FREE! Heated windscreen washers

[Aiketgate]

Hi again,
While I had the washer bottle moved during my radiator change, I noticed how long the washer feed pipe is and it gave me an idea.

If I lengthened the pipe sufficiently to be able to coil it around the radiator inlet hose, I would have a heat exchanger. In theory, when the inlet coolant heated up, it would pass heat to the washer fluid as it passed through my makeshift heat exchanger.
So, I spliced in about two feet extra and formed about ten coils around the coolant hose. I had some pipe insulation the right bore to enclose the washer pipe from the exchanger to the jets, and I covered the 'exchanger' in insulating tape, and here it is.

I know, Heath Robinson lives!
Thing is, it works!
David
ps My washer bottle had nasty filamentous black gunge growing in it, Urgh! So I took the opportunity to give it a good clean out as well.

[Reaper]

Great idea, you'd just have to wait a while till the coolent warmed up before using them on a frosty morning. Great British initiative!

[Aiketgate]

Update,
It may be a placebo effect but the warmer washer fluid seems to clear the flies and bird**** more easily.
David

[Petevick]

I was going to wait until this was tested in frosty weather before adding a link to my site, but with the added advantage, I may add it any way

[Aiketgate]

Originally Posted by Petevick

I was going to wait until this was tested in frosty weather before adding a link to my site, but with the added advantage, I may add it any way

TBH Pete, I did this on one of my first cars many moons ago, Ford Cortina mk2 1300 deluxe it was. Mmmmmmmm! Nice!
It did do the job on cold, frosty days back then, when cold was really cold, not like nowadays with this global warming.

Youth of today don't know what cold is! I remember walking to school through snow in 1963, week in/week out. It was so bitterly cold, my nose fell off, but tell the young'uns and do they believe you? No!
No namby-pamby central heating or double glazing in them days. Mam had to burn three of my brothers just to keep the rest of us warm.

Err Sorry........ Got sidetracked there for a minute!
David

[mgtf nut]

I think there might be a one way valve nearer the "T" piece?

If there is, why not remove it in the winter - 2 advantages, less to freeze up and when it does come through, it might be warm (when the engine is warmed up!!)

[designad]

Thats bloody impressive! Absolutely no use to me whatsoever, but impressive nonetheless

[Aiketgate]

Originally Posted by mgtf nut

I think there might be a one way valve nearer the "T" piece?

If there is, why not remove it in the winter - 2 advantages, less to freeze up and when it does come through, it might be warm (when the engine is warmed up!!)

There is indeed, mate.
AFAIAC, the disadvantage with removing it is that with all that extra piping it could be a while before the fluid gets to the jets, plus you wouldn't have any fluid in the exchanger getting nice and warm.
David

[Aiketgate]

Originally Posted by designad

Thats bloody impressive! Absolutely no use to me whatsoever, but impressive nonetheless

Fair enough, mate
But I thought you had a lot of flies Down-under. Could help clearing the squashed bits off the screen, or do you have a row of corks across your windscreen? Only joshing!

[Petevick]

Originally Posted by Aiketgate

There is indeed, mate.
AFAIAC, the disadvantage with removing it is that with all that extra piping it could be a while before the fluid gets to the jets, plus you wouldn't have any fluid in the exchanger getting nice and warm.
David

I've removed my 1 one valve for the reason Gerry mentions, however, why not reinstate it just after the heat exchanger

[Aiketgate]

Originally Posted by Petevick

I've removed my 1 one valve for the reason Gerry mentions, however, why not reinstate it just after the heat exchanger

It doesn't matter where the one way valve is, Pete.
Think about it.
David

[Petevick]

Originally Posted by Aiketgate

It doesn't matter where the one way valve is, Pete.
Think about it.
David

its too late to think, I'll try again tomorrow

[Petevick]

Originally Posted by Aiketgate

It doesn't matter where the one way valve is, Pete.
Think about it.
David

you would be right however, having thought about it, I still think it'd better without the valve, you'd still have water sitting in the exchanger as its lower than the water bottle (isn't it), so this water would be hot, and there would be no frozen water above it

[Petevick]

I did this today, and just for anyone else who wants to do it, the inlet hose is the one on the left as your looking down into the wheel well.

[Aiketgate]

Originally Posted by Petevick

I did this today, and just for anyone else who wants to do it, the inlet hose is the one on the left as your looking down into the wheel well.

Pete,
Doesn't that depend on whether you have the PRT or not? I think without that, the inlet is the bottom (n/s) hose.
David

[Petevick]

Originally Posted by Aiketgate

Pete,
Doesn't that depend on whether you have the PRT or not? I think without that, the inlet is the bottom (n/s) hose.
David

I've know idea, I suppose its best to do what I did and run the engine till a pipe gets warm

love the simely tho, better than

[Aiketgate]

Originally Posted by Petevick

I've know idea, I suppose its best to do what I did and run the engine till a pipe gets warm

love the simely tho, better than

Yep, actual practical experience beats theory every time.LOL

Smiley - care of Firefox smiley sidebar.

[Petevick]

Originally Posted by Aiketgate

...Smiley - care of Firefox smiley sidebar.

I have that but never come across the dunno one

[Loaky]

I think that's fantastic! If I ever have any reason to strip from the front down as far as that i'll definately do it, well done!

[Petevick]

Originally Posted by Loaky

.....If I ever have any reason to strip from the front down......

ermmm, no need to get that excited Jon