FF 5 years and the windscreen washers are weak and if left unused for any period of time nothing happens till pressure is up and only then they will still dribble. The pump sounds strong, and you can hear it load up as pressure must be building.
So I take off the front bottom lip cover on the passenger side to reveal the pump. I take the pump out of the reservoir bottle and clean water is draining. That's a good sign, I poke my finger inside and feel the rubber seal, there's almost no opening that I can feel (but water did empty from it) so I push my finger a little more into it and i can feel I've widened the hole/split. I hope this makes it easier on the pump to draw water, even with what little head pressure it may have.
I put the pump back into the reservoir and put 2L into it and test. Nope pump works as it did, it loads up a bit, but nothing is coming from the jets about 10 seconds have passed, and I get the typical dribble as before.Back to the diagnosis board.
Next in line is the non-return valve on the line to the windscreen washers, (wasn't one for the rear hose). This is accessible by taking the LH headlight out. On the Chassis arm you can see the two washer hoses and the mount, you can then see the non-return valve and the hose continues alongside the quarter panel and up to the bonnet.
I remove the hose from the mount and take off the hose on the bottom of the valve. You have some length to test out the line, so I blow into it hard (I've got about 15psi ability, so a tyre pressure gauge once said lol) and nope nothing is getting through. It must be blocked, so I remove the non-return valve and blow into the hose and water blows onto the windscreen easy as, verifying a clear hose all the way to the end.
I test the check-valve (shorter than typing NRV) and nothing is getting past in either direction. Yay, reckon I've found the problem, but still need to test it after replacing the check-valve. Some people have said replacing the check-valve didn't fix their problem and had to replace the pump in the end. So I'm not out of the woods yet.
To cut a long story short, I'm not happy with just a straight joiner and lose the check valve, rendering the action of the jets delayed till the line has filled. That's the extent of Supercheap Autos assistance. I thought about going to Bunnings and check out what they have to offer. As it is, I just happen to have Autobarn in the same location of Bunnings, so I'll go there first before walking across the car park.
I don't know what but my local Autobarn is always empty, and the workers are scratching for someone to darken the door, it's slightly uncomfortable, every time I've been there (this is the second time this year lol). Anyway I'm greeted by a young man and after the spiel I say windscreen washer non-return valve 5mm. To which an older guy behind the counter hears, and the younger guy walks up to him muttering the same thing, the older guy turns to some bits on the side of the racking and pulls off a packet and hands it to the young whipper-snapper.
I'm shocked they had one, one that fits 5mm hoses....pleasantries were said, and I'm off to the front counter. $5 and I'm out of there.
Quick fit, turn the key and test.......
Sprays so hard it turns to mist after hitting the windscreen, shoots out like your favourite Adult movie stars happy ending, pressure shoots like.....well you get my drift lol...
If you have weak jets look under the headlight first and change that nor-return valve, it's only $5 and is easier than the lower lip of the bumper.
Part:
Nice Products NRV513 (non-return valve)
I'll get pics in the morning...