Windshield Washer line Question
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 9
Likes: 2
Windshield Washer line Question
Truck is a 2005 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew
Truck was in for an oil change at the dealer (only because the 5.4 is under warranty) and asked them to take a look at why the windshield washer fluid was barely spraying. Theeir diag was "Washer jets are spraying very little. Removed cowl and inspected, found plastic Y in washer line cracked and has piece missing. Will require new line, line is only serviced with new RHS cowl"
They want $438 to fix this. Seems very high! I will open it up after work and take a look but seems odd the whole cowl would have to be replaced?
Truck was in for an oil change at the dealer (only because the 5.4 is under warranty) and asked them to take a look at why the windshield washer fluid was barely spraying. Theeir diag was "Washer jets are spraying very little. Removed cowl and inspected, found plastic Y in washer line cracked and has piece missing. Will require new line, line is only serviced with new RHS cowl"
They want $438 to fix this. Seems very high! I will open it up after work and take a look but seems odd the whole cowl would have to be replaced?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 18
You have to remove the wiper arms - its easy, there is a release on the side of the adapter, and they are indexed so they go back properly. You're also missing the end gap covers. I've replaced my cowl assemblies because of storm damage from a big limb, and the washer lines came on it. Those end 'push pins' are standard and easily found. I have no doubt you could fix it without replacing the cowl assembly but without looking at in I couldn't say exactly how you would do it - it'll just be obvious when you take it off. If a 'T' is broken it probably got that way from using just water in the washer and it froze. If that happened, you're lucky the pump didn't freeze and leak. If you have to take the cowls off, its a great time to clean out the under-cowl area which is usually pretty dirty.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 506
You can buy Y's and generic line at the auto parts store. $438 is absurd. I've used vacuum line parts to fix an '04. So long as you keep it from freezing it should be fine?
The arms index for quick assembly at the factory but at least in CO it places them too low for my tastes. You can remove the key stock and index any way you like. I prefer up a couple notches so they actually benefit from where the defrost hits the glass. What a concept.
It's a myth the key is necessary for rotational loads. There's a zillion tiny splines for that. The key was just to remove the guess work at the plant.
The arms index for quick assembly at the factory but at least in CO it places them too low for my tastes. You can remove the key stock and index any way you like. I prefer up a couple notches so they actually benefit from where the defrost hits the glass. What a concept.
It's a myth the key is necessary for rotational loads. There's a zillion tiny splines for that. The key was just to remove the guess work at the plant.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 3
From: River Valley AR
I wish I knew how to take that estimate and your truck, and have your attorney general pull up to that shop in your truck for the repair.......
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 799
Likes: 13
From: East L.A.
The cowl end pieces are now available from several online vendors, and are pretty easy to replace. I just did my 2006 second set last month.
As others said, vacuum lines and fittings are CHEAP for the liquid line replacements. And the work is simple/easy.
Another culprit for washer fluid stream weak/not happening could be contamination in the washer fluid reservoir. I had to remove and flush clean mine out a few years ago. A little tedious getting the tank out, but not difficult.
bodabdan...Ditto!
$438????????? That shop charge $1500 for a tire rotation?
As others said, vacuum lines and fittings are CHEAP for the liquid line
Another culprit for washer fluid stream weak/not happening could be contamination in the washer fluid reservoir. I had to remove and flush clean mine out a few years ago. A little tedious getting the tank out, but not difficult.
bodabdan...Ditto!
$438????????? That shop charge $1500 for a tire rotation?
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