I just put new washer hoses in and have been trying to get the old windshield washer pump (still good) installed into my new reservoir. What a PITA. To those of you who have done it, is there a good way to do this? I finally decided to bring the reservoir and pump inside in the AC and work on it in here. If I’m going to go crazy, I might as well be comfortable.

There is the pump, a rubber grommet, the reservoir, a plastic washer and the cone shaped nut-screen thing. The washer is supposed to go inside the reservoir with the nut-screen thing on top. I can’t get the nut-screen started. I tried leaving off the plastic washer and actually got it all together, but there was a slow leak. So I guess I need the plastic washer.

So, my question is, is there an easier way to get this contraption back together? I’m about tempted to leave off the nut and run a bead of silicone between the pump and the rubber grommet. Any other shortcuts to consider?

 

Hi,

Excellent question. Someone PLEASE answer this post as I am in the same boat needing to replace my pump. How do you get that blasted thing screwed toegther?

 

try leaving off the washer and using teflon tape between pump and reservoir . Just a thought.

 

Moderator, please feel free to edit if this is too wordy.

Well, this is how I got it to all go together. Working on it outside was not getting it, so I brought all the pieces inside. I washed the pump body and the grommet with soap and an old toothbrush. I needed a 7/8" deep well socket, a swivel, and an extension, plus one of those "claw" tools (the thing you use to pick up dropped items in inaccessible places). I had to reuse the old grommet because I couldn’t find the correct one in any of the catalogs I have, or Motorhaven.com. Lowe’s sells a grommet (manf. Hillman, 1-1/8” OD x 5/8” ID) for $0.71 plus tax, but it was about 1/8” too thick. My grommet didn’t look to bad, but I bought one from Lowe's anyway. New reservoir w/cap from Dennis Carpenter.

I installed the old grommet in the bottom of reservoir. Then pushed the threaded piece of the pump through the bottom of the reservoir. Then I grabbed my long screwdriver and let the plastic washer slide down the shaft and on to the threaded piece of the pump. I mentioned earlier that the washer made it hard to get the nut-screen piece started. To get around this, first I put on the nut-screen piece without the washer. This let everything seat together pretty good. Then I took it apart, put the washer on, and reinstalled the nut-screen piece.

For the life of me I cannot get the little plastic nut-screen piece started on the threads of the pump motor. What I wound up doing was using the “claw” to grip the top of the screen. Unfortunately this punches holes in the screen, but I’m hoping that since it’s at the top and the holes are not much larger than the perforations in the screen anyway, it will not make much difference. I used the claw to start it, and then would switch to the deep well socket to snug it down.

After all this, I still had a small leak. Tried the grommet from Lowe’s, but as mentioned above, is too thick. Even without the washer there is no thread showing to screw onto. Thought about going back to Lowe’s and getting about 4-5 more and trying to whittle or grind one down with a sander. Instead I got some Permatex RTV sealant and put about 1/16” coating on the bottom side of the clean and dry grommet. Let RTV dry for 60 minutes. Then, made sure the reservoir was clean and dry. Filled the groove in the grommet about ½ to ¾ full with RTV and immediately put it into the reservoir. Made sure the grommet fit smooth on both sides of the reservoir, then gave it about a half turn to make sure everything was coated. I could see a thin bead of RTV at the inside and outside edges of the reservoir. Let sit for about 2 hours. Leak checked setup in tub, no leaks. Installed on truck. I’m going to let it cure for a few days before filling with solvent. As I read the RTV label, it is supposed to be able to resist chemicals. Hopefully being immersed in washer fluid won’t dissolve it.

Last note. The new reservoir came with a new cap. The new cap will not stay shut on mine. I cleaned up the old cap, it fits much better. Also, the RTV silicone stuff stinks and will give you a headache. Do this outside and let RTV cure outside.

 

When my pump took a dump several yrs ago, I just went to auto parts store and bought a universal replacement pump. 12 bucks and 10 minutes later, I was back in business. Sometimes silicone will hold for awhile and then eventually leak. If your bent on using silicone on something to hold back water, use aquarium silicone.

 

I bought my OE pump from Checker. With the reservoir in hand. I held it upside down with the pump in place. The with a deep socket and extention I put the nut screen in it and tenuously balanced the plastic washer and rubber washer on top. Then holding the rigid extention by hand and holding my mouth just right, after a couple of tries I got the nut screen started without the other parts sliding off. I have replaced at least 3 pumps this way over the years and never had much problem.
Joe

 

I tried the way jherman suggested, but it just didn't work for me. The nut-screen thing was at slight angle due to the configuration of the tank, plus my swivel is a little loose, so if it was not straight up at 90 degrees it would fall over, causing the washer to drop off the end of the socket.

Baitmaster, I will have to keep an eye on the silicone I guess. Aquarium type silicone is a good idea. I just used what was handy figuring if it will work as a gasket type material it ought to work for this. Time will tell, but if I ever find a new gasket, I will buy it.

 

I will check mine to see if a straight extention will go to the nut screen. I don't remember using a swivel. However, run your extention into the tank and see about what angle the swivel should be and then put a piece of masking tape around the swivel with it held at the angle. This will still give will give you a little bit of both worlds ( swivel and non-swivel) and may do the job for you.

Also, I may have put a dab of vasoline on the washers to kind of help hold them in place besides just holding my mouth just right.
Joe