some flex.
2. Adust the position of the spray using the needle stuck in the hole to wiggle it to the right position, testing it repeatedly by spraying. I prefer to have the jets pointing at the bottom quarter of the windscreen to avoid overspray, and to make sure that the wipers work the water from the bottom to the top.
3. Always use de-ionized water (available from the supermarket, about $2.40/5L) to ensure you get no salt build-up in the holes. I don't use any additives, since the alcohol and detergents they put in these things will inevitably dissolve the polish on the paintwork when the spray dries on it. You can use this water to top up your battery as well.

With so little rain around and so much dust in the air, having a clean windscreen is very important. for me. I find I use my washers a lot.

hoosier

Your's are blocking due to using tap water, which is full of sediments that build up and block the sprayers. Don't use tap water.

labrat

Can I refine my comments? After clearing the gunge from the holes, use a coarser needle to wiggle the jet into position. Do it carefully, because if the jet is stiff you could break off the needle in the hole. Perhaps spray a little WD40 at the base of the jet and let it work in before you try the adjustment.

Rotor Convert

Many many many thanks for your help lab rat.....

Will try this tonight when I get home.

Thanks too Hoosier...although tap water always looks clear??? The jet holes aren't that small are they? I may be completely wrong though.

Anyhow will get onto this tonight as mentioned and look forward to clean windscreen!!

Oh yes we have had our driest everything on record and so there is a lot of dust....just wash the car and it's filthy again...I hate seeing dust on the bonnet!

Revolver

Hmm, I've always used tap water too and never had a problem before. Maybe the water in some parts of Australia is worse than others. I understand Adelaide's has never been great.

Interesting procedure you describe Labby. Have you ever broken the needle off?

labrat

Now, how am I supposed to take that, old son?

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

great advice mr rat . I do something similar but your method is better . Not sure about buying water though - would rather clean out the jets every year or two.

labrat

We have total car wash verbot in Brisneyland. , To illustrate how pathetic I am, when the storm front came through last night (and after the potential from hail had passed), I backed the car out of the garage into the street, got it wet, and drove back in again and chamois'd it off. The neighbours were out on their porch enjoying the sight of rain. I guess my weirdness has now been confirmed.

Cody Red

I use filtered water just because my car's my baby...

Even though my jets shoot at 'bizarre' angles, I too will try this.

labrat

Brisvegas water isn't quite as bad as Adelaide, but it is getting saltier. From time to time, I analyze the choride content of the tap water here, and it has gone from about 35mg/L up to about 55mg/L chloride in a couple of years.

DI water is very useful around the house. If you want streak-free windows, use DI water wth a bit of metho in your bucket. You should certainly always use it to top up your battery.

dbb

Lay off the Adelaide tap water ... its "unique" qualities mean we are able to create the nation's finest ales and serve the best coffee.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

Not sure we get it here - i'll have a look .

timbo

That's absolutely true...the disturbing part is (a) how much of Australia Adelaide water has flowed past and (b) how many Australian Adleiade water has already passed through

labrat

"DI" is short for "de-ionized" water, aka "demineralized" or "de-min". I'm sure that they have it in US supermarkets. You can also buy gadgets with demineralizing cartridges. Some people use de-min water in their steam irons.

Revolver

Unless everything about you is rodent-sized, as a serious question?

Sheesh, why doesn't anyone take me seriously in here???

(BTW, is everyone else getting 'rationed' with their available smilies in the dialogue box?)

Revolver

Okay, that's quite enough about your leisure pursuits thanks Labby.

I'm not sure there's enough A's in anorak to describe this...

Revolver

Don't drink coffee. What's this nation's best beer I'm missing out on then? 'Spose it would have to be better than XXXX. Was never quite sure how they managed to get the cat to squat over the bottle...

dbb

Revolver

Always been overrated IMHO but the zealots will never be convinced of that.

Good marketing though...

dbb

They certainly must have good marketing, if Jews from the 1st century AD are convinced Coopers make great beer :-)

Revolver

Sorry, you've lost me...

dbb

The Zealots were members of a radical, warlike, ardently patriotic group of Jews in Judea, particularly prominent from a.d. 69 to 81, advocating the violent overthrow of Roman rule and vigorously resisting the efforts of the Romans and their supporters to heathenise the Jews.

ah ... never mind. We can agree to disagree about your taste/lack of taste in beer. This thread has deviated enough from the function of windscreen wipers already.

Revolver

Oh...very droll. Anyway, I said zealots, not Zealots. Capitalisation has a purpose you know.

As for going off-topic, I'd much rather discuss beer than windscreen washers, but then, I'm funny like that...

labrat

Actually, it ain't leisure but work. We make instrumentation to measure amounts of various chemicals in solution, and from time to time I do this analysis to check out improvements we make to our gear. But yeah, hell, I'm a geek.