I'm getting quite pi$$ed to say the least. The last 3 days, I've left my house with the temp reading below 20 and on the side road I clean my windshield. I get on the freeway and reach down to clean the window (about 15 minutes later) and the washers will not spray. I'm supposed to have heated washer jets that should eliminate this problem!!!

Now the car can sit in the same temps all day at work and I'll get in at lunch and the window will clean fine. Can anyone give me some insight into why this occurs?

Is this something I should contact the dealer about? I don't think it's too safe at times to not see out the windshield.

I've got a 2005 Cabrio with the cold weather package.

 

In my experience the cleaner fluid the dealer puts in has no antifreeze. Get rid of it and put in a winter mix. When you go in for service tell them not to fill it - or be sure you fill it yourself.

Note that just dumping in some concentrate won't help right now - you need to get the good stuff up thru the lines. No real option but sitting there and pumping away for a couple of minutes....then washing the car.

(not unique to MINI dealers by the way ....)

 

I've filled it 3 times now. In the 7 months I've had the car, I'm a bit over 18,000 miles.

 

Mine freeze regularly - both front and rear. It's definitely lame, but nothing that can't be fixed with a quick pullover to the side of the road and a couple of gobs of warm saliva.

If, on the other hand, I had the supposedly heated washer jets like you, I would definitely be pissed. Don't spend any of your money fixing the problem by buying more fluid - let the dealer solve the problem for you. The less dealers are aware that problems like these are common, the less likely it is that anyone will get help with them.

$300 (or whatever it is) for the winter package, and MINI can't spend an extra 50 cents on decent washer fluid?

 

I have the cold weather package, and I've never had my jets freeze. You actually have to turn on the defroster (bottom left button on the auto climate control) to have them work, though, and they shut off automatically. So check, and if they freeze, just hit the button again to turn the system on.

 

I don't have the auto climate control, but you might be onto something with the defroster. I rarely use it, as I park in the garage at home and the rear window of the cabrio is basically unusable.

I'll try turning on the defroster tonight...

 

That should do it! I figured the system would be automatic, but my MA let me know it's tied to the rear defroster button.

 

The really cheap blue colored washer fluid that you can buy at your local discount department store for $1 only withstands freezing above 20' F according to the bottle of "Peak" brand fluid I am using right now.

This is not a MINI problem, it is only a matter of the chemical properties of a weak solution methanol and water. Get the winter stuff that is described for "winter" or "de-icing" and this problem should go away.

 

Concur

I don't need the defroster so long as I run a strong solution

same deal in my Miata - the plastic tube is right against the hood metal and the jets have metel tips. It is gonna freeze water ... no way around it until the engine heat gets to the hood. You need a solution that works in the cold .... WAY COLD. Cheap stuff won't do it; too much water in there...and when you put it in did you drain the system of water first? If no, then you diluted it. How often do you use your washers? Many of we AR folks don't like to mess our MINI by hitting the washers... You may have nothing but the original crud in there ....

I buy concentrate vs pre-mix and then even mix it stronger then the directions. Maybe not good for the wax but it'll Git Er Done...

 

Here in the snow belt of Ohio, you could use a washer every 50 feet if you wanted. ODOT uses salt like they're trying to resupply the Morton mine under Lake Erie. They've just recently switched to a watered down salt mixture that basically gets everywhere you don't want it. My Hot Orange MINI is basically white from the rear.

I don't think many stores here sell the "cheap crap" washer solvent, but I'll pick up a bottle next time (next week) of the really good stuff.

Thanks for the comments...

 

According to the manual, the heated mirrors and Washer Jets, included in the Cold Weather Package, are activated when the key is in position 2. No where does it say in the manual, that the defroster needs to be on. Mine have been frozen every morning for the last 3 weeks. In for service today, that's one of the things they are going to look at.

Steve

Quote from the owners manual:

"Heated windshield washer jets*
The windshield washer jets are heated
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2. "

 

Please update me on your findings... thom dot boles at gmail dot com

 

That's interesting. Maybe it's one of those programmable options? I know my mirrors won't heat up unless I turn the defroster button to on. Odd.

I suggest trying it, at least, just to see.

Let us know what the dealer says!

 

It makes sense that they won't heat unless the rear window defroster is on. You wouldn't want them heating all the time when the key is in position 2. Who needs it in the summer.

I clean my mirrors by hand before driving, and also the ice and snow around the jets, and usually only the defroster till the back window is clean. I will have to give it a try, maybe more than one timing cycle.

I will let you all know what the dealer says when I pick up the car.

Steve

 

I too have to struggle with Cleveland's winter salt bath and dread every day I have to drive in it. I live on the west side of Cleveland (Westpark/Fairview Park) and commute to the east side (Richmonds Heights) so I know what you are going through. Here is the thing, this is "Newt's" second winter (and last) and my heated washers have never freezed up. I have even noticed steam coming off of the streams of washer fluid when it hits the windsheild when I'm in a parked position, so I know the heaters work.

I have always read the heaters are on all the time along with the heated mirrors. I read a blog on NAM about when the heated mirrors activate and many people also thought these heaters were acitvated with the rear defroster, but I have repeatedly touched the mirrors in all different temperatures since last March. The mirrors are always warm/hot to the touch. Give it a try and you'll see.

A suggestion to you. Since you park your Cooper in a garage every night, you may be getting melted snow water on the tops of the washers and when you head out quickly on to the streets, I think that water freezes and blocks the ends. Later on, either the engine heat or sunlight may melt them later on. So, maybe dab the tops of the washer dry at night or use your washers for a few quick squirts before you leave the semi-warmth of your garage.

I know this was lengthy, but just thought it might help. Good luck and maybe we'll meet at a NEO Mini event someday. Hey, look on the bright side, the days will now be getting longer and your top will be down again! Cheers and Merry Christmas!

 

anyone in NEO notice that ODOT salts clear, already salted roads?

my washer fluid motor quit working recently, so i had to wire in a seperate button for that, but thats a bit OT.

i thought you had to have the defost on to make the heaters come on, since the mirrors arent heated till the rear defrost is on.

Prestone hasnt failed me yet. ive never had prestone freeze on me before.

now, about that freaking slush all over my mats that just sits there and freezes in the garage.......

 

The official answer from the dealer is that the washer jets and mirrors are heated all the time as long as the key is in the #2 (run) position. Just like the manual states.

Yes even durning 90 degree days in the summer. All BMWs work this way also.

My lines were frozen under the bonnet close to the jets, however, my jets were not being heated, there was a loose wire, now they are warm to the touch.

Steve