Fixing the Windscreen Washers on my Metro

[@Rust_in_Time]

It's a good idea to actually put a tiny bit of white vinegar in the washer bottle when you fill it up. That way it kills any mould and stops it sticking in the bottle and clogging up the washers. On my Triumph I do that and also periodically run a length of weed trimmer line or thick fishing line through the tubes up to the jets to clear out the mould.

[@Maddpunx]

I love the way most retro cars are so easy to work on, no washer bottle hidden in bumpers and behind arch liners.

[@fill7t1]

Total simple and easy motoring!. Modern stuff complicates things!

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Ed,for the washer bottle try a dishwasher tablet with water to clean it,maybe a idea,the new pump soon sorted the jets out.i usually use Halfords own windscreen wash,the berry one.

[@richardhemingway6084]

There is a lot to be said for using 'screen wash' fluid at all times. I found that by using just water, green slime grows in there otherwise, and clogs everything. The alcohol kills everything. PS. I like that you used a bit of 'Elbow Grease' on that bottle. Had to laugh.

[@10rGreenninja]

Absolutely right, you should ALWAYS have washer fluid in the system to avoid this exact issue.

[@10rGreenninja]

and the best way to clean it out is the use bleach

[@fill7t1]

Lol elbow grease is amazing! I use it on my car when cleaning plastic trim!

[@warrenny]

I gave a thumbs up just for Ed washing the windshield wiper fluid container in the dishwasher.

[@jonathanpeden9930]

Regarding cleaning out the reservoir bottle - try using gravel in with the water/detergent to scrape out all of the gunk while you shake the bottle.

[@maxeluy]

That works brilliantly i done it before with a couple of coolant bottles

[@sarkybugger5009]

Was looking for this comment. I use a couple of handfuls of sharp sand. Add just enough water to allow it to slosh about, then shake vigorously for a minute or two. No dodgy chemicals required, or your Mum's dishwasher tablets! Also, you should have checked the pump before you took it out of the car. Just pull off the hose, and see if it squirts all over the engine bay...

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

You'll scratch the container!! Please *DON'T* do that. Hot water with lemon juice (citric acid) to loosen the deposits over a period of time dependent upon the entrenchment, and the extent of the deposits, along with agitation of the solution in order to loosen the grime, will work ALOT more sympathetically with the plastics. Agitation, not abrasion.

[@jonathanpeden9930]

@@letsdiscussitoversometea8479 I disagree. Gravel or sharp sand will act first on the gunk long before it ever starts to affect the plastic, which is actually extremely tough. A few minutes of agitation will be fine. Even if the inside of the washer bottle were to be a little scratched it will not flake off and block the tubing or nozzle.

[@Zadster]

@@jonathanpeden9930 I agree with you. A plastic bottle of this age will be slightly degrading, it is semi-opaque already. Mild abrasion will remove loose particles of plastic that would naturally flake off over time and clog the pump or jets. Pebbles or grit would take a long long time to have a negative effect. As a kid we used to "tumble polish" stones in a plastic container, which bashed stones around for months on motorised rollers. Having said that, a cheap bottle of vinegar may well strip off the deposits which are probably calcium that has deposited out of the hard water.

[@Zadster]

The actual pump part is a squishy rubber star shaped device. They can easily wear or simply split, detach from the motor axle and refuse to spin around. So satisfying to see the bottle and wing top cleaned!

[@michaeltutty1540]

Well done, Ed. Personally the first thing I would have done is pulled the hose off the output of the pump and checked for flow. Always nice to get things right again. Little Melvin deserves it.

[@DjNikGnashers]

I had to do this on my M140i last month, the reservoir is hidden inside the wing behind the front wheel. Wheel off, wheel arch liner out, half the engine bay plastics removed, 4 hours of swearing and grazed knuckles. Wish it was easy like on older cars !! On the subject of a 'well known MG Rover parts supplier' and the price of a new washer pump being 'ridiculous', do you know how many people make them now, and how much demand there is for them ? That should tell you why they are expensive matey !!!!! Nobody is going to manufacture them to sell 3 a year and make a loss on the tooling. I work at the place you are probably referring to ;-)

[@TwinCam]

Judging by your comment on producers of said part, I don’t think your company is the one I’m referring to.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@TwinCam All of the companies who sell classic car parts use the same few suppliers my friend, hardly anyone manufactures parts now. They cost a fortune for the supplier to buy from the manufacturer. Fortunately, the company I work for, bought all of the MG/Rover old stock when it ceased business, wise move, and is also the largest Triumph parts supplier in the world ;-)

[@jetsons101]

In the past I have used the dishwasher to clean car parts and the oven to dry parts after painting them. Needless to say, I was banned from the kitchen for a few years, lol lol... Job well done.

[@oliverlotus]

My 23 year old MGF (mid engined convertible Metro) finally has an mot. Thanks for your enthusiastic videos!

[@philtucker1224]

A good way of cleaning any dirty (non foodstuffs!) canister/garden watering cans/water butts/buckets etc is to put in a couple of handfuls of garden-type gravel, a little water and then just shake rattle and roll the item until all the detritus is taken off. Tip out and give a good rinse. 😊👍

[@KonstantinosKandiliotis]

In order to make sure that the windscreen and the rear glass are properly washed, I fill the tank only with demineralised water and dishwashing detergent. In order to keep the water tank clean I add hot water and rice and shake well. 😁

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Best cleaner for washer bottles,mix up white vinegar with a little washing soda and clean warm water chuck in a few small ball bearings and give it a good shake rinse and repeat if required.

[@markonmotoring]

I love how visible and accessible that screen wash bottle is when situated in the car. Cleaning the bottle reminds me of my failed attempt at cleaning an old coolant expansion bottle.

[@RoxhamCottage]

Melvin is in excellent hands! I don't think I've seen a tidier engine bay.

[@alangodsman338]

My then 3 year old Civic which I bought with 1364, yes genuine mileage in 2017 Civic had a washer issue. The garage said they had to take the washer bottle out and jet wash it clean it was so crudded up with gunk. Probably still had the original water when I bought it and me putting new screen wash in probably caused the gunk to block the pump. Nearly needed a new pump as well. Entry level Fiesta in early 1990 I remember was £5,650 OTR. My Dad bought his last 340 from the local Ford Dealer then and I looked at the Fiesta myself as I had a Mk1 Fiesta at the time. It was a nice car at the time.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great little tinkering video Ed.

[@sherpafan033]

I hope you removed that screwdriver off the airbox when you lowered the bonnet!

[@AndrewKNI]

Great job Ed. Always satisfying when a plan comes together. The simplicity and ease of access of the Metro is fantastic. Just checked a UK converter website and £6,800 is approx £15,555 in today's money, while the wiper would be approx £460! I'm a great believer in using an additive in the washer bottle, it stops build up and freezing in winter. Happy motoring :-)

[@philnewstead5388]

I was in the motor trade on the service side for just over twenty years and had not come across a problem with the pump running and not pumping but since I left the trade I have had three failures such as yours. Unfortunately two on my 2008 XJ which needs removal of the front wheel, lower engine cover, inner wing liner and scuttle trim just to gain access to the bottle. The main reason washer bottles get clogged is that many people use milk or fruit juice bottles to top up and don't clean them out properly and you therefore get the build up of crap that you had over time, I would suggest you always use an additive as it can help break down any foreign matter you may inadvertently introduce, it acts as an anti freeze and it has a mild grease cutter in it to better clean the screen especially when the roads are salty.

[@badbooks476]

Great you got the washers fixed. Satisfying job getting all that cleaning done

[@milksheihk]

When uleaded petrol was introduced in Australia in 1986 Catalytic converters were not optional, they just had to be fiited to all new petrol/LPG cars from 1986 on.

[@johnhiggin7424]

Hi pal, put a dishwasher tablet in the bottle fill with hot water shake and leave. Bottle comes up like brand new.

[@OXOtwo]

Good to see you have solved a problem on your car and before long another problem will come along. The joys of owning an older car but we wouldn't have it any other way. Keep up the good work. I look forwards to more videos.

[@leed2883]

Best guess. Dilution of screen wash to low or just plain water. Water froze and broke the impeller. Screen wash prevents freezing and also that slime which blocks filters.

[@Richard-Bullock]

I'm glad you got it sorted without too much expense. I like my Micra's base model-ness too. No rear wiper for me, and only a single speaker AM/FM radio. I am fascinated by old car price and option lists. I still have one from my old 1998 Mercedes W210 E280 that I had a few years ago.

[@mikeg8835]

Ed , I was desperate to tell you to put a handful of nuts and washers in the bottle with the water and shake it about to loosen all the crud !!

[@east1666]

Filling and soaking in white vinager is a good option to help break down and clean the inside of the washer bottle.

[@philtucker1224]

Ed I think while you’d got the pump off, you may as well have connected it up to some water and just test it to make sure it’s a healthy pump anyways…

[@classic1989mini]

You did a good job with the washer bottle, have you thought about the expansion tank?

[@AndyJHiscock]

Interesting about the wiring. Remember by Y reg City had a full wiring loom installed. Spent lots of time installing a passenger side wing mirror, OMG roof line grab handle, split 60/40 sear seat, rear heated window, wash wipe, 2nd fog lamp, repeater indicators on the front wings, front seats with seat belt warning sensors and naturally an MG instrument cluster with VF clock and rev counter. BEL 816Y changed from a City to a VP ;)

[@RobsonRoverRepair]

That metro looks so fresh, and is a credit to you

[@garysimpson3900]

An overnight soak with bicarbonate of soda & white vinegar, or using a Sterodent tablet is a good way of cleaning. I have read that with modern BMW's their system can be sensitive to mixing washer fluids causing blockages.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Ed: A tip on cleaning the gunk out of that washer bottle: As well as trying different liquids - water, methylated spirit, thinners (if the plastic is compatible), add a cupful of rice - the long, pointy-ended stuff such as basmati. A good shaking with the rice and liquid should loosen the crap. I swear it’s the best thing for cleaning the grunge out of very tarry old bongs! (Of course a friend showed me that; I shouldn’t want you to think I smoke bongs. lol ) Health warning: Do not eat the rice afterward. ;-)

[@ejc7129]

Great video - always well presented and interesting 😊👍🏽 Your washer bottle would have come 100% clean with a white vinegar and a Bicarbonate of Soda solution. That would cause a cleaning reaction in the bottle and removed all the dirt without harming the bottle 😀 It needs a good rinse out afterwards and then its as good as new 🤩👍🏽🎉

[@peterriggall8409]

That sounds a good idea, will remember that one.

[@ivan747100]

For the CityRover, accessing the washer bottle involves removing the right front wheel well plastic liner AND the entire front bumper assembly, just in order to access it, if any of the two pumps fail. Not exactly a 2 minute job, like removing & refitting the washer bottle & pump in Melvin was. I speak from experience - been there, done that! Luckily I also managed to get a replacement washer bottle assembly - with the pumps & the flexi-hose filler neck - from a local breaker's yard - for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new OEM one!

[@ClassicTrialsChannel]

Use proper washer fluid, it will help with keeping the bottle clean. To many people just use water and that's the reason for mold n green slime buildup.

[@greerbox]

Another good one Ed. I echo the comment about using screen wash. Also you can use a ‘bottle brush’ to scrub the inside of the bottle. Get them from home brew kit suppliers. Was that your doggy contributing? Best wishes, Dave 👍

[@petedenton9434]

I remember my first car was 1990 Fiat Panda 1000S - was at least £1,500 cheaper than a Metro 1.1C!

[@williamwoods8022]

That was because the Panda was in the class below the Metro - the Mini class cars. The Metro was in the Supermini class and the Panda certainly wasn't.

[@anthonystevens8683]

If I recall correctly I had the same issue with my old 'A' series Metro 1.3L, the pump sounded fine but was about as much use at washing the screen as a fart changing the course of a hurricane. I changed it for a new one (they were expensive even in the 90's from Unipart) and all was well. I might be wrong but back in those days the same screen wash pump was used for both front and rear wipers but is span in a different depending on the wash. As I say I may be wrong (probably) but back in the late 80's early 90's I went through a few cars during my younger years. It might be worth a look on Melody as she is a similar age to the one I had.

[@razorsz195]

Had to clean the washers on my brother's '05 Clio, pipes had some moss blockage but one would still work, (likely from just water rather than actual screenwash by previous owner) the other had dumbledore's beard stuck in it somehow, but eventually it all woke up and started working again!

[@lucythemoggy1970]

get some screenwash in that water mate, will help clear road film off your screen

[@BRED510]

Weirdly back in the day when I had a 92 (J reg) Nova back in 2000 (my first car), it used to suffer with the same issue, the tank would clog up with mould and block the pump.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

ed you use that 'elbow grease' cleaner too! good innit!

[@mikeh2006]

Brilliant stuff

[@GenialHarryGrout]

A brush for cleaning baby bottles might help getting inside Melvin's washer bottle

[@grayfool]

It's the silly things that take all the time. I couldn't begin to count the hours I've spent chasing after all the intermittent faults on cars over the years. I don't think I even want to actually know!

[@vspencer9764]

I normally just chuck a Milton tablet in the washer bottle and leave it over night also I’ve just found out recently that draper makes tool (03322)which cleans washer jets and it’s only £6

[@andrewbarnes1295]

I wish it were that easy to get a washer bottle out of a more modern car!

[@kieranrichmond5864]

I wonder if your old screen-wash additive/anti-freeze may have been under strength and caused the pump impellor drive to shear through being frozen solid? That would tie in with the electric motor turning but not pumping.

[@neilrwilliams218]

The first owner of my 1.1C had the radio cassette and the rear wash wipe fitted. The tube came off the jet a few times leading to a lot of rust in the rear tailgate, so you might actually be better off without it!

[@kevinbarry71]

Most manufacturers figured out a long time ago it's cheaper and more efficient to simply use one wiring harness no matter what options are in the car. Rover, showing its brilliance, decided otherwise.

[@frothe42]

In my cars at the time, I always kept the windscreen fluid topped up. I don't ever remember having an issue with the pump. Other problems, yes, and with some of the vehicles, quite major!

[@2002ChrisK]

A mechanic once told me that the easiest thing to do for cleaning an old washer bottle was to put a hose pipe in it and just give a good blast.

[@stuarthall6631]

Had you previously had the washer bottle out of the car, Ed? The white paintwork looked very clean under there!

[@MakerfieldConsort]

I have just spent 19 minutes riveted to a video about windscreen washers. How? By the way, did anyone else have "Yakety Sax" playing in their heads during the speeded-up bit cleaning the engine bay?

[@thomash2806]

You need to get a bottle brush in there! ;o)

[@sydsnott5042]

Absolutely

[@dansilvester7790]

Did you check the grommet the mtor sits in? Very common to have a mesh here that clogs easily.

[@barryrathbone]

What was the price difference between the C and the L? If you’d have added radio, sunroof amd rear wiper plus 5 speed box to Melvin would it have been more expensive than the L?

[@mournfulmaurice2009]

Like you videos, keep up the good work. What is the name of that Cambridge based channel? Didnt get it....

[@MakerfieldConsort]

It's called "Morsels and Motors".

[@PhD63]

All the way through the video I’m going, just test the pump, test the pump lol.

[@Oldsmobile69]

In the future, just put hot water and a couple of dishwasher tablets in it and let it soak.

[@sen5908]

Hello how much was a passenger mirror on your price list, I had to pay for one and 5 speed transmission as extras on a H reg from new 👍👍

[@fill7t1]

I like the extras, if you want a cat. If you WANT a cat. That's laughable! It's cheaper for a 5 speed box 😲

[@KiwiStag74]

I can see why the original owner went for a sunroof over a rear washer / wiper if the sunroof was more or less the same price! Sheesh, that's expensive. I also reckon if it was a toss up of a rear wiper or chucking in an extra 50 quid and getting a 5-speed box, I know which one I'd have done myself! .....and haven't the cost of car stereos come down since then, eh? Back in 1991, the GBP was worth 3x the NZD, so the top-of-the-range 4-speaker stereo would have been the equivalent of a $1500 option over here....and I know for a fact that I could get a decent CD player and 4 speakers for that at the time and fit it myself, because I did just that to the car I owned at the time. CD players in cars were still fairly rare and expensive, but I knew a wholesale reseller and got a good deal on a single disc Alpine system and a pair each of 6x9 and 6" Pioneer speakers for the money. Nowadays, you can pick up the equivalent quality units, and the head deck with way more features and grunt, for half that. I agree with some other posts on here that suggest an additive in the washer's water. I use Bars Bugs - always have - and this not only clears the screen of the usual crud, but also the road filth (exhaust fumes, oil, minute rubber particles) and the residue of any wax on the screen, providing a much clearer wiper sweep....which is especially noticeable during night driving. The washer bottle stays clean and so do the lines, but it does not stop the build-up of a calcified deposit in the washer jets over time. This is easily remedied with a pin or needle when needed though, so no major.....and I think it is more to do with the water quality / additives they stick in our drinking water to make it potable than a side-effect of the washer additive itself. As to the flaking of the crud inside your washer bottle after the dishwasher cycle, I'm picking it was due to the residual heat in the plastic that separated the big chunks. You may have found that letting it sit to dry in the sun for a few days (or if placed in the cupboard with the house's hot water cylinder), that you would have got the same effect after rinsing out the lumps each time. Just an additional tip to try if it happens to you again. Prices of replacement parts for classics also appear to be random in some instances - I can get a washer motor for my Triumph 2500S for $15, yet a foot long piece of wire with two connectors on either end (to run up the gear stick for the overdrive switch) is $35. Go figure!

[@JimmyThomasjtpro14]

I have to say I definitely would of optioned a sunroof over a rear wiper for the same price any day of the week.

[@arthurdardalis]

In all my cars throughout my life, I’ve always kept the washer bottle full and with screen wash, the bottles have always been spotless internally and I’ve never replaced a washer pump and all of my cars had headlamp wash also.All that filth in yours is from using plain water which has gone mouldy.

[@brianwilson245]

I do not know if that is a Lucas pump but the Lucas windscreen washers of old always had impellor problems. I hate to think how many I replaced at exorbitant prices. My thought with them was that possibly the impellor material was not compatible with windscreen cleaner fluid. Either way they were/are complete rubbish

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Ok, ok, I understand why you won't be fitting a rear wiper! Hahahah. It sounds odd to me that a catalytic converter would be an option. Since the introduction of unleaded fuel in Australia in 1986 all cars had catalytic converters, even my AE82 Corolla 1.6 Carbie. If they had given Australians the option of a CAT, nobody would have got one! Nice washer cleanup. I don't know what that stuff is that gets in washer bottles but it is a real bugger to clean out. As least the bottle was easy to remove. Cheers.

[@maxeluy]

245 for a 5 speed gearbox is a no brainer

[@red9zero]

Were you on the Metro OC stand at the NEC yesterday ?

[@jo_clarke1960]

Bugger, and there was I hoping for a cheap n easy fix. I remember the days of using parents kitchen to clean car parts or even worst dining room table to rebuild them, Mother used to go bonkers 😁. I had to do one on mine (only a couply of years newer), and it was located under the bottle. To remove it required most the passenge side engine bay to be removed, the pump was a fortune, so a secondhand pumoand bottle were fitted. Ho, how these small little runners are so much less complicated. Don't understand why someone would specify a sunroof over a rear wiper, which is a safety item though...😕

[@hhgttg69]

also check the one way valve in the line.

[@arthurdardalis]

Whilst you’re in there… I would have cleaned that filthy expansion tank as well.

[@terryatkinson899]

U put the popcorn kernels you use in a microwave into a washer bottle and shake it vigorously and all the crap will get knocked off inside the bottle when emptied.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

what about vanish oxi action powder ed? that should lift all the other crap out

[@mikeenglish6401]

Hi Ed Pleased your step-by-step trouble- shooting was successful. Hope your parents were happy with the dishwasher being used to clean and de-grease parts of your car! 😄 Mike

[@AndyJHiscock]

Pop the dishwasher tablet along with hot water into the washer bottle, works wonders and leave it for a few hours giving it an occasional shake

[@philtucker1224]

OMG! You’ve just reminded me of a time (40 years ago now) where we went to stay at my older Sister’s for the weekend. My wife found at that my sister used to regularly put the baby’s potty in the dishwasher to give it a good clean! (For some reason we haven’t stayed there since ha ha!) 😂🤣

[@AndyJHiscock]

@@philtucker1224 Practical Parenting? ;)

[@vtskid86]

I don’t know if you noticed but when you took the bottle out, the pipe that ran underneath/ around the back was flat… Assuming it’d been crushed between the bottle and frame?

[@roberttaylor6295]

\i enjoyed a usual but i have question. Being an old codger I am not on social media and I seem to be missing some of the videos. Asa fan who enjoys the series, how ca n I access past and recent videos, like the Volvo you mentioned? Regards Rob aka Tony

[@shadow_zak359]

Subscribe to this channel and all the videos are listed in VISIT CHANNEL top right corner

[@davidwilson7579]

Bicarbonate soda Great to clean that bottle

[@barryjohnson127]

Put some screen wash in the water for godsake.🤔

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

It's always possible that an impeller can simply deteriorate over time - particularly if it's subjected to concentrations of foreign substances within the washer bottle itself. Hard water could wear out the impeller much faster, as could algae in the water which clings to the pump.

[@porscha901]

I'm in sevenoaks. Not far from tonbridge

[@5tevenH]

Get nuts and washers in it next time

[@HIOP0]

Still clearly illustrates the incredible value that the Dacia Sandero was at launch in 2013. As with this Metro, the base Sandero cost £5,995, 22 years after your C trim level Metro cost £6,790 . The Dacia is a full class size larger, 5 doors, not 3, carries the mandatory, expensive safety and emissions kit and...has a rear wiper fitted within that price. It only went up to £6,995 a while later and continues to offer new car budget ownership at its best. Those who disagree are welcome to reply with facts to support your pov.

[@williamwoods8022]

Dacia are good cars because they based on old Renault's - so you cannot compare Dacia's to mainstream cars such as Metros back then because BL etc like most other car manufacturers had to spend hundreds of millions to design and develop news cars and then price the cars to get that development and tooling money back and also to pay higher wages and prices etc for the parts/metal etc that goes into building the cars. With Dacias they are built in a cheap wage and supply economy and most of the car and engine etc underneath has already been manufactured for a long time and not even used by Renault any more so the tooling already exists and has long been paid off and it is just the outer panels that new tooling has to be created for. So easy to make cheap new cars in cheap countries and sell them in richer countries when most of the car already exists.

[@sydsnott5042]

Don't just use water, add a proprietary windscreen wash as it not cleans better but reduces crap build up in the washer bottle.

[@TwinCam]

No point using washer fluid if it needs to be drained back out again. That’s just wasteful. As it did before I started, it now has washer fluid back in it.

[@plym1969]

What did mum say when you put it in the dish washer?!?!?😀

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

I'll tell you what *_I_* would've said... Load the dishwasher up FULLY with unclean crockery and cutlery as well *before* starting a cycle. And clean the cap properly too - it's covered in Washing up liquid backwash. But then, I love being thorough when doing EVERY kind of job!

[@autoknight747]

Quite common for the water in the washer bottle to go bad if washers are not used much. When I was a Vauxhall dealer tech it was usually a tiny rubber filter/grommet that the pump pushed into that used to block up. Sometimes the washer fluid would smell like vomit and I hate to think of the bacteria causing that. The hot engine bay causes the ideal breeding ground for nasties 🦠 Can get the end of a steam cleaner lance in the bottle to give it a blast.

[@HIOP0]

Bit puzzled as to why you disassembled the items and removed , when you might have read the honestjohn column advice...get a high pressure hose/lance and direct the water into the bottle until it runs clear. As you then stated, not the issue at all. Believe the sunroof is aftermarket, as factory fitted flush, with no protruding fixings/covers.

[@plym1969]

I'm a bit puzzled as to why you would think that Honest John would be people's daily reading.

[@HIOP0]

@@plym1969 Oh hello fill. You must have carried out a nationwide survey on this, just in the previous half hour or so?. Given your inane irrelevant, unimportant comment, it's hardly surprising that this and most if not all of life, is somewhat a puzzle for you. Hope that helps. :)

[@Keithj136]

OMG £35 😮 for a pump.