Windshield washer pressure

Windshield washer pressure
now illustrated

Windshield washer pressure[850][94] Michael Elkavitch -- Tuesday, 9 October 2001, at 4:37 p.m.

Hi,
My wife and I have noticed that the windshield washer pressure on our 850 has diminished significantly. The fluid squirts out but not as forcefully as before. I could stick a thin wire down the opening, but would like any other thoughts. Is this a sign the pump is failing? If so, what is the technique to replacing it - just the pump or the whole unit?
Thanks,
Mike - 94 850

Re: Windshield washer pressure[850][94] Sin -- Tuesday, 9 October 2001, at 8:12 p.m.
More then likely, you have a clogged check valve. Head to volvospeed.com for details on how to do it yourself, or just go to the dealership. It's not that expensive. I believe parts are about $5, and about 1/3 hour of labour.

Re: Windshield washer pressure[850][94] P. Dwyer -- Tuesday, 9 October 2001, at 8:16 p.m.
Michael: try slipping a VERY thin wire in and out of the wiper-fluid jet/nozzle/orifice. Mineral buildup and/or other crud can get stuck in there; if the 'wire' thing does the job, all you've spent is a few minutes, zero dollars, and you didn't have to give up your car in order to get it done! The best wire that I have found for the job is that which you find on the heavy paper tags that often come on auto parts (my mech's part supplier uses them on items like mufflers and other big parts). I have yet to found any other wire that works! After you've done 'the cleaning', making sure that you have sufficient fluid in the reservoir, hold the wand until fluid comes out. Also, the 'impact point' of the fluid can be adjusted. Good Luck! --PD.

Re: Windshield washer pressure[850][94] Thom -- Tuesday, 9 October 2001, at 8:35 p.m.
Mike, I have a 95 850 and the spray from the windshield washer has pretty much ceased to function. I found the post below in the archives, tried it, and I think I've found my problem. Check it out and try it. Good luck.
Thom

Re: windshield washer: no spray[850/1995] posted by Ted on Wednesday, 7 October 1998, at 12:03 p.m.
Under the hood follow the washer line up to the hood. You will find a black tee the has a red cap on it. Unhook the inlet hose and see if it pumps out fluid. Chances are the check valve in the tee is bad. If it is, replace the tee p/n 1392074. If you have on fluid up at the tee, check to see if you blew a hose off by the pump.
Ted
Stillman Volvo
(fluid can also be up at the T valve because the T valve membrane is failing. See below.)

Re: Windshield washer pressure[850][94] Thomass -- Wednesday, 10 October 2001, at 9:38 a.m.
Hi Mike.

It is most likely your check valve that has gone bad.
It has a rubber membrane that seems to be dissolving with time.
making the fluid leak out a weep hole in the bottom of the valve.
Here is what i did;

locate the valve under the hood insulation at rear, center,

location of T valve

Remove the bonnet insulation by turning these plastic bolts 90 degrees and then gently lifting off. You shouldn't have to use much force at all.
It helps to have a seond pair of hands to hold the bonnet insulation whilst it is being taken off/put back on.

unplug hoses (remember each hose position), see illustration of T valve above

pop off the little cap on the valve with a small screwdriver, carefully because there is a small spring and a plunger in there.

The spring faces up towards the red cap.
As you can see this membrane is entirely stuffed,
allowing water to jet straight out of the hole in the red cap with no resistance,
rather than divert it to your bonnet jets.

Now go get one of your wifes dishwashing gloves you know the ones that comes in all kinds of happy colors. Cut a piece matching the shape of the old membrane and clean out the remainder of the old one.

Here's Thomas' happy membrane in the T-valve.
As you can see, it doesn't have to be perfectly engineered.

Replace parts in sequential order and it should work again. Mine has for over a year now, both on my windscreen and my headlight washers.
Good luck.
Thomas

Thank you for the great tip, Tom!

The water is diverted properly by the membrane.
(When the membrane is rotten, the water spits straight up through the hole in the red cap.)
It probably could have been a bit more even on the left hand side;
as you can see there's some interruption to a perfect fluid dynamic,
but who will ever notice. The main thing is that it works really well now!

(demented) Ozbrick tip; Get your better half to hold the valve for you while you test that
water pressure goes where it's meant to, and have a laugh when it squirts all over her... then run for it...

Re: Windshield washer pressure[850][94] Bernie -- Wednesday, 10 October 2001, at 11:53 a.m.

Michael:

As others have already posted, the problem is likely the tee-valve under the hood. I had the same problem with my '96 850 wagon - replaced the bad tee-valve in less than 15 minutes. 'Hope this helps ...

Bernie

Re: Windshield washer pressure[850][96] Robo Lobo -- Wednesday, 10 October 2001, at 7:49 p.m.

I just sent a message on a very similar post, with the part numbers for the T-valve and the newer style washer nozzles. It's so cheap, replace both items.

If you have any experiences, facts, hints comments or data that you think might be useful on the site, please

and I will post it, with an acknowledgement of your contribution (if you so wish).