No water from window washer - '72 with AC

[Jerome P.]

Is there a quick way to troubleshoot what's happening? Washer button is pushed, wiper door opens, wipers start but no washer fluid at nozzles, I filled the reservoir and it is full no leaks. No apparent leaks anywhere. I have not used the washer in several years.

unfortunately the reservoir (bag) on an air car is not easy to get in and/or out.

Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

[Leif A.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry,
When you activate the washer, do you hear the pump attempting to pump water to the nozzles? If so, what has worked for me in the past is to remove the hose from the bag, fill your mouth (yes, your mouth) with water and attempt to blow the water thru the hose leading to the nozzles. If these systems aren't used regularly (and, whose is) they dry out and need to be primed...and, that's the way I have always done mine. Typically, once a year prior to judging. If you see water at the nozzles, put the hose back inside the bag and try the washer switch again...bet it works this time.

[Mike M.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

visit local pharmacy or if you have a friendly nurse, get a 30 or 60cc syringe and inject a load of water thru the reservoir end of the hose to the pump. mike

[Jerome P.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

I will try the mouth to mouth, then the syringe. Thanks guys.

[Jerome P.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Leif,

I hear the pump making a clicking noise for 5/10 seconds after activating the washer and assume that indicates the pump is working. I tried to blow a mouth full of water into the pump assembly it would not receive any water. I also tried blowing just air into the pump inlet and it would not pass freely. In that the washers did work a year or two ago I thought for sure priming the system, as you suggested, would work.

Any other suggestions or thoughts?

Do you think I should replace the seal in the pump nozzle housing?

[Leif A.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry,
The nozzles, themselves, may be clogged. Try and run a small needle down the nozzle(s). I've, also, used fine welding torch cleaning tools.

P.S. I have to blow REAL hard to get mine primed.

[Erich M.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry,

Take a look at two articles on windshield washer pump repair and diagnosis in the Winter 2016 Restorer. One article was written by me and the other by Kurt Geis. Each article talks about different aspects of the possible modes of pump failure. My published article is missing labels in the pictures that I can send to you for clarification if you need them.

I would first disconnect each hose going to the wipers at the pump discharge and just try blowing through them with your mouth to test if the lines and spray holes at each wiper are clear and open. Also, as I recall, the pump will not pass fluid through to the discharge by blowing into the inlet even if it is functioning properly. Another problem I found is that the suction line from the reservoir to the pump inlet must be nearly full of liquid and tight on the inlet of the pump to prevent a vacuum loss and the liquid from running out of the suction line and back into the reservoir. The windshield washer pump can pull a slight vacuum and self prime but not enough to pull it all the way up from the reservoir. I sucked the fluid up from the tank with my mouth, put my finger over the open end, and quickly attached it to the pump suction. Hope this helps.

Erich Meyer
Original Ownwe '72 LT1 Bowtie & Top Flight

[Stephen V.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry, an old turkey baster can also be used to prime the washer fluid up to the top of the hose. Just in case if your troubleshooting leads to a bad pump : I Replaced 2 of these washer pumps before. Each time I had to use the original coupling on the back of the old pump as the coupling that came with the new pumps is slightly smaller where the wiper motor shaft is supposed to catch and turn it. I put the original coupling on the new pumpand they are held on by an E-ring or pressed on clip. Hopefully it just needs to be primed or its out of fluid.

Steve

[Jerome P.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

I think I have figured out why I am not getting any water pumped from the reservoir; the washer pump piston became disconnected from the actuator rod. Why I do not know.

That said, upon taking the pump piston and cylinder apart two pieces were loose in the cylinder (SEE PICTURE AND ARROWS). I am at a loss as to how the two pieces go back in and become a part of a complete assembly. Am I missing a part that I dropped and lost during disassembly?

Any help will be appreciated.



Thanks

[Stephen V.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry, I believe the metal clip on bottom goes into the top piece marked with an arrow. Then assembly inward with spring. There may be a fastener that broke off. Never had that issue. There are rebuilding kits for 3 port pumps but I'm unsure what is included. You will have too check the vendor's for that info or even an assembly diagram. If you replace it remember you might have to use the old coupling with the new pump so don't throw out the old pump. Attached is a picture of a new coupling which didn't work for me on two 1970 cars. Had too use the old coupling on both... Regards,

Steve

[Jerome P.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

I guess the question is; how do these two pieces get securely attached and where?

[Erich M.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry,

The piston is molded in two pieces and the top of the piston will turn independently of the bottom. It looks like your loose white piece is part of the bottom of the piston that the actuator rod locks into. The spring fits into your loose white piece to lock the rod into the piston when it is turned in the locked position. Its been over 15 years since I had mine apart and I don't remember all of the details but it looks like the OD of your white piece is smaller than it should be. I think your missing a piece of the lower piston the your white piece may fit into, but I'm not sure.

I am analyzing your situation based on fabulous assembly pictures in Kurt Geis's article in the Restorer that I mentioned previously. It has a picture of the bottom of the piston with a metal slot for locking the actuator rod. The OD of the white plastic piece in article picture that the metal slot fits into appears greater than that shown in your photo. He also describes how to lock the actuator rod to the piston.

Erich Meyer

[Jerome P.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Thanks to everyone. I think that I am going to send the pump into a reputable rebuilder. Do you guys know of anyone that rebuilds these motors and pumps and is good. Your sugestions will be appreciated.

Again thanks for all your input.

[Leonard M.]

Re: No water from window washer - '72 with AC

Jerry, The bottom of your piston broke off. I saw a nos Delco piston/cylinder for under 30. I will send the source (not me) in a pm.