The directions (newtis) saying specifically not to use a needle. Alcohol is a good solvent.

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A friend of mine used a syringe and rubbing alcohol to unclog the nozzles.

 

If your nozzles clogged with caulk or with some sand from a tank, needle it is what you need. Just do it carefully.
you Could also disconnect them from bonnet, to make it easier, and bow hoses to make sure they are clean.

 

If your nozzles clogged with caulk or with some sand from a tank, needle it is what you need. Just do it carefully.
you Could also disconnect them from bonnet, to make it easier, and bow hoses to make sure they are clean.

This.
I cleaned mine with a needle after taking them off of the hood. When you put them back on, you can insert the needle and use it to aim the nozzles.

 

I guess it depends on what you put in your windshield washer tank. If you live in a hard water area then you might have a calcium or magnesium compound build up in which case alcohol isn't going to do anything. You could try something like a toilet or kettle de-scaler. Leave them to soak.

 

I've been using the thin wire from my MiG welder for decades.

 

OP, if you don't have a thin wire from a mig welder, you could find a local cave exploring supply store and use the thin wire from a carbide lantern cleaning brush. Honestly, a bristle from a toothbrush 'might' clear out stuff for you too.

 

I bet that they are blocked by wax! Use a thin wire with alcohol as noted above.

 

There's a good argument for using ONLY windshield washer fluid. Tap water is almost always too hard. Minerals accumulate and eventually can clog the smallish nozzles.

Take the E70 X5. The washer fluid bottle is under the right fender (wing). If you use water, you could build bacterial growth/sludge. The washers stop working. Get this, you have to remove the bumper, then the headlamp then the fender in order to clean out the bottle!

Yes wax is the most common.

 

but... but... .I LIKE bacterial sludge!

I DO dilute the washer fluid with distilled water, tho, because
we tend to have it around for radiators, etc...

Funny- the E36 says to use a needle or pin to aim the squirters,
but the E46 says it's verboten?

I use the 0.020 GMAW wire, too, or even just
a bristle off a very stiff wire brush.

And compressed air- if the container's mostly empty, you can
blow out the entire system from the nozzle backwards.
But sometimes a hose pops off if the factory clamps aren't on there.
The touring's a perennial pain to keep the hatch squirter working,
and it's one of the few cars I've ever owned that really needs one.

fwiw,

t

 

I always use washer fluid, preferably Rain-X, the stuff really makes a difference. But it's a 20 year old car and I have no idea what the POs used. I'll try the small gauge wire [I have .009 guitar strings] and some alcohol. Thanks guys.

Since we're on the subject; what about wipers blades? I need some and was thinking of ordering a set of Bosch blades from FCP Euro; they're cheaper than the locals chain stores and I can get a new set every year for the cost of shipping. Has anyone tried this? [The new free set every year thing.] What about Valeo blades, any thoughts on them? [Should I start another thread for this?]

 

Wiper blades are a consumable.
The single biggest thing I've found for longevity.....
Once a month take a microfiber with soapy water. Lift the blade and gently pinch while pulling through a few times. (Sounds good) You'd be shocked at how much road oil is on them.

BMW used to sell these little expensive one time use wipes.

 

I use plackers tooth picks and some acetone,
Works perfect with little effort

 

Op, maybe you should just replace the nozzles.

 

On some cars, after 2 attempts, we just replace.
Notin' worse than being behind snow grey spray and the washer clogged again. :0(

 

As to wipers, I do like the sillycone ones that were so plopular 15 years ago.

Never gave it a second thought until the E36 junker I used as a commuter came with them.
They lasted longer than the car- 5 years and 75k miles of PNW rain and smog
(yes, the Seattle rain is pretty yuck)
and finally wore out, still wiping well and having a little bit of the 'rain- x' effect.

The ones I use are PIAA, but I don't suspect they're any better than any other.

It maths out about the same- a set of rubber every 6- 9 months,
or the $30- a pop silicone version every 5 years.

I did use Valeo once on all our cars- 6 months, I was surprised to discover.

That's what I do,

t

 

For wax I'd use a solution with Dawn dish washing liquid, works great for wax removal, for calcium deposits I'd try soaking in vinegar.