Windshield washer questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

beaterC10 · 07-31-2007, 07:29 AM

I am trying to get the windshield washer on my 86 working again and I need some help.

Does anyone know where I can get the rubber tubing that connects the wiper arm squirters to the fittings in the cowl? I tried the local parts stores and all they have is vacuum tubing, which is too large on the OD.

How long should it take for the pump to get fluid to the squirters? Mine takes several sweeps of the wipers before any fluid appears on the windshield. Newer vehicles seem to be quicker, wasn't sure if this is normal for an old truck.

Thanks.

**Zoomad75** · 07-31-2007, 11:19 AM

You probably have a worn out pump. You can buy a rebuilt kit at most parts stores. I've found on my 75 K5 that the mechanisim that drives the pump from the wiper motor can wear out over time. I've rebuilt mine a couple of times to only have it stick and pump whenever the wipers are on, or not pump at all.

I got fed up with it and swiped a bottle off of a 93 S10 Blazer with an electric pump from the junkyard. By using the wiring that controled the solonoid on the factory mechanical pump my electric pump still works with the stock switch. So from the dash it works the same, but now it pumps fluid 5 times better than the stock crap would. If I aim the squirters right I can shoot over the roof and hit the next car behind me at a stoplight.

sknights · 07-31-2007, 11:21 AM

I found my tubing at Ace hardware. Mine also takes a couple of passes before it sprays. HTH

beaterC10 · 07-31-2007, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the help. I'll try Ace on the way home this evening.

Srubydo1986 · 07-31-2007, 05:50 PM

autozone help section'

Prerunner1982 · 07-31-2007, 06:28 PM

Mine went out and I just wired up a cheap replacement pump, its louder but worked just fine. I installed it the same time I added the squirters to the wiper arms.

Srubydo1986 · 07-31-2007, 06:38 PM

mine would squirt over the hood and that was fun at car shows

beaterC10 · 07-31-2007, 07:46 PM

I checked Ace, Advance, O'Reily, Pep Boys, and Carquest and came up short on the hose. I found it in the LMC catalog and then I rummaged through my parts collection and found nicer wiper arms than were on the truck with good hoses and squirters.

I found a new pump at Carquest so I guess the problem is solved.

tyjoja · 08-01-2007, 12:50 AM

got a washer pump rebuild kit and tubing at LMC. fairly priced

**Phuloi68** · 08-01-2007, 08:29 AM

I got some hose from a GM dealer parts dept. It was cheap and the right size.

Ivan D. · 08-01-2007, 12:06 PM

Vacuum tubing will work, just get small diameter one - I got mine at Murray's which is in the same chain as Advance Auto and O'Reily - they sell it by the foot too, so buy as much as you want. There's no need for fancy GM hoses and such, as GoodYear vacuum ones work just fine.

07-31-2007, 07:29 AM	#1
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Windshield washer questions I am trying to get the windshield washer on my 86 working again and I need some help. Does anyone know where I can get the rubber tubing that connects the wiper arm squirters to the fittings in the cowl? I tried the local parts stores and all they have is vacuum tubing, which is too large on the OD. How long should it take for the pump to get fluid to the squirters? Mine takes several sweeps of the wipers before any fluid appears on the windshield. Newer vehicles seem to be quicker, wasn't sure if this is normal for an old truck. Thanks.

07-31-2007, 11:19 AM	#2
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Windshield washer questions You probably have a worn out pump. You can buy a rebuilt kit at most parts stores. I've found on my 75 K5 that the mechanisim that drives the pump from the wiper motor can wear out over time. I've rebuilt mine a couple of times to only have it stick and pump whenever the wipers are on, or not pump at all. I got fed up with it and swiped a bottle off of a 93 S10 Blazer with an electric pump from the junkyard. By using the wiring that controled the solonoid on the factory mechanical pump my electric pump still works with the stock switch. So from the dash it works the same, but now it pumps fluid 5 times better than the stock crap would. If I aim the squirters right I can shoot over the roof and hit the next car behind me at a stoplight. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

07-31-2007, 11:21 AM	#3
sknights Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 4	Re: Windshield washer questions I found my tubing at Ace hardware. Mine also takes a couple of passes before it sprays. HTH

07-31-2007, 12:11 PM	#4
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Re: Windshield washer questions Thanks for the help. I'll try Ace on the way home this evening.

07-31-2007, 05:50 PM	#5
Srubydo1986 The Crazy Machanic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nokesville Va Posts: 1,437	Re: Windshield washer questions autozone help section' __________________ 1986 Sliverado longbed 400 small block mean as hell, 700r4 trans (5 speed coming one day) 1970 chevelle 2dr sedan Latest update June 24 2007. *1957 4 door stationwagon - pink all original needing a good restore (body great, floors bad) newest additions 1965 shortbed fleet great granddads. Been told im nuts to bring it back from the dead (still going to happen) plans-all stock with a turbo 292 inline 3 speed column shift. and thats it big block 427 and 5 speed trans and ford 9 inch theyhave no home yet thinking what to put them in and a 79 c60 trash truck um no idea i have one

07-31-2007, 06:28 PM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: Windshield washer questions Mine went out and I just wired up a cheap replacement pump, its louder but worked just fine. I installed it the same time I added the squirters to the wiper arms. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

07-31-2007, 06:38 PM	#7
Srubydo1986 The Crazy Machanic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nokesville Va Posts: 1,437	Re: Windshield washer questions mine would squirt over the hood and that was fun at car shows __________________ 1986 Sliverado longbed 400 small block mean as hell, 700r4 trans (5 speed coming one day) 1970 chevelle 2dr sedan Latest update June 24 2007. *1957 4 door stationwagon - pink all original needing a good restore (body great, floors bad) newest additions 1965 shortbed fleet great granddads. Been told im nuts to bring it back from the dead (still going to happen) plans-all stock with a turbo 292 inline 3 speed column shift. and thats it big block 427 and 5 speed trans and ford 9 inch theyhave no home yet thinking what to put them in and a 79 c60 trash truck um no idea i have one

07-31-2007, 07:46 PM	#8
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Re: Windshield washer questions I checked Ace, Advance, O'Reily, Pep Boys, and Carquest and came up short on the hose. I found it in the LMC catalog and then I rummaged through my parts collection and found nicer wiper arms than were on the truck with good hoses and squirters. I found a new pump at Carquest so I guess the problem is solved.

08-01-2007, 12:50 AM	#9
tyjoja Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: albany oregon Posts: 168	Re: Windshield washer questions got a washer pump rebuild kit and tubing at LMC. fairly priced

08-01-2007, 08:29 AM	#10
Phuloi68 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 1,114	Re: Windshield washer questions I got some hose from a GM dealer parts dept. It was cheap and the right size. __________________ Phuloi68 Indy survivor Norwood survivor Big Sandy survivor for those who fight for it... F R E E D O M has a price the protected will never know.

08-01-2007, 12:06 PM	#11
Ivan D. glamoros piece o' lowlife Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Redford, MI Posts: 1,164	Re: Windshield washer questions Vacuum tubing will work, just get small diameter one - I got mine at Murray's which is in the same chain as Advance Auto and O'Reily - they sell it by the foot too, so buy as much as you want. There's no need for fancy GM hoses and such, as GoodYear vacuum ones work just fine. __________________ The more I drink, the more I drink, the more I drink... diesel, reg cab, long bed, 4 across the rear, single stack, wooden stakes, and lotsa lights - the Hay Express



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