Newbie here so please be gentle!!

I've currently got a 53 plate Ford Focus Zetec, and have had some problems with the rear washer.

I went to use the rear washer the other day and when I looked in the mirror noticed that water was heavily dripping onto the parcel shelf. Later that day I managed to get the centre rear light out and found that the washer pipe was completely apart.

I tried to connect the pipe back together again but they both seem exactly the same size so wont reconnect.

Does anyone know if there is a join I can get to join the two pipes together or will the whole pipe have to be replaced? If its gonna be a replacement job any idea how much its likely to cost?

Thanks for any help!!

[quote name='Golfmad123' post='59411' date='Jan 11 2010, 05:12 AM']Newbie here so please be gentle!!

I've currently got a 53 plate Ford Focus Zetec, and have had some problems with the rear washer.

I went to use the rear washer the other day and when I looked in the mirror noticed that water was heavily dripping onto the parcel shelf. Later that day I managed to get the centre rear light out and found that the washer pipe was completely apart.

I tried to connect the pipe back together again but they both seem exactly the same size so wont reconnect.

Does anyone know if there is a join I can get to join the two pipes together or will the whole pipe have to be replaced? If its gonna be a replacement job any idea how much its likely to cost?

Thanks for any help!! [/quote]

Hi there and welcome, it could be that your washer jet was frozen. And as such the pressure build up caused by the pump running parted the washer pipe at an actual join point. I dare say you would recognise it as being a actual join point if both pipe ends are straight and clean. If that was the case, I would have thought the join would have been made with a plastic male coupler piece, being slightly over size to the actual pipe, thus making it a tight fit. Is it possible that the male coupler has fallen off?

When trying to refit tubes over slightly oversized connectors, heating the tube slightly or applying washing up liquid can make it easier to slip it over the coupler.

[quote name='catch' post='59418' date='Jan 11 2010, 08:29 AM']Hi there and welcome, it could be that your washer jet was frozen. And as such the pressure build up caused by the pump running parted the washer pipe at an actual join point. I dare say you would recognise it as being a actual join point if both pipe ends are straight and clean. If that was the case, I would have thought the join would have been made with a plastic male coupler piece, being slightly over size to the actual pipe, thus making it a tight fit. Is it possible that the male coupler has fallen off?

When trying to refit tubes over slightly oversized connectors, heating the tube slightly or applying washing up liquid can make it easier to slip it over the coupler.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. Both ends of the pipe appear to be straight and clean so I imagine it is a join point. Cannot see the connecting piece so not sure where that has gone, but will have a better look when I have more time. Would I need to go to Ford to get a new coupler if I need one?

At least with it being the back window its not used as much as the front washers.

[quote name='Golfmad123' post='59521' date='Jan 11 2010, 08:37 PM']Would I need to go to Ford to get a new coupler if I need one?

At least with it being the back window its not used as much as the front washers.[/quote]

I reckon it will be standard stuff used throughout the motor industry. In theory you should be able to pick one up, in practice stuff like that may not be considered worth stocking. But I would have thought you could get a blister pack of male through connectors.

Last resort, you may have to visit a scrap yard. [ visit being the operative word, a phone inquiry will not get them to leave their chair for such a low value part inquiry]

[quote name='catch' post='59565' date='Jan 11 2010, 11:19 PM']I reckon it will be standard stuff used throughout the motor industry. In theory you should be able to pick one up, in practice stuff like that may not be considered worth stocking. But I would have thought you could get a blister pack of male through connectors.

Last resort, you may have to visit a scrap yard. [ visit being the operative word, a phone inquiry will not get them to leave their chair for such a low value part inquiry][/quote]

b and q used to stock those connectors not sure if they still and so do some pet shops they use them for the fishtank pumps when you extend the line

[quote name='artscot79' post='59612' date='Jan 12 2010, 11:23 AM']b and q used to stock those connectors not sure if they still and so do some pet shops they use them for the fishtank pumps when you extend the line[/quote]

Handy to know that. Putting aside the fact if it was a push fit connector, were has it gone? With one of those male connectors, job done.

Thanks for the help, I will try and get a better look to make sure it hasn't fallen on the ledge behind the light before I get another one.

I was looking on eBay and someone was selling a joiner piece on there, for 4mm pipe, is it a standard size or do different car makes use different size pipe?

Sorry am not too clued up when it comes to things like this! Must look up car maintenance courses at my local college!!