Does the s type have heated windscreen washer nozzles ?

If it does how are they switched on ?

Thanks

 

Id if thought they would defrost from the engine heat? Mine hasn't got this. I actually had to change my fuse earlier because they was frozen and I tried using the washers

 

they defiantly freeze up, i had undiluted concentrated screen wash in and it still froze at the nozzles and on the windscreen wipers and windscreen, although once i put the blowers on just the windscreen it no longer froze on the windscreen but still froze at the nozzles and wouldn't spray

it was minus 9c (cold for england but warmer than some places)

 

Not according to the Parts Manual or JTIS.

Graham

 

Damn !!!!!

Does anyone know of any other heated nozzles from another car i could fit, mondeo and x type ones are the same (thread on .co.uk forum) but don't know about s type ones.

 

How old is your washer antifreeze? And what is it rated at?

The better brands in North America are rated down to -35*C.

If the antifreeze is old, the alcohol may have evaporated off. That is also the problem with heated nozzles as the heat would evaporate the alcohol while sitting in the jet and nearby hose.

 

I bought it that day.

I have just checked and it is only rated to minus 5 deg c, it says to mix 25% to water summer
and 50% to water in winter
or use undiluted in severe conditions.

The minus -5c must be undiluted.

I got it from asda/wallmart

I'll read the label more carefully in future. Doh !!! and look for some with a lower freezing point.

 

-5*C for "severe weather"?

That's a cruel joke on their part. What if someone didn't know, and pumped some on the windshield while at speed on a motorway?

At least now you know where the problem lies.

BTW, if at all possible, wait until a clear stretch and get your bearings before cleaning the windshield. That way if it freezes over or smears, you have an easier time maintaining your path of travel while you do whatever is necessary to clear the windshield.

 

I did, before the jets froze solid, i had to turn the blowers on just screen, and on hottest and fastest to clear it, while peering through a tiny clear but at the bottom of the windscreen.

I filled the washer tank to the brim with this stuff. Damn !!!

 

That bit would have been the bit heated by the grid designed to keep your wipers free of ice when parked. Or, at least it's an option on some the of the S's.

 

i think i have that, or at least a button that lights up to make me think i have it

 

I've used COMMA Xstream Screen Wash for some time.

Comma :: Products Guide :: Screenwash

Widely available from Motor Factors, surprisingly Halfords currently sell it at £3.99 per litre.

It's spec is down to -65 deg C when used at 100%.

Graham

 

That button operates the heated front windscreen on my S

I must admit I was wondering about heated washer nozzles myself yesterday!

 

I would have to question the functionality of heated washer nozzels. How would this keep the fluid in the rest of the system from freezing?

Living here in the frozen north, almost all our fluid is rated for -30*C or lower and is sold by every corner store in 4L jugs. Cheap too.

 

I think the heated washer nozzles work possibly because of the Shere volume of washer fluid in the tank would take too long to freeze and the heat from the engine would also help, where as the nozzles are on the outside and the volume of liquid to freeze is much less, then maybe take into account wind chill at 60mph and maybe evaporation. All I know is heated nozzels do work

 

While heated nozzles might be fine at just below freezing, they would actually work against you at colder temperatures. Elevating the temperature above ambient "boils" the alcohol out of the mix which raises the freezing point. Then it hits a windshield that is at a colder ambient than the raised freezing point leading to instant ice formation. What you actually want is a liquid that stays liquid at ambient. And that is better quality antifreeze.

In your situation, if you get some of the antifreeze recommended by GGG and siphon off half of what you already have, you can replace that half with the better antifreeze and end up with about -30*C antifreeze. You can either dump the old stuff or mix it into the remaining good stuff for a second jug of -30*C antifreeze.

 

i'll defo be getting some better screen wash !!!

 

The only heated systems I'm familiar with here in the colonies had the intent of squirting a single shot of warm fluid on a cold windscreen to help melt an accumulated film of frost or ice. The drawback was needing to wait 5 minutes or so after engine start for the fluid to heat. There was no intent to keep the 4L of fluid from freezing in the reservoir, the lines or the pump. Given the location of the reservoir, I can't imagine engine heat doing much.

Does your windscreen have the fine wires visible in the glass? If no, you don't have the heated version. By your description of peering through a small clear patch, I'm guessing not.

 

I think that switch was the front defroster but does the windshield have the fine wires like Mikey posted?

On my 2005 when I hit that button it turns the fan on high and directs 100% of the air flow to the windshield defroster ducts.
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i have not got the heated windscreen, i have had them fitted to a few of my fords, its the only thing i miss from them.