Windshield Fluid Pumps are CRAP!

[COBob'70 K-10]

Is it just me or is this normal? I'm now on my third wiper fluid pump in four years. They are truly a pain to replace. I'm thinking of switching to a universal electric kit setup. Unless, of course, there's a reliable unit out there that I haven't found yet.

[Sklptrljay]

Try a Scottish one!
Ba-da-bump-tish!!!

[Sklptrljay]

I'll fight you now!!!

[7tee]

Originally Posted by COBob'70 K-10

Is it just me or is this normal? I'm now on my third wiper fluid pump in four years. They are truly a pain to replace. I'm thinking of switching to a universal electric kit setup. Unless, of course, there's a reliable unit out there that I haven't found yet.

I ended up mounting a universal under the hood and wiring it to the old pump wiring, works great with wiper switch...

[leddzepp]

Get a universal one or a newer one from a junkyard. Your headaches will disappear.

[Lemield]

Originally Posted by COBob'70 K-10

Is it just me or is this normal? I'm now on my third wiper fluid pump in four years. They are truly a pain to replace. I'm thinking of switching to a universal electric kit setup. Unless, of course, there's a reliable unit out there that I haven't found yet.

I had the same luck with the original style pumps. I put a universal one on and wired it to my original switch...works awesome!

I think I bought the universal kit from LMC.

[In The Ten Ring]

I have this problem coming.....my washer pump hasn't worked for 30 years....that includes the 10 years of driving the truck.

Sticker place was very "flexible" on inspections. "Oh, you're paying cash? Pass."

[cleszkie]

I must have gotten lucky because my replacement pump has been working fine for several years now. However, when my original pump crapped the bed, I seem to recall finding a source for a pump rebuild kit, and almost went that route. I ended up keeping my original unit in case I ever decided to rebuild the pump.

[davepl]

I bailed on the original and went electric as well. Here's a tip that will save you many hours and days of anguish:

- Unless you are a genius and can route everything pure gravity feed, you need a POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT pump. The rotary vane pumps, which seem to comprise about 99% of them, CANNOT lift fluid.

Sorry for the shouting, I want to be clear. The rotary vane pumps I tried (3 of them) lacked the ability -even- to lift washer fluid out of the jar. That's like 4 inches at most. So find a pump with a good 8-10" lift capacity if you can.

I also tried cutting a pump-sized hole to do what is known as the "S10 mod" (search for it) with a factory bottle, which worked because it was gravity feed but I ultimately bailed on. I put the electric pump up under the fender so it all looks like stock jar, hoses, routing (mostly), and so on.

[truckster]

I put an S-10 bottle and pump in mine and it works great. It's easy to mount the bottle, and the wiring is easy as well. I chose to create a separate wire harness for my switch so I could put it back to original, but you can just splice in as well.

[cdowns]

I've used the originals with great results using new hoses and running them so they didn't kink had them last over 20years with no problems

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by cdowns

I've used the originals with great results using new hoses and running them so they didn't kink
had them last over 20years with no problems

Original is the way to go. For sure.
But I'm a dummy.

So, using the new rubber line for its own grommet, I attached it to the rez (1.) and ran it between the inner and the fender.

Where it came out I drilled a hole in the fire wall (2.)

Then, along the inner firewall and under the dash, I ran it up to the $20 Napa universal pump that I'd attached to the
WW motor...all inside the cab (3.)

I "Y'd" the OUT line and ran the supply thru two holes under the cowl to the wash nozzles (4.)

Save about six inches of black hose laying at the bottom side of the driver's side inner fender, it's all hidden away.

I can get at it if it leaks or breaks pretty easily without that knuckle skinning and neck relocations that seem to come with
messing with the stocker.

As we all know, the electrical just hooks up at the ww motor with two wires...routes to the WW knob so it gets used in
the stock manner. I use that same circuit for the electric choke.

That's just me.

[Andy4639]

Save yourself time and stress!
Go to local junkyard and look for a small GM vehicle and grab the washer jug with electric pump. Then look around for a vehicle with wiper nozzles and grab those as well. You will thank me later!
The wiper nozzle will make a full spray in the area you look out of!

[trac209]

Originally Posted by 7tee

I ended up mounting a universal under the hood and wiring it to the old pump wiring, works great with wiper switch...

Did the same the factory ones are dreadful

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Save yourself time and stress!
Go to local junkyard and look for a small GM vehicle and grab the washer jug with electric pump. Then look around for a vehicle with wiper nozzles and grab those as well. You will thank me later!
The wiper nozzle will make a full spray in the area you look out of!

That's looks exactly like a pump/bottle from an S-10. And the wiper arm nozzles are MUCH better. You just need to be aware that the original wiper arms are narrower than later models, so you might have trouble with the clips.

[Churchill]

What a fantastic idea, Andy! Where did you put the fluid bottle/pump? Stock spot?

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by truckster

That's looks exactly like a pump/bottle from an S-10. And the wiper arm nozzles are MUCH better. You just need to be aware that the original wiper arms are narrower than later models, so you might have trouble with the clips.

That could very well be sir!...S/10
Clips are no problem at all with a little hot water and a pair of vise grips they work great!
Heat up some water then grab the nozzle and vise grip around the arm. Let cool and your done.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by Churchill

What a fantastic idea, Andy! Where did you put the fluid bottle/pump? Stock spot?

Yes!