Windshield washer freeze up

[Vnorvi]

I live in the mountains in Colorado and. Needless to say it gets cold. I use -50 washer fluid, but the other day the washers stopped working on the way to the ski slopes. It was 8f. I assume the washer pipes freeze more easily since there is not an motor around. Any ideas or fixes? It is not a huge deal since they started working again as soon as the sun was out for a while.

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[YunniorO]

I live in the mountains in Colorado and. Needless to say it gets cold. I use -50 washer fluid, but the other day the washers stopped working on the way to the ski slopes. It was 8f. I assume the washer pipes freeze more easily since there is not an motor around. Any ideas or fixes? It is not a huge deal since they started working again as soon as the sun was out for a while.

I live in Colorado and have driven my MME in below 0 temps but never had this issue. What brand of fluid are you using? I use Peak in mine.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I live in the mountains in Colorado and. Needless to say it gets cold. I use -50 washer fluid, but the other day the washers stopped working on the way to the ski slopes. It was 8f. I assume the washer pipes freeze more easily since there is not an motor around. Any ideas or fixes? It is not a huge deal since they started working again as soon as the sun was out for a while.

Make sure you flush fluid through the system regularly (both front and rear washers). If the fluid sits in the lines for weeks the methanol will evaporate and you’ll lose the freezing point protection.

Dealers sometimes refill with non protected fluid during service, so that could be a factor too.

 

[Phrozen]

Don't dilute your fluid in winter.

 

[tuminatr]

The solution to this is get it in a heated garage, thaw the lines and replace the fluid.

Never had it happen to my Mach E but I have had it happened to other vehicles I've owned. Mainly it was a service department adding fluid. Maybe not realizing that it what they put in isn't good for the cold temperatures.

 

[Space_Pony]

The solution to this is get it in a heated garage, thaw the lines and replace the fluid.

Never had it happen to my Mach E but I have had it happened to other vehicles I've owned. Mainly it was a service department adding fluid. Maybe not realizing that it what they put in isn't good for the cold temperatures.

How do you replace the fluid?

 

[generaltso]

Don't dilute your fluid in winter.

Or ever.

 

[generaltso]

How do you replace the fluid?

Umm, use it up and pour more in?

 

[tuminatr]

How do you replace the fluid?

Once it's thawed out just run the system like normal. Typically shops will either pump out the old fluid in the reservoir or just run the system dry to make sure all the fluid gets replaced.

 

[Space_Pony]

Once it's thawed out just run the system like normal. Typically shops will either pump out the old fluid in the reservoir or just run the system dry to make sure all the fluid gets replaced.

Umm, use it up and pour more in?

I think a vacuum pump that I have would work better. I've never had that problem. I always run straight washer fluid.

 

[tuminatr]

I think a vacuum pump that I have would work better. I've never had that problem. I always run straight washer fluid.

Living in Minnesota this is common every winter. It's happened to me and I use fluid that is good to -45.

Yes use a vacuum pump to clean out the reservoir. Replace the fluid, then run the system a little bit to make sure the lines have new fluid in them. Vacuum pump typically won't get the fluid out of the lines, only the reservoir.

 

[Vnorvi]

Living in Minnesota this is common every winter. It's happened to me and I use fluid that is good to -45.

Yes use a vacuum pump to clean out the reservoir. Replace the fluid, then run the system a little bit to make sure the lines have new fluid in them. Vacuum pump typically won't get the fluid out of the lines, only the reservoir.

Thx

 

[Alutacon]

Make sure you flush fluid through the system regularly (both front and rear washers). If the fluid sits in the lines for weeks the methanol will evaporate and you’ll lose the freezing point protection.

Dealers sometimes refill with non protected fluid during service, so that could be a factor too.

Didn't know there was a rear washer. How do you activate it?

 

[Deleted member 19354]

How do you replace the fluid?

Hold the washer stalk in place and let it spray out?
I used RainX in the neon orange. It’s excellent

 

[Space_Pony]

Hold the washer stalk in place and let it spray out?
I used RainX in the neon orange. It’s excellent

You can do it that way, I would use my vacuum pump.

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