850 rear washer (hose clogged)

dstthomas · Post by **dstthomas** » 27 Aug 2010, 16:28

1994 850 turbo wagon 152K.
The rear washer quit.
I followed posts to diagnose. The posts I found with the VADIS PDF for the wiper/washer systems was enormously helpful, as was the information about the filter.
The pump is good, and the filter is passing fluid.
I expected the problem to be the pressure relief valve.
Instead, what I have found is that the long hose going from the distribution side (rear) of the filter to the pressure relief valve seems to be clogged.
I had a wire that was just stiff and just flexible enough to pass through the hose, but it's unfortunately just big enough in diameter that it gets stopped at any point in the hose where it's held in place by the metal clip-on retainers. I went as far as I could in each direction without taking off the clipped in interior panels.
So, I am looking at this and it appears that the hose can be removed/replaced if I remove enough interior parts (which, judging from the tailgate, seem to be held in place with self-destructive plastic clips).
It's a big job, and I am understanding why most people seem to quit easily when the rear washer stops working.
I may be up to the challenge. It seems like it will look possible once i get the interior apart (ugh).
It has occurred to me to ask for wisdom.
Does anyone have experience with this?
It's mysterious to me why the hose carrying filtered fluids would suddenly become clogged.
I figured that I would go ahead and replace the hose as long as I had everything apart. From what I can see, the tricky part is inside the tailgate window frame where it routes from the hinge through the window frame. This I can do with some sort of chaser.

As far as parts go, is this just plain hose, or is this a Volvo part?
The hose is in good shape externally, so it's high-quality stuff.

As far as taking off the interior parts, is it just the clips that I will break, of do I risk something more heinous?

I would like to do this project and have everything working on the car for one more moment in time.

Dave

dstthomas · Post by **dstthomas** » 27 Aug 2010, 19:03

I have made a discovery in preparing to replace the hose I mentioned.
Upon removing the black plastic cover that protects the hose as it runs along the right hand side hinge, I discovered an additional relief valve, or anti-syphon valve, or whatever these things are.
I wager this is the problem, and will replace both of these valves.

Post by **thecheat** » 27 Aug 2010, 19:46

Please document any tips you come across when you do this. My car has the same problem - somewhere past the filter in the back there is an obstruction.

Post by **meine39** » 27 Aug 2010, 22:16

Check the bottom of the wheel well where the spare tire is stored for any signs of water - the tubing for my rear washer had disconnected at a coupling in the hose located under the carpeted load floor, and the washer fluid was pumping into the wheel well. The carpeted floor panel can be removed (right side of cargo area) to access the line and reconnect the tubing.

dstthomas · Post by **dstthomas** » 27 Aug 2010, 22:34

Thanks meine39 - everything looks good as far as the hoses connecting into the filter.
I am certain that the 2nd valve is the culprit. There are forensic signs of washer spray collected all around the valve.
I'll replace both of these valves. The VADIS doc showed the standard relief/syphon valve (near the nozzle). Nothing prepared me to look under the black cover for a second valve.
It'll take me a while to get the parts, then the re-install should take a few jiffies.
I'll snap a picture or two for thecheat, which will give me a bit of practice with that.

Post by **thecheat** » 28 Aug 2010, 07:26

Oh yeah, what is the tube and hollow plastic blob in the right side wheel well?

dstthomas · Post by **dstthomas** » 28 Aug 2010, 09:15

I apologize for starting a new thread instead of posting my original problem in:

Volvo 850 Wagon Rear Window Washer

I thought I had a different enough situation, but it turns out not really.

@thecheat:
It sounds like you are describing the washer supply line and the in-line filter.

Post by **thecheat** » 28 Aug 2010, 11:22

dstthomas wrote:I apologize for starting a new thread instead of posting my original problem in:

Volvo 850 Wagon Rear Window Washer

I thought I had a different enough situation, but it turns out not really.

@thecheat:
It sounds like you are describing the washer supply line and the in-line filter.

Thanks for that link, the PDF in it gave me what I need. Will try to clean out the valve behind the nozzle later.

Also, the tube and tank I refer to is much larger than the washer plumbing. The tube is about 3/4" diameter , goes toward the front of the car and ends in a soft blow molded tank that press fits into an exit hole in the floor. I suppose it is a drain fir the door sills or something.

dstthomas · Post by **dstthomas** » 28 Aug 2010, 11:33

Since a picture is worth a thousand words...

1 Having removed the moulding for the liftgate, here is the valve I was expecting after studying the VADIS PDF posted by MadeInJapan in "Volvo 850 Wagon Rear Window Washer":

2 The hose feeds along the right side hinge:

3 The black plastic cover snaps off easily to reveal a surprise...:

4 The Fluid stains tell the tale: