Busted Windscreen Washers

doctorbutcher · **October 22, 2011, 19:22:14**

Hiya, 1st post here...

Yesterday the wife told me that I needed to put screenwash in our i30. I put some in, but didn't think I had put much in before it frothed and backwashed up the bottle.

I let it settle and then poured some more in. Again, it didn't seem to take much before it frothed up. I pumped the washers to pull the fluid through and operation seemed fine.

Now today the wife is telling me that the front washer jets are barely skooshing halfway up the window, while the back washer isn't working at all. The pump seems to be working as she can 'hear a whirring noise when I use the washers'.

My first reaction is a blockage - possibly an airlock - in the pipe, but thats probably wrong as my car knowledge can be scribbled on a beer-mat.

Any ideas on what it could be? Its a 59' Hyundai i30 Comfort (1.6) ... if it turns out to be the pump, is this likely covered by warranty or is it a wear-and-tear part, and so chargeable?

Cheers.

eye30 · **Reply #1: October 22, 2011, 19:42:10**

Hi and welcome.

Were the washers working prior to putting in the screen wash but as you say you didn't put much in then I would guess they were broken.?

It takes a couple of litres to fill.

From memory there are 2 pumps, 1 front 1 back, and work independently.
This has been covered elsewhere on the site and when they have been replaced they are a warranty item.

To check, get someone to sit in the car and activate the screen wash, front then back. You get by the washer bottle and you should hear the motor when activated.
Silence = bust, so to say.

Shambles · **Reply #2: October 22, 2011, 19:50:32**

Definitely a pump issue, if you have a problem both front and rear.

I'm on my 3rd pump ('08 UK model) as the first started performing in much the same way as you described - the motor was pumping but nothing arrived at the rear (the single pump services both front & rear).

The replacement fitted under warranty was itself faulty, as tested at fitting time by the dealership (it made the right noises but delivered not a drop).

Have a word with your dealer - it's definitely covered by your warranty

Welcome to the forum

meehalych · **Reply #3: October 22, 2011, 20:10:05**

Quote from: Shambles on October 22, 2011, 19:50:32

Definitely a pump issue, if you have a problem both front and rear.

I'm on my 3rd pump ('08 UK model) as the first started performing in much the same way as you described - the motor was pumping but nothing arrived at the rear (the single pump services both front & rear).

The replacement fitted under warranty was itself faulty, as tested at fitting time by the dealership (it made the right noises but delivered not a drop).

Have a word with your dealer - it's definitely covered by your warranty

Welcome to the forum

I wonder what type of fluid you fill the tank with as the pumps break down so often.
I haven't had any problems so far, except for two times when the wash fluid froze in the tank

Surferdude · **Reply #4: October 22, 2011, 21:41:40**

^^

Yeah. I've never been a fan of additives in the washers.
Just water for me.
If it gets really dirty (bugs, mud etc), I use a chamois which I carry in the glovebox.

meehalych · **Reply #5: October 22, 2011, 21:47:57**

Quote from: surferdude on October 22, 2011, 21:41:40

^^

Yeah. I've never been a fan of additives in the washers.
Just water for me.
If it gets really dirty (bugs, mud etc), I use a chamois which I carry in the glovebox.

I see the temperature never drops below freezing in your area

, otherwise you would spend an hour or more while waiting for ice in a wash tank to melt

Surferdude · **Reply #6: October 22, 2011, 21:50:20**

Quote from: meehalych on October 22, 2011, 21:47:57

Quote from: surferdude on October 22, 2011, 21:41:40
^^

Yeah. I've never been a fan of additives in the washers.
Just water for me.
If it gets really dirty (bugs, mud etc), I use a chamois which I carry in the glovebox.
I see the temperature never drops below freezing in your area , otherwise you would spend an hour or more while waiting for ice in a wash tank to melt

Quite true.

Dazzler · **Reply #7: October 22, 2011, 21:54:09**

Welcome Doc. Too much additive can glug things up ... Sounds like you put a fair bit in

You could try flushing the majority of it out by sticking a hose in the washer bottle and running it until the majority of the suds has dispersed

Then test it again.. Didn't have a problem with our first i30 which we had for around two and a half years...

beerman · **Reply #8: October 23, 2011, 00:20:41**

Mine did the same thing on the big trip, didn't worry too much about it. By the time I had stopped for dinner (we don't get too many fuel stops in the diesel) I had a look, but it had fixed itself.

doctorbutcher · **Reply #9: October 23, 2011, 09:43:27**

Haha, thanks guys.

I didn't think I put much in.. its a new 2.5l bottle I opened and I've only tipped in maybe a half-litre before it backwashed. Its the first time I've had to top it up since I got the car in May.

I'll have another look today and report back. Thanks for all the replies so far.

rustynutz · **Reply #10: October 23, 2011, 09:48:54**

Hope it wasn't a concentrate....

doctorbutcher · **Reply #11: October 23, 2011, 10:08:10**

No mate, pre-mix

doctorbutcher · **Reply #12: October 23, 2011, 10:57:28**

Just been out at the car, and the pump is definitely trying to operate.. the front washers are barely producing a trickle, but rear washer isn't spraying at all; although definite sound of motor in operation when front/rear washer is activated. Guy in the street who claims to 'know about cars' suggests that there may be a blocked filter between the washer reservoir and the pump.

I'll get my local mechanic to diagnose tomorrow, before I embark on the trip to the dealership if it does turn out to be pump at fault.

meehalych · **Reply #13: October 23, 2011, 11:21:38**

Quote from: doctorbutcher on October 23, 2011, 10:57:28

Just been out at the car, and the pump is definitely trying to operate.. the front washers are barely producing a trickle, but rear washer isn't spraying at all; although definite sound of motor in operation when front/rear washer is activated. Guy in the street who claims to 'know about cars' suggests that there may be a blocked filter between the washer reservoir and the pump.

I'll get my local mechanic to diagnose tomorrow, before I embark on the trip to the dealership if it does turn out to be pump at fault.

You may verify whether a filter is clogged or not yourself

Phil №❶ · **Reply #14: October 23, 2011, 11:23:58**

meehalych

Where did you get thew drawings from.

meehalych · **Reply #15: October 23, 2011, 11:26:37**

Quote from: 847563 on October 23, 2011, 11:23:58

meehalych

Where did you get thew drawings from.

That is from Russian site www.elcats.ru , so you must be logged in before proceeding to these drawings

meehalych · **Reply #16: October 23, 2011, 11:30:03**

This is a pipe for the rear washer, so there is only one pump in our cars

Phil №❶ · **Reply #17: October 23, 2011, 11:30:41**

I need a drawing of the diesel fuel tank and it's pipes. I guess it's in Russian?

Dazzler · **Reply #18: October 23, 2011, 11:31:56**

Quote from: 847563 on October 23, 2011, 11:30:41

I need a drawing of the diesel fuel tank and it's pipes. I guess it's in Russian?

You forgot the "magic" word

Phil №❶ · **Reply #19: October 23, 2011, 11:33:29**

Excuse me,,,,,, Please

meehalych · **Reply #20: October 23, 2011, 11:34:44**

Quote from: 847563 on October 23, 2011, 11:30:41

I need a drawing of the diesel fuel tank and it's pipes. I guess it's in Russian?

wait a moment, I'll find one and send you a link to the picture on photobucket in PM
Do you have a hatch-back version?

doctorbutcher · **Reply #21: October 23, 2011, 11:47:05**

Oi! Stop hi-jacking my thread.

**Reply #22: October 23, 2011, 18:59:03**

Aye you tell them Doc