Rear washer nozzle clean and adjust DIY

**MikeWire** · 12-22-2009 11:48 PM

I had a problem with my rear washer nozzles not spraying the correct pattern, so I went to adjust the sprayer jet with a small needle, and it broke off in the nozzle

So I needed to remove and clean out the rear washer nozzle - here's how I did it:

Remove the rear washer cover by pulling outward on each side - this releases tabs on the left and right, and then you can pull the cover off:

Then you can get to the nozzle. This can be removed by using a small flat blade screwdriver - put it right where arrow is and very gently and carefully pry on the nozzle, slowly working it off of the base of the wiper:

You will then have the washer nozzle base exposed and the nozzle and jets can then be cleaned:

There are two washer jets on the A4 Avant. They are a simple ball jet that can be adjusted by rotating it in the nozzle housing using a small needle. I found that the ball jets had seized in the nozzle housing and wouldn't move. So, after removing the part of the needle I had broken off trying to adjust it earlier, I soaked the entire nozzle in some RP Max Film.

This stuff kicks ass - better than any Teflon based lubricant I have ever used! It's about $8 for a small spray can, but little goes a long way.

Then using a pair of locking pliers and another needle, I worked the ball jets until they moved freely in then housing, and then blew it out with my air gun:

After it was clean and the ball jets were both moving freely, I put it all back together again, and then was able to adjust the nozzle spray pattern to spray the rear glass.

Then the rest of the car got a wash:

**CZA420tAvant** · 12-23-2009 05:40 AM

Nice write up...rep point for you my man!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 12-23-2009 07:52 AM

^ Agreed! Nice job Mike. +1 Rep!

**rjpeaks** · 12-23-2009 08:13 AM

x3

rep to you my man.

**MikeWire** · 12-23-2009 10:30 AM

Thanks guys!

After doing this, the wiper and jets work well, but I am thinking of getting the Euro wiper from DTH. I upgraded the front to Aero, and it was a world of difference. It would be an easy swap and wipe better. Does anyone have the rear Aero kit installed? Pics of the blade etc.?

**xattica** · 12-23-2009 09:21 PM

I have problem with the right headlight washer. After use, it get stock on the bumper and do not enter back again...

**MikeWire** · 12-24-2009 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by xattica

I have problem with the right headlight washer. After use, it get stock on the bumper and do not enter back again...

Sorry, can't help you there - I have not torn into the front washers, just the rear.

**IVRNGS** · 12-25-2009 07:51 AM

Excellent DIY...

**lookaught** · 12-25-2009 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by xattica

I have problem with the right headlight washer. After use, it get stock on the bumper and do not enter back again...

Probably cracked underneath. You can remove the cover by pulling up on it and ther are little pin detents that let the cover come off. Once off check the sprayer to see if it is loose, it should not wiggle at all. The whole assembly is easy to remove but you have to pull the front bumper.

Nice write up op, my one nossle shoots clear off the glass so maybe this will inspire me to go fix it. Stoopid car broke down and is just sitting in the garage anyway!

**Charles.waite** · 01-16-2014 02:31 PM

Glad I found this. Bookmarked for future use as my rear sprayers simply don't work. Hopefully its just a clogged sprayer...

**OverSpun** · 03-07-2014 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Charles.waite

Glad I found this. Bookmarked for future use as my rear sprayers simply don't work. Hopefully its just a clogged sprayer...

I think I have the same issue on my B5. I didn't even know that the rear wiper had a washer nozzle... I thought it was just for rain. I may have to take apart the back of the hatch to remove the nozzle.

**Charles.waite** · 03-08-2014 08:51 AM

Well two weeks back I dig into this. The pump was functioning properly so I popped the sprayer cover off and tried the sprayer again and fluid shot out of it. It was clogged sprayers after all. So I just cleaned the nozzles with paper clip and it is good to go.

Posted from my iPhone. Any misspellings are Siri's fault.

**MikeWire** · 03-11-2014 12:55 PM

Good to see this thread coming to some use

**Unbrolievable** · 01-27-2016 01:20 PM

Thanks!

**tdfg83** · 12-01-2016 09:11 AM

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but, along these lines, I removed the rear washer jet to clean and now it doesn't seem to fit too well on the nozzle. It seems looser than when I prized it off, so water is coming out from the bottom of the jet and pooling around the nozzle, with only a weak spray from the (now clean and descaled) jet. Any ideas how the jet might be fitted back more firmly?

**MikeWire** · 12-01-2016 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by tdfg83

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but, along these lines, I removed the rear washer jet to clean and now it doesn't seem to fit too well on the nozzle. It seems looser than when I prized it off, so water is coming out from the bottom of the jet and pooling around the nozzle, with only a weak spray from the (now clean and descaled) jet. Any ideas how the jet might be fitted back more firmly?

Not a problem at all. I'd say as a guess that either a.) the nozzle assembly has a crack or break which is causing it to not seal or b.) the rubber seal has broken and/or is missing.

Can you take a look at the nozzle assembly where it connects to the nozzle and get a visual on the condition?

**OverSpun** · 12-01-2016 06:16 PM

This reminded me that I still have not fixed my rear nozzle after 3+ years. But I have a B5, the OP's B6 may be different.

Sent from my iPhone

**tdfg83** · 12-02-2016 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by MikeWire

Not a problem at all. I'd say as a guess that either a.) the nozzle assembly has a crack or break which is causing it to not seal or b.) the rubber seal has broken and/or is missing.

Can you take a look at the nozzle assembly where it connects to the nozzle and get a visual on the condition?

Ah! That could be the problem then, I can't see a rubber seal. So that is a third part then, between the nozzle on the windscreen wiper base and the jet? Maybe it pinged off without me noticing when I prised off the jet? Any ideas where I can get a replacement seal?

**tdfg83** · 12-03-2016 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by tdfg83

Ah! That could be the problem then, I can't see a rubber seal. So that is a third part then, between the nozzle on the windscreen wiper base and the jet? Maybe it pinged off without me noticing when I prised off the jet nozzle? Any ideas where I can get a replacement seal?

Update to the above, there didn't seem to be any missing part, but perhaps I'd slightly damaged the jet nozzle when removing it. I got a new one and it pushed firmly back into place with no leaks. All sorted then!