Washer freeze!

[Richard Crofts]

I have non heated washer jets which keep freezing at the moment. I come out and run the engine for 4-5 mins in the morning to build up engine temp and incare heat and then unclog the washers with warm warter as deicer is not doing the job, however even with engine at rnning tempreture they refreeze when driving even when I've got 100% concentrate washer stuff! This means that I cant see on my way to work as the salt film covers the screen and I go completelt white/blind after an=bout 15 mins of driving and visability is poor almost as soon as i come up behind someone!...is there an issue with the washers or is this just bad luck on my part. Anyone else getting this issue?

[MiniAdventurer]

yes, i get the same thing, it drives me mad. apparently ur supposed to carefully cut out some of the insulation under the bonnet so that the heat from the engine defrosts them. someone explained how to do it the other day and i think it's in the questions section of GoMini this month

[Trainman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts

I have non heated washer jets which keep freezing at the moment. I come out and run the engine for 4-5 mins in the morning to build up engine temp and incare heat and then unclog the washers with warm warter as deicer is not doing the job, however even with engine at rnning tempreture they refreeze when driving even when I've got 100% concentrate washer stuff! This means that I cant see on my way to work as the salt film covers the screen and I go completelt white/blind after an=bout 15 mins of driving and visability is poor almost as soon as i come up behind someone!...is there an issue with the washers or is this just bad luck on my part. Anyone else getting this issue?

Yep same here! Found that out last night as I left Marylebone to head home which is a 20min run and even unclogged the holes with a pin only to find that they refroze immediately and had the same white salt film. In the end i had to stop at a garage just to wash the screen to be able to see.
I may consider investing in the heated washer jets!

[Trainman]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniAdventurer

yes, i get the same thing, it drives me mad. apparently ur supposed to carefully cut out some of the insulation under the bonnet so that the heat from the engine defrosts them. someone explained how to do it the other day and i think it's in the questions section of GoMini this month

Quite right it is in this edition of GoMini!

[Richard Crofts]

Cheers guys I am off to BMW tomorrow so wanted to know wether it was just my car and ask them to look into it. Its a real pain, I'll price the heated ones while there.

thanks

R

[Paul]

You can either buy and fit (or get the dealer to fit) heated washer jets, and/or cut a bit of the insulation out from underneath the jets which will allow more of the engine compartment heat up.

Heated washer jets and mirrors, I think, are a must have in the UK. The heated screen is great too, as we've been finding out recently (mine heated vs Abi's not).

[AidenL]

I think the heated ones freeze too - on a run over Christmas, almost every car, including ones with heated washers froze up - the insulation removal is the cure according to Goonery on here also.......

[MiniAdventurer]

paul, i agree with that- i have heated back windscreen but not front.