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Subject:Windshield Washer Hose
From:Rob
Date:Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:54:43 -0700

This is on an '84 Vanagon if that matters- I replaced the bottom half
of the washer hose.

Washer did not work. I cut the stock hose (4mm ID) behind the upper
grill giving myself enough room to work with it.
The reservoir came out (10mm bolts) with the rest of the plastic
tubing attached after I unplugged the pump connector.
I had power to the pump & continuity thru the pump.

I found the tubing had a chaffed hole almost 1" long where it ran
thru the plastic hold down on the top of the reservoir.

With 3' of 3/16"ID clear tubing from the hardware store (none of the
FLAPS in town had metric hose) I went to fix it.
The windshield washer pump motor slides into the reservoir with a
tapered rubber seal (pull it straight up to take it out).
I used a razor blade to slit the old tubing and take it off.
The 3/16 tubing went on to the washer motor after it was heated
slightly in my mouth, a nice tight fit when that part was done.
The tubing was fed up to the area where it was cut from with no
problems, the reservoir top slipped into the angled filling piece
with no problems & the reservoir was bolted back into place.
The 3/16"ID tubing did go around the stock washer tubing, I had to
lube the outside of the stock tubing and heat the 3/16 ID tubing
again. I slid it about 1" up on the old washer tube. It was solid
with a gentle pull test when I finished.

I added fluid & tested, it took a few seconds then started squirting
fluid on the windshield while the wipers did their thing. I put the
upper grill back on. With that done I'm ready for the nice weather!

Rob

becida@comcast.net
Western Washington State, USA

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