2007 - 2012 Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner windshield washer repair

Symptom: Windshield washer system poor to zero water pressure: pump motor runs. suspect blockage.

[@runamuckretreatmccarthy1554]

To add an educated guess here, if you don't hear the pump engaging, the issue is the pump, not a blockage. This blockage happened with my husbands van, but my pump isn't engaging at all on my Mazda. I'll be replacing it tomorrow. Thanks for the tips.

[@tysonmayberry1208]

well done Sir! 5 *****star

[@Blueguitar007]

Thanks! The other video has them taking off panels and the grill, bumper cover and a bunch of stuff. I think taking off the wheel and then just the shroud is easier.

[@flytaaijag6109]

😂 Yeah I seen that video also. Hell naw that's too much work for something so small. I knew there was a other way.

[@darrellbrown8547]

Thanks very much!

[@jamesaudirsch9824]

So much easier than 1a autos videos thanks!

[@deanmurray4953]

thank you I got 2009 ford escape full of windshield blue liquid not pumping / spraying onto windshield this will be life saver thanks again from center point ark

[@mattbrown2607]

+Dean Murray , glad to help!

[@Lat10G956]

thanks Matt! My wife has a 2011 escape and figure I'd try KZbin to find an easy way to get started and well what do you know?! lol!! I appreciate it! thanks again for the video.

[@thomasmcvey2399]

Thanks Matt...

[@jskemp4]

Wow! Took me 10 minutes and a toothbrush. I conveniently am missing a piece of the inside wheel cover, and I did not remove the wheel, or any screws or hoses. I was able to just pop it out scrub with a toothbrush and pop it back in.

[@Blueguitar007]

So you just took off the wheel well panel and let it hang there and got the filter cleaned? Would you be able to fix a cracked pump this way? I would think the wheel would have to be removed to get the pump out to replace or patch.

[@SIRafiq]

Thanks Matt, solved my problem!

[@mattbrown2607]

Great Syed! I'm glad to have contributed a bit to the universe. :-)

[@cameronbevan4094]

And when the weather gets to freezing conditions, youll be replacing it again, because you only put water in.

[@NVHSChadSheppard1]

My 2008 escape mines was leaking fluid when they topped it off when I got my oil change done

[@SsgtMcNasty1]

Clearly you live where it never snows. Plain water all the time would make the reservoir or lines crack open when it freezes outside, and then it will be a much bigger problem.

[@richardjennex6583]

Will the Motors from all these different vehicles fit on a 2008 tribute because I can’t find one

[@markg7700]

I have an 2008 Escape and it is similar . Thanks for this video. The new pump I installed is a MOTORCRAFT factory part. But it takes 4 seconds to get fluid. ONce fluid is started it sprays like it should. Stop for a few secons and I am back to 4 seconds before it primes. Back side has no issue with spraying, only the front, Tank is full . When it finally sprays it looks normal so how could there be a clog. When I pulled the factory pump from the bottom of the reservoir, it only dripped. The tank was full and the lines were still on. I thought when I removed the pump I would loose the fluid in the tank but most stayed . I never removed the rubber grommet that you say has a filter. I wonder if that is my problem The old pump front side was starting to just trickle out so I assumed I needed a new one. Earlier in the year it started to need 3 or 4 seconds to fully spray. But eventually it just would nto pull much out so I figured it was the pump. While I do seem to have normal spray when the new pump eventually starts, which is an improvement, I know something is still not correct . is there a check valve in the line or can the tank be the issue? Should fluid have poured out of the spot you plug the pump into where the rubber grommet is or was the dripping what is expected? I see when you removed it it gushed out but what was it doing with it in place? Once the fluid starts spraying it does flow . If I stop and restart a second later it still is working. But after a few seconds it goes back to 4 seconds. any thoughts?

[@mattbrown2607]

With the rubber grommet in place, when the pump is removed, my system only dripped. That's bc the filter was still gunked up. If you clean the filter of debris, upon removing the pump (with the grommet still in place), water should flow, not drip (water tank full, filler cap off). Also, I think it's unlikely that the pump is bad (unless it ingested debris which is unlikely). Those things either work or they don't. There's usually no middle ground. I would clean the filter if I were you. I also removed the spray heads and all hoses to blow air through them... just to make sure they're all debris-free. There were no blockages, however. My filter had done its job. It sure sounds like you have the exact problem I had. Let me know how it works out. -Matt

[@markg7700]

Thanks for the reply. I guess the question is , why once the new pump gets started , after 4 seconds, why , if the filter is clogged. it would spray fluid at all? If it was clogged fliter, would the spray not get to the level it should be like it is now? No, I did not have the filler cap off when it was just dripping as I did not know that made a difference. I will have to take things apart again to investigate.

[@markg7700]

Also the back seems fine. So if it is a clogged filter why would that work OK but not the front? Thoughts?

[@mattbrown2607]

Great questions. I don't know the answers. My hope, though, is that the filter is partially clogged and accounts for the entire system's erratic behavior. Of course, I could be wrong. But I think it's worth the effort to tear down everything as I did in the video and clean out that filter. It costs only time and hopefully it fixes everything. Hopefullly.

[@markg7700]

So you were right. I had black gunk all over that screen I should have went with my hunch that water should have poured out. I had no idea that was a screen. Ford did good putting a screen in to protect the pump but if this happens, why wouldn't they make it a easy to get to part for servicing? I guess in the summer when I first played with it and seemed to get it to partially work for a few mouths I must have moved enough of the gunk. I assume I wasted $25 on a MotorCraft pump and I cant return it as I bought it on Amazon. However I was probably taxing that pump trying to get it to spray . Your video was helpful to see that filter. Sometimes I dont mess with parts that look attached. For a 2008 XLT here is some differences. If just trying to change the pump and the The first time I removed the wheel , three retainers and 4 bolts, three being on the underside front bumper. You dont have to remove the wheel but it can give you more working room My last time this is what I did: Now doing this a few times I can tell you first turn your wheel out to the right . With a 10 mmm socket and extension find the wheel well cover bolt and remove it. Turn the wheel all the way to the left and you can use a standard Philips head to remove the one screw that joins the cover to to the side bumper. Remove the retaining screws.- I used a screw driver to wiggle around trying to pry it off. one or two just pulled out completely. YOu can peel back the black wheel well cover just enough to access the pump and for more space gently pull the side of the plastic bumper out . It will pop off a black receiver track. Then you have enough space to lift the pump up and then if you need to access the lines there is enough length to get to them. You can easily get to the that pump screen and thus save the time from jacking up and removing the wheel. Each time pushing the side bumper back in was tricky. I am not sure why it seems to not go back when it looks lined up Dont force line it up and sort of push around on the top and over to the left and I cant say how it just finds it way . Anyway, sprays with super force now. I guess if I brought it in and there was an honest smart mechanic they would have charged me more than the $25 to clean the screen so at least I know I have a new pump and a cleaned tan as a galloon of bug m sheild stuff poured out and I flushed it from both sides. I would like to knwo what this black tar like gunk is an how it gets there. It just might be small debries over time.

[@mrcarterfx885]

For everyone saying " you only put water in it!" he is flushing the inside out duh....lmao smh

[@timvest8141]

No he's not just flushing it out with water. He is saying to only ever put water in it for use.

[@Lat10G956]

My wife's 2011 escape just doesn't pump washer fluid out at all. so I am going to assume it's the pump or now that I seen your video it might just be the lines clogged? but my rear jet does not work either. might be the pump? either way I'll check it real good. thanks again!

[@Blueguitar007]

Check your fuse and if that's good I would guess pump as both front and back do not work...as long as it didn't leak all the fluid out.

[@Blueguitar007]

If my fluid is leaking out right below the wiper tank, would that indicate a hose or filter is loose more than a cracked tank? That tank looks pretty sturdy to just crack. Does the pump ever leak yet still work?

[@TheDave5619]

I know this is a different vehicle but my 04 Colorado leaked the fluid days after putting a new gallon in. Found out the pump housing was cracked I replaced it and no more leakage! Hope it helps

[@jaybilawchuk2225]

So if you'd pull the pump Up and out first, you prob wouldn't have to fight or struggle with anything at all behind the resevoir?

[@runamuckretreatmccarthy1554]

Exactly what I was thinking. But not passing tips till I try it, lol.

[@electricritual4197]

An easier way is to just take the front bumper off

[@runamuckretreatmccarthy1554]

Even if you remove the bumper, don't you still have to detach the cowling wheel base cover from the bumper? Seems like you'd be doing extra work to remove the bumper too.

[@KillerMcDiller]

Dude are you seriously recomending people just use water instead of a product that wont freeze? Do you live in Jamaica mon. What makes you think this water system and pump is any different than your radiator. If it freezes in your area you better have a product that dont freeze in the reservoir, hoses and pump or you will be replacing all of those things. If you live in areas that freeze and followed this advice you will now have to drain you reservoir and put in windshield washer fluid.....duh!

[@mattbrown2607]

Yeah, I figured that was obvious. But, yes, I do live in an area where it never freezes.

[@runamuckretreatmccarthy1554]

He could be in FL. I am :0) LOL. Sorry, had to. You have a valid point though for those living north of The Sunshine State.

[@runamuckretreatmccarthy1554]

I actually am curious though, what solution is used up north for the washer fluid, that doesn't freeze, but also doesn't leave a film on the windshield? Vodka?? LOL