rear windscreen washer

[shabzy]

Could anyone please tell me, we have a 1.4TDi polo 03, the rear washer has stopped letting water spray onto the rear windscreen, there is a noise from the pump as you pull back the stalk, but no water comes out- all suggestions appreciated.

[Fred Flintstone]

Apart from the obvious - no water in the tank it could be one of three problems.

1. Jet blocked
2. Pipe disconnected at pump
3. Pipe disconnected at wiper motor.

To check removed the panel on the tailgate - if the hose is disconnected at the wiper motor is obvious every thing will be soaking wet and when operated the water goes everywhere.

If water does not come out when the washers are operated the pipe may be disconnected from the pump. Need to remove the inner wheel arch protector to gain access.

If disconnected at wiper and water does come out - reconnect and try again. If water does not come out the washer jet is blocked. Use a very fine needle to poke the blockage out or remove the tube and blow down the washer jet - use a bike pump or car air pump - blowing with the mouth results in a funny taste in the mouth .

How do I know all this - my Polo suffered the same and it took three days to dry out the tailgate trim as it has 25mm insulation inside which was soaking wet.

Good Luck

[JUV]

There is a fourth option - there's another join in the pipe in the boot, behind the carpet on the left hand (passenger) side, before it gets to the tailgate. You'll know if this is gone by damp carpets and (possibly) a spare wheel tray full of water.