[WD40]

“How To” – Windshield Washer Pump R&R

An update to my thread.
Pump was bad, so I thought,
"Hey...I'll bet FF would appreciate a "How To" on replacing it". []

Here ya go:

Not the easiest of tasks.
Actually, it’s not hard mechanically wise, it’s what you have to remove to get to it.

Tools required:
8mm and 10mm sockets.
T-27 torx bit or driver.
Phillips head screwdriver.
Standard head screwdriver.

1) Jack up car, support with jackstands, and remove the Driver’s side front wheel.
2) Locate the fender liner fasteners.
3) Remove 4-screw clips, 1-torx head screw, and 1-8mm hex head bolt.
4) Remove the Liner:
a. Push in on the liner to pull it off the upper fender tab.
b. Pull liner away from front of fender.
c. Pull liner away from rear of fender.
d. Squeeze liner at the ends, and carefully remove it from the fender area.

Green arrows – plastic screw clips
Yellow arrow – T-27 Torx head screw.
Red Arrow – 8mm Hex head bolt.

 

[WD40]

Here’s the tools used, and the fasteners removed.

 

[WD40]

Here’s the reservoir, hoses, and pump.
Keep note of the wire and hose routing.

 

[WD40]

Lets get ready to pull that pump out!

1) Remove the 10mm hex head bolt (see above pic) from the bottom of the reservoir.
2) I supported the bottom of the reservoir with a jackstand, so there wasn’t too much stress on the upper mounting bolt which I didn’t remove.
3) Note the routing of the lines and electrical connection.
4) Remove the two rubber hoses from the bottom of the motor, and route them out of harms way to gain access to the pump.

NOTE:
Get a bucket or other suitable receptacle ready to catch the remaining washer fluid in the reservoir which will run out once the hoses are removed.
(You can see in the pic, mine was mostly drained out already)

 

[WD40]

Last step - pump removal.

1) Using a medium sized slotted screwdriver, carefully pry the electrical connection retaining clip off.
NOTE:
Be careful!
Have you’re free hand ready to catch the clip, or you might have to go looking for it like I did.

2) Gently pull the pump to remove it from the reservoir.
I found it easier to use a top to bottom rocking motion to free it up.

 

[WD40]

Here’s the old and new, with the retaining clip.
Note something missing on the new pump? Yep…that padding material.
I carefully peeled it off the old pump.
There was plenty of “stick” left in it, so I just put that padding on the new pump in the same location.

 

[WD40]

Installation of the pump is a reversal of the above procedures.
You definitely need that padding (or equivalent) or the pump will not fit tight to the recess in the reservoir.

Here’s the new pump installed, with the hoses and electrical connection attached.
I put in just enough fluid to test out the pump.
Yippeee! I gots me some windshield washers back!!!

After testing the pump, and making sure your hoses are routed properly,
reinstall the attaching bolt at the bottom of the reservoir.

 

[WD40]

So, now you just have to reinstall the fender liner.
Here’s how I did it.

Liner:
1) Squeeze the ends, and place it inside the fender.
2) Place the rear of the liner in position.
3) Place the front of the liner in position.
4) Carefully insert the top of the liner onto the upper fender tab.

Liner Fasteners:
1) Install just the base of the 4-screwclips in place.
2) Install the rear bolt till almost tight.
3) Install the front screw till almost tight.
4) Check the fitment, and adjust if necessary.
5) Tighten the front screw and rear bolt.
6) Install the Phillips head plastic screws into the screwclip bases.

 

[Lil PZEV]

Thanks Doug! Nice convenient place they put that reservoir/pump huh?[]

 

[S2]

Did you add this to the HOW TO ARCHIVE yet Doug? If not, go ahead if you want or let me know and I'll add it in.

 

[WD40]

No I haven't added it yet...been on vacation. []
Turned out to be a little longer than expected, and man, did I need it!

And, the wiper-washers worked flawlessly the whole trip. []

 

[malibutexan07]

How do you remove the screw clips?

3) Remove 4-screw clips ...

Green arrows – plastic screw clips

How do you go about removing these screw clips? I tried unscrewing, nothing. I tried pulling on the plastic using a flathead screwdriver, nothing. I tried pulling on the plastic using a flathead screwdriver while trying to unscrew the screw, nothing.

Surely there is a quick and easy way to remove these since they are everywhere in the car.

Any help is appreciated! I am trying to get to the windshield wiper reservoir and tubing to determine where after the reservoir there is a leak. These buggy screw clips are in my way. =)

Best,
Chris

 

[sailor]

Small screwdriver to get under the head of the screw (not the whole clip) helps with pulling the plastic screw out, then the clip come out easily.

They're like wall anchors, where the screw stuck in expands the petals in the back.

Threads on the screws aren't always that great, pry & unscrew helps. I've used a pick to help get them started coming out when I couldn't get a small screwdriver in there. Once you can move them out at all, if they aren't unscrewing pulling the screw part out often works OK. Screws are a push in when installing, pull out is OK once you can grab the head.

 

[malibutexan07]

Lets get ready to pull that pump out!

1) Remove the 10mm hex head bolt (see above pic) from the bottom of the reservoir.

I'm trying to get this hex bolt out, but it's not coming out. Is there a certain way this one is supposed to be removed?

 

[malibutexan07]

Small screwdriver to get under the head of the screw (not the whole clip) helps with pulling the plastic screw out, then the clip come out easily.

They're like wall anchors, where the screw stuck in expands the petals in the back.

Threads on the screws aren't always that great, pry & unscrew helps. I've used a pick to help get them started coming out when I couldn't get a small screwdriver in there. Once you can move them out at all, if they aren't unscrewing pulling the screw part out often works OK. Screws are a push in when installing, pull out is OK once you can grab the head.

Thanks for the advice on the screw clips!

 

[sailor]

Should be able to see both ends of the bolt from the picture, looks like a clip nut on the body.

 

[Stay_Focused]

WD40 this was an awesome thread, I myself am now dealing with this problem all of a sudden. My Focus is a 2011 SES and my reservoirs is actually on the passenger side but I'm sure the same process remains. Love how detailed your photos are as well as steps to complete. I especially like some of the humor element you added, made reading the entire post quite enjoyable. I'm currently at the dealership getting an oil change and I'm asking them to give me quote on replacing the pump. It will probably end up being something I do myself.

Thanks again

Chris

 

[chrisski]

Any tips on installing the filler?

I replaced my reservoir today with a reservoir from RockAuto. The point where the filler inserts to the reservoir is leaking for me. The filler did not have an O-Ring but the reservoir does have a rubber seal. I got an ORIng for the filler from Oreilly, a 1 and 1/8" by 1", but it still leaks. I tried the O-Ring because FOrdParts.com lists an ORing in the diagram, but the part was discontinued. Very few pictures I have of the filler show the ORIng attached, and it actually snaps in place without the O Ring, but does not fit in place with the O-Ring. The filler is free of cracks, and the rubber seal on the reservoir looks good.

Also as a tip, the new hose was pretty stiff in the cold weather, so I heat it up with a heatgun and it slipped onto the pump nice and easily.

 

[cresch07]

Well 2 years later, here I am lol. I'm thinking about removing that system all together. I don't ever use it, and don't want it. It would clean up some wires and tubing, and shave a few ounces off the car.