clogged windshield wiper fluid nozzle

I

imported_bigben

New member
yeah, i'm a newbie on the board...



and after several attempts, i can't get the clog (probably wax) out of my ww fluid nozzle/ejector. i know this must be a common problem, so any tips on how to clean them out? it's driving me nuts!



i have a 2004 toyota tacoma if that makes any difference. thanks,



ben
 
try using a toothpick & toothbrush to get most of it (to blow it out use a can of air with the little straw).
 
If it's just wax buildup on the nozzles, you can use a toothpick to pick the wax out of the nozzle.

In the future you want to either be more careful about getting wax in there, or tape them off with masking tape (I use green 3M masking tape. It leaves no residue on the paint).
 
Ive ever never read a post that anyone has had this problem..hehe but what I would recommend is simply taking a paper clip and open it up and just poke one of the ends in the little hole.
 
dang! you guys are fast! i'll try picking at it some more an maybe pick up an air can. guy idea about taping it. don't know why i never thought of that. thanks!



ben
 
Put some naphtha ( lighter fluid) on a Q-tip, agitate, then use a toothpick or paper clip to dissolve the caked up wax. It might take several applications.



In the future, cover up that area of ejectors with a tiny piece of blue painters tape.
 
Yeah, use a pin/needle. Or get a set of dental tools/picks. These come in handy for all sorts of things, including *adjusting* some kinds of washer nozzles.



A thin piece of wire will work in a pinch too.
 
BenP said:
Use a pin. Stick it in the hole. Simple!



Ben
Click to expand...



That's what I do.. just use a pin/needle to clear it out. Then spray some fluid, and use that same pin to adjust the nozzles but I just messed up the aim while clearing them out!
 
buldog said:
... Don't push it in.
Click to expand...



That's a good point. When you use the "poke with object" method, you want to *clear* the obstruction, often by breaking it up, not just push it further into the nozzle.



Heh heh, pulling some hoses is a bigger job than most people might want to try ;) Or at least getting them back on will be :D
 
I think not pushing in is a good idea but a very fine wire will usually do the job from the outside. The wire on parts tags is pretty fine. Make sure it goes in the hole easily, a toothpick is 100 times to thick. Strip insulation off of stranded electrical wire, unwrap a strand and use it.
 
I've heard the nozzles can also clog from mineral deposits that accumulate as the washer fluid evaporates after each use. If that's the problem, use distilled water in the washer fluid tank from now on.
 
Some vehicles have inline valves that prevent runback to the tank (in particular some Nissan products). The valve is a metal bearing set on a spring. Eventually the spring gets sticky from stuff in the WW fluid and can't move. I was able to get one owrking again by cleaning with a cleaning fluid but had to replace the other with a fishtank airline connector.
 
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