front windshield washer nozzle not working

[plum]

Hi everyone - I was wondering for those that live where there is frigid winters, if any of you have experienced issues with the front windshield washer nozzles not giving up washer fluid in the winter? I noticed it today on the way home from work - in the garage where I park the washer fluid came out fine - it's not a heated garage, but it's an underground garage and the temperature is not freezing. While driving the washer fluid came out fine, then just stopped working. The rear windshield fluid comes out just fine, the reservoir is full and the motor is ok - i can hear it and the rear fluid comes out. We tried poking the nozzle holes with a needle to get any crud out, but nothing. I'm in Chicago so it's freaking cold tonight (below freezing.) I don't think this is a defect, but wanted to check if anyone else in a really, really cold part of the country has had this issue - I'm wondering if it's weather related or air in the line or some other easy to fix thing or if it's a retro 70's feature easter egg Nissan sneaked in? (Last part just kidding...) Thanks.

[ilou812li]

im in chicago too, i had that problem earlier in the winter, it might just be that the nozzles are frozen, all of my nozzles ( front and rear ) were frozen.My solution to it was i had the prestone de-icer around the garage, sprayed some on the nozzles and let it soak over the night. Next day they worked. Who knows if its the same problem though.

[alonsorules8]

I have the same problem when I was in Watertown NY yesterday. It seems that the nozzles are metal and are very prone to freeze up with temps below -10 degrees F.

The solution is to use de-icer in the washer fluid reservoir.
Modified by alonsorules8 at 4:10 PM 1/18/2009

[frankoV]

October through the end of April here!

[SpeedyV09]

It doesn't sound like this is the problem but make sure that your windshield washer fluid is rated below 0 I think you said de-icer but I know people who don't use low temp windshield washer flud and ended up freezing the nozzles pretty badly.

[aleg1975]

we've been having that problem too. hubby took it to the dealership x-mas eve. they looked at it, found nothing wrong, and flushed the lines.Still didn't help, worked intermittently for a week, and then it was fine...until today.

[VersaMG08]

I never have issues with the front nozzle sprays clogging up, it can get down to -25 F in CO during record low temps.

If you guys are having problems, you should always check the products you purchase for your washer fluid. Check for the freezepoint, compare products and get the one you need for the job. Also, make sure there isn't any dirt, or sand in the washer pubes under the hood that may be the cause.

Another product called PEAK blue wash for your windshields has different MSDS formulas, verify to see which one works best. Here is a link http://www.peakantifreeze.com/peak_bluewash.html

The lowest freeze point I see at stores is the Prestone washer fluid. It can be used down to -34 F, can be bought at Walmart, Target, Autozone, etc.



They work good IMO, you ought to give it a shot.

[matttail]

Prestone is the only stuff I'll buy during the winter. I always love it when you're at a gas station and they have a big display of washer fluid that says it's good to -20 F or whatever, the temp is 10 degrees and it's solid. If you have washer fluid freeze on the windshield while you're driving down the highway and you'll want to make sure you've always got the good stuff in your car.

[plum]

thanks - the spray de-icer on the nozzle trick didn't work for me, but then again, I park my V outside. anyway, I haven't filled my washer fluid since buying it last September, and I guess when I took it to the dealer for it's regular maintenance, they didn't use washer fluid that can withstand -30F. It has to be the dang fluid so I'm going to fill up the washer reservoir with some of that prestone stuff. Does anyone know how to empty the reservoir other than using it through nozzle? I guess I can just sit in my car and use up the washer fluid until it's empty? any easier way to get the stuff out.

[Trecky]

The thing I don't understand... I'm using Rain-X De-Icer windshield washer rated -25F for several years now, 8 years with my 2001 Xterra with no problems and I've pass my first complete winter last year with the Versa with no problems, but this winter, in my garage everything is ok, but after 5 minutes on the road, no juice front or back.

One other weird thing, when I try to spray some juice after more than 30 minutes in the cold, if the wipers starts, they would not stop until I stop the car for several minutes...