neodude101

So, my windshield washer fluid won't come out of either nozzle. I checked the washer fluid level, and it was full, so I'm guess the lines are frozen or something? It's not the nozzles themselves, as they appear to be completely clean. I've tried it out at the beginning and the end of trips (thinking that the heat from the engine may warm things up), but it doesn't seem to help. It's only supposed to get up to 31 tomorrow, so I guess I'll wait until a warmer day to try it again. I drive into the sun a lot, and it sucks having a dirty windshield all the time, especially with the amount of road spray this time of year.

I thought washer fluid wasn't supposed to freeze...

Also, could I do damage to the pump if the lines are frozen? And if that's the case, this should be covered under warranty, right?

Has anyone else had any problems like this?

jeremie

it would probably be the pump before frozen lines, washer fluid doesnt freeze. it should be covered under warranty.

bredick

Washer fluid can freeze if the alcohol evaporates out, or if not using a winter mix and it just plain gets cold enough (DAMN cold), also some concentrate mixtures (some detailer use these, even some mechanics shops)don't have anti-freezing additives at all. It shouldn't hurt the lines because they're so small there really isn't much expansion force from the freezing, however it can crack the tank, but you said yours is full, pointing pretty likely to a clogged line or shot pump. Hell, my old car had a cracked tank, dead pump and clogged lines, that sucked, never bothered to fix it. The pump should be warranty work, almost guaranteed. Check if you can hear the pump standing outside the car with the hood open and have somebody hit the washers, you should hear the nice whirring noise, kind of like a low "weeeee" if it's more of an "errrrrrr" you may have a clog. If you do get the normal "weeeee" hold it for a few seconds then move the car and check for a puddle, it's unlikely on most cars, but the tubing may have come loose somewhere.

neodude101

I suspected that it might be the pump... that or maybe someone's been topping me off with water. I recently added a winter anti-freeze mix a few days ago, although maybe whatever they put in at the dealership last time wasn't and it's frozen in the lines. Oh well. I guess I'll have it checked out sometime.

MyFast

also washer fluid that helps melt ice can be had....i used to buy it when i lived in NY

e to the x

It may not have been enough of the winter mix to balance out with the normal washer fluid and still froze. Just wait for a warmer day...or keep the car in a warm garage over night and drain out the waserhfluid and refill it all with the winter mix.

06' SS2SS

Check your pump by turning the key to accesories. Then try to use the washer, if you hear the pump try to work then you got frozen lines. You can get some sub-zero fluid at any autoparts store. That should clear up the lines.

YSUsteven

I have had mine freeze in and F150 I used to have. After I drove it 15 miles it started to come out. After about 25 miles, was just fine. If it still doesn't come out after the car heats up for a while, frozen lines are not the problem.

neodude101

Who know's how long I'll have to wait before it warms up enough to be sure... f'ing wintertime.

kingkiwi

When I got my coupe in '05 I found out come winter that the dealership had filled it with regular fluid - In Chicago - THANKS ALOT!!! After I drained it and refilled it with winter mix it was fine.

YSUsteven

Dude, the engine runs at like 200 degrees. If it can't get the washer fluid up to 35 degrees when its 20 out, its not the lines. And if you do stop and go driving, it will heat it up even faster. One the car is about 180 for 20 mins it should be good to go, or its not the lines.