Clogged wiper nozzles are a fairly common problem. Typically, wax or body polish builds up on their opening, preventing the flow of water from exiting and reaching the windshield. Although it is an unpleasant inconvenience, it is easily solved; if you can't remove the obstruction, the easiest thing to do is to replace the sprayer.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Unblock the Wiper Fluid Sprayers
Step 1. Listen to the noise emitted by the liquid pump
Before attempting to unblock the sprinklers, activate them and listen to the low hum of the pump; if the spray hole is blocked, you can hear this noise even though no liquid is being sprayed.
- If you are unsure whether the pump is working, ask a friend to listen to it from outside the vehicle, near the hood.
- If you don't hear any sound, you need to replace the pump.
Step 2. Inspect the sprinklers for any obstructions
Locate them on the top of the hood near the windshield and check for anything blocking them. Car body polish or wax will often clump together on the nozzles, preventing the liquid from escaping properly.
Remove any wax or polish that is blocking the sprayer
Step 3. Use a pin to clear deeper obstructions
If it is not enough to rub the top of the nozzles to get a flow of wiper fluid, try using a needle or pin to open the holes; push the pin into each hole in the sprayer, remove it and wipe away the dirt you managed to extract.
- Insert the pin only to the depth from which you can safely remove it.
- Don't put too much pressure on the back of the sprayer; you could break the needle or the sprayer itself.
Step 4. Run some wire inside the washer nozzle
If the pin fails to reach deep enough to clear the duct, disconnect the hose at the base of the sprayer, under the hood, and then thread a thin wire from the base until it reaches the top hole. If the sprayer has multiple openings, you need to slide the wire several times to unlock them all.
- Guitar strings are perfect for this, because they are stiff enough to pass through the sprayer.
- You can also use electrical wire that you have removed the protective sheath.
Part 2 of 3: Soak or Replace Nozzles
Step 1. Disconnect the hose from the bottom of the sprayer
The rubber duct is fixed to the nozzle with only the pressure it exerts around the nozzle; you should then be able to detach it with relative ease.
- Simply squeeze it with your thumb and forefinger near the junction with the sprayer and pull it to remove it.
- If it is stuck, use a pair of pliers to twist it back and forth until it loosens.
Step 2. Use pliers to detach sprayer from hood
The wiper fluid nozzles are held in place by plastic latches; take a pair of pliers and press these tabs into the nozzle before pulling it straight up.
- The sprayer comes out of the hole without any problem pulling it upwards and with the latches compressed inside.
- If you have decided to replace them, you can also break them, but if not, be careful not to damage them.
Step 3. Pull the nozzles out of the hood
Lower the engine compartment door again and pull the nozzles up through the slot hole. When the compressed latches have come out, the rest of the nozzle should slide without too much resistance.
- If the sprayer is stuck, open the hood again and squeeze the tabs with pliers to release them again.
- Be careful not to damage the hood paint when doing this.
Step 4. Soak the nozzles in a bowl of vinegar
You may be able to get rid of any blockages with a short bath of this substance. Move the nozzles around the bowl to allow the liquid to penetrate the obstruction; after a few minutes, remove them from the vinegar and rinse them.
- After the wash is finished, you can blow through the nozzles to see if the block has been removed.
- If you got a positive result, mount the sprayer on the hood.
Step 5. Install new windshield washer fluid nozzles
Whether you need to fit clean old ones or brand new parts, the process doesn't change; insert the sprayer into the hole above the hood, so that it faces the windshield. When pushed into place with some pressure, the plastic latches expand and lock it in place.
- Connect the washer fluid hose to the sprayer when it is in its housing.
- Start the engine and test to make sure the windshield washer system is working properly.
Part 3 of 3: Inspect and Repair the Wiper System
Step 1. Visually inspect the lines starting from the fluid reservoir
If the nozzles do not spray the liquid onto the windshield, one of the tubes carrying the fluid from the reservoir may be severed or kinked; check them all for obstructions or damage.
- Start the inspection from the tank and follow the hoses to the sprayers attached to the hood.
- Look for signs of leaks, deformations, or other types of abnormalities.
Step 2. Clean the clogged tubing using compressed air
If the ducts are intact, the problem could be some foreign material blocking them; detach them from both the sprayers and the tank spout and use a compressor or canister of air included to clear any obstructions.
- If the air cannot pass through the tube and free it, it must be replaced.
- If air can get through the duct, put it back in its place.
Step 3. Replace damaged tubes
If you can't get rid of the obstruction, you need to fit a replacement. You can buy it directly in a specialized shop or take the damaged tube to the hardware store, as a sample, and take a generic rubber tube with the same diameter; purchase one of the correct length.
- Simply connect the new hose to the same nozzle you removed the old one from.
- Test the sprayers one more time after replacing the hose.
