Windshield Washers at Elevation

[JediMcMuffin]

So three times now I've been up to Big Bear (~7000ft) in the cold, before leaving my windshield washers dispense just fine. At some point during the climb up the mountain, they stop working, and will only start working again if you add a bit of fluid even though it's still quite full.

Any ideas? I'm confused on this one.

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[MileHighCitizen]

Your lines might be freezing while driving if your not using the "anti-freeze" winter stuff? I imagine most CA dealers will put in the "bug/tar remover" summer stuff instead. When you stop residual engine/exhaust heat probably defrosts whichever line was iced.

Ive gone over 12000' and -15 with no problems using my wipers to clean off road brine every few miles.

 

[Boreal]

Ditto, @MileHighCitizen

Find some winter rated washer fluid!

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Ditto, @MileHighCitizen

Find some winter rated washer fluid!

I know what I topped off with up on the mountain was for below freezing. What doesn't add up is not working at all, then add just literally a splash and it starts working. It's almost as if it's got some kind of vacuum going on that the pump can't overcome. Last time we headed up it wasn't even below freezing yet and it stopped working.

 

[KABQ]

I know what I topped off with up on the mountain was for below freezing. What doesn't add up is not working at all, then add just literally a splash and it starts working. It's almost as if it's got some kind of vacuum going on that the pump can't overcome. Last time we headed up it wasn't even below freezing yet and it stopped working.

I've had the same thing happen at roughly freezing temperatures at about 6k ft. In my case I doubt elevation change is the reason though, since I live at 5600 ft. It was with the factory washer fluid, but it was barely below freezing. Not sure if this adds any insight other than a data point.

 

[MnLakeBum]

The short answer is CA has crazy VOC laws. Most counties/zip codes in CA are not allowed to sell the pre-mix fluid that is good below freezing. You can buy concentrate at automotive stores and mix your own or stock up on the pre-mix fluid when you are up in the mountains. I lived in CA for 20 years and it’s one of the many dumb laws I don’t miss.

 

[Moto26]

Or it could be the same problem many of us have had, even at 2500’ and 90°. The system seems to lose its prime or something. I had it happen 3 or 4 times the first few months I owned the Bronco, but *knock wood* it hasn’t happened in a while…

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Or it could be the same problem many of us have had, even at 2500’ and 90°. The system seems to lose its prime or something. I had it happen 3 or 4 times the first few months I owned the Bronco, but *knock wood* it hasn’t happened in a while…

That’s my thoughts as well. If the liquid was frozen adding fluid up top wouldn’t miraculous that an entire gallon of reserve plus what’s in the lines. Next time it happens I’ll take video

 

[Grift3r]

That’s my thoughts as well. If the liquid was frozen adding fluid up top wouldn’t miraculous that an entire gallon of reserve plus what’s in the lines. Next time it happens I’ll take video

I live on the western slope in CO, and this is interesting because every time I go into the mountains the same thing happens. I thought it was just the pisser outlets freezing but I will experiment with it. I go from around 4500 ft to 11k ft every weekend and I can confirm whenever I am up there it stops working.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

I live on the western slope in CO, and this is interesting because every time I go into the mountains the same thing happens. I thought it was just the pisser outlets freezing but I will experiment with it. I go from around 4500 ft to 11k ft every weekend and I can confirm whenever I am up there it stops working.

Awesome! Thank you! I am wondering if there is some kind of vacuum relief hose thats pinched somewhere? It's truly mind boggling. I'm now going to keep just a few ounces of fluid in a bottle in the back so i can unstick it.

 

[Grift3r]

Awesome! Thank you! I am wondering if there is some kind of vacuum relief hose thats pinched somewhere? It's truly mind boggling. I'm now going to keep just a few ounces of fluid in a bottle in the back so i can unstick it.

What you say is interesting about adding fluid. Like I said, I just assumed it was frozen and it always fires back up later, but when I go up to go skiing this weekend I will try it as soon as I get up there before it has time to freeze, I will shut off the car, then start it back up and try it, shut it of for a few minutes, etc. If theres anything you can think of for me to test let me know.

 

[Grift3r]

Well... before it has the theoretical time to freeze

 

[JediMcMuffin]

What you say is interesting about adding fluid. Like I said, I just assumed it was frozen and it always fires back up later, but when I go up to go skiing this weekend I will try it as soon as I get up there before it has time to freeze, I will shut off the car, then start it back up and try it, shut it of for a few minutes, etc. If theres anything you can think of for me to test let me know.

that's exactly what i thought, that it was frozen. i've had that issue before many years ago. I stopped at an auto-zone, grabbed a bottle of fluid rated for low temperature and began to pour it in, within about three seconds the bottle was overflowing. Get back in the car and boom, the washers work.

 

[flip]

Is the cap vent clear? This is a stretch but do you think it's possible the pump doesn't have sufficient suction and relies on more air pressure at lower altitude to help it draw? Can't imagine a few thousand could make that much difference but that or the plugged vent could be potential causes. Again, I'm reaching with the altitude theory.

 

[thesocalexplorer]

Happened to me too. My lines froze over when I was visiting Bishop, but I tried using my washers & blew out fuse 16. Rookie move from my end, I was running summer blend

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