Windshield Washer Freeze
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
First, wind chill does NOT lower the temperature. A popular misconception. Wind chill is a measure of how fast an object that is at a temperature above the current ambient temperature will cool down to ambient. If the temperature is 20 degrees and the wind chill is -20 degrees, objects will still be no colder than 20 degrees. They'll just get there faster if they were warm to start with or if, like your nose and ears, they can't supply enough heat to remain above freezing.
As to windshield washers - the inexpensive washer fluids are primarily alcohol based. The alcohol in the washer nozzles evaporates leaving water and pretty blue dye which then freezes into a plug in the nozzle. Use one of the washer fluids like Prestone and others make that rely mainly on ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. They don't evaporate as readily. I switched years ago for the same reason and haven't had a freeze up problem since.
As to windshield washers - the inexpensive washer fluids are primarily alcohol based. The alcohol in the washer nozzles evaporates leaving water and pretty blue dye which then freezes into a plug in the nozzle. Use one of the washer fluids like Prestone and others make that rely mainly on ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. They don't evaporate as readily. I switched years ago for the same reason and haven't had a freeze up problem since.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 17
From: New Castle, PA
Mark me up as one more solved with drilling out the check valve. It's been freezing up on me when the temps get below 30*. Pulled the valve drilled it out, sprayed it and let it sit all night in about 25* and it worker just fine this morning
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 17
From: New Castle, PA
Pop the hood, go to the passenger side of the cowl, you will see 3 clips holding the front of the cowl down, pop those three clips and most of the rest of the cowl will be able to be popped up. You will see the washer fluid line running into the cowl on your extreme left, follow that line until you hit a tiny check valve. Pull it out run a drill bit through it, pop it back in and your good. Took a whole 10 mins.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 17
From: New Castle, PA
I don't even know what size I used, I just grabbed one that was a little smaller that the tube sticking out of each side of the check valve.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Well I've had trouble since last year with the windshield washer not spraying when temps went below 30f. Thanks to all and their suggestions other than those saying the fluid was bad 
. I went to the dealership to pick up a new check valve as I am concerned that the timing of the washer pump and the wiper would cause the wiper to go over a dry salty sandy windshield if the tubes are filled without the check valve. Can't buy just the check valve, had to order the full assembly, only about $15.
It was about 28f on my normal 1 hour commute yesterday and hit a nasty snow squall and you guessed it, no washer. Luckily, I have a boxed assortment of vacuum connectors (because of a vacuum, 4wd, actuator issue I am having
) and replaced the check valve with a connector and it works perfectly now.
. I went to the dealership to pick up a new check valve as I am concerned that the timing of the washer pump and the wiper would cause the wiper to go over a dry salty sandy windshield if the tubes are filled without the check valve. Can't buy just the check valve, had to order the full assembly, only about $15.It was about 28f on my normal 1 hour commute yesterday and hit a nasty snow squall and you guessed it, no washer. Luckily, I have a boxed assortment of vacuum connectors (because of a vacuum, 4wd, actuator issue I am having
) and replaced the check valve with a connector and it works perfectly now.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 1,240
From: San Antonio, TX
25f in sunny South Texas this morning. Went to spray some fluid on my frosty windshield, and only the driver side worked, then nothing.
Last time I put fluid in, I just used the cheap Walmart brand. Before that, I used Prestone or RainX and never had any issues. It doesn’t get below freezing much here, so it isn’t that big of a deal.
Last time I put fluid in, I just used the cheap Walmart brand. Before that, I used Prestone or RainX and never had any issues. It doesn’t get below freezing much here, so it isn’t that big of a deal.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
I was in MN this time last year and the washers froze up with good fluid in the tank. When I left EGF nothing thawed out until I was 1/2 hour out of Louisville, KY. I got home ordered up a thermo controller, washer fluid heater and heated nozzles. A little wire, a 40A relay, fuse block, some multiple pin connectors and unfortunately a capacitor to get rid of the PWM noise from the fluid heater that emanated out of the stereo and no more problems. Is this overkill? Nope. It has not happened since and that heater fluid really does a great job of clearing the windshield with out having to scrape. Also, think about the Ford fix of drilling out the check valve. The check valve is placed as close to the nozzles as possible to prevent runback and the delay in the fluid hitting the windshield that occurs from the run back. When you drill it out it is no longer a check valve.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 817
Likes: 53
From: houston
When they started making the pumps smaller (cheaper) and putting in a check valve. Plus changing the windshield solutions to be more environmentally friendly.