How to Fix Stuff

[UncLeJunkLe]

I'm not sure where you live, but if you can get the Rain X juice in either pink or orange, it works better than the cheap blue juice. The pink/orange freeze at much lower temps than the blue, plus they have some Rain X detergents and water resistance ingredients to help keep things clean longer.

If you haven't had to squirt for a while, the little hose might have fallen off the wiper jet. If you have an assistant, you can have them squonk it while you lift the hood to see if it's squirting onto the deck below the wipers and if you can see the little hose lying loose. If you don't have an assistant, you just have to try to squirt more juice and look for a puddle.

The fluid is coming through the jet (not a lot though) but it doesn't project it onto the windshield. It just dribbles around the jet housing on top of the hood. Underside and hoses look OK, the way they should. I didn't notice any fluid dripping from hose or anywhere else under the hood. But didn't give a good look yet. Being that the other jet works as it should I don't think this is a pump issue, unless each jet has it's own pump, which I would find odd.

I know of the pink/orange stuff, but I have prolly 3-4 gallons of the cheap blue stuff right now. It has never froze on me in the decades I've been driving though (but there's a first time for everything). So I wanna try unclogging the jet or some other mechanical fix before I go spending a dime. It's an old beater.

 

[DavidOck]

I think it’s clogged too or some kind of breach in the hose. Takes a lot to freeze wishy washy fluid…like Siberia or ANWR.

Some parts of the USA washer fluid with anti-freeze is rare. I've run into that in my travels. Needed to refill once in Phoenix prior to returning north, and could not find any with antifreeze. So it might be a possibility.

But I suspect clogged as well. If at the nozzle, a sewing pin can be used to try to clear it.

 

[cats5365]

The fluid is coming through the jet (not a lot though) but it doesn't project it onto the windshield. It just dribbles around the jet housing on top of the hood. Underside and hoses look OK, the way they should. I didn't notice any fluid dripping from hose or anywhere else under the hood. But didn't give a good look yet. Being that the other jet works as it should I don't think this is a pump issue, unless each jet has it's own pump, which I would find odd.

I know of the pink/orange stuff, but I have prolly 3-4 gallons of the cheap blue stuff right now. It has never froze on me in the decades I've been driving though (but there's a first time for everything). So I wanna try unclogging the jet or some other mechanical fix before I go spending a dime. It's an old beater.

That does sound more like a clogged jet than a detached hose/tube. For the warmer day, does you vape stash include any little brushes and a syringe that might fit over the bad jet? I think you might be able to use the syringe to push more fluid through the jet with higher pressure than the washer system uses. I would stick with washer juice or alcohol for cleaning--I think PG would be smeary on the glass.

I had a jet get plugged and actually blew the tube off the wiper connection from the back pressure. My car is old (1989). I never froze the container of blue juice, but when I had to make an emergency purchase and only had Rain X available, I was impressed by how much better it worked year around. It was less likely to freeze on the windshield than the blue stuff, and it really seemed to clean the non-salt road treatment off the glass better than the blue stuff. I'm in Denver FWIW.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

That does sound more like a clogged jet than a detached hose/tube. For the warmer day, does you vape stash include any little brushes and a syringe that might fit over the bad jet? I think you might be able to use the syringe to push more fluid through the jet with higher pressure than the washer system uses. I would stick with washer juice or alcohol for cleaning--I think PG would be smeary on the glass.

I had a jet get plugged and actually blew the tube off the wiper connection from the back pressure. My car is old (1989). I never froze the container of blue juice, but when I had to make an emergency purchase and only had Rain X available, I was impressed by how much better it worked year around. It was less likely to freeze on the windshield than the blue stuff, and it really seemed to clean the non-salt road treatment off the glass better than the blue stuff. I'm in Denver FWIW.

I think I may have a syringe thin enough to insert into the jets (not 100% sure yet). My plan is to remove the hose and then remove the jet from the hood and squirt water from a syringe into the jet. Assuming it's a clogging issue, that's sounds like a more permanent fix than just sticking a needle through to break up whatever's clogging it.

If I don't have a small enough syringe I'll still remove the jet and just use a needle and running water to clean it best I can.

Before I replace the cleaned jet, I'll pump some washer fluid through the hose to help clear out any crystals that might be in the hose.

If that works I may even just go ahead and clean the other jet.

Then they may be good for another 23 years lol.

 

[hittman]

The fluid is coming through the jet (not a lot though) but it doesn't project it onto the windshield. It just dribbles around the jet housing on top of the hood. Underside and hoses look OK, the way they should. I didn't notice any fluid dripping from hose or anywhere else under the hood. But didn't give a good look yet. Being that the other jet works as it should I don't think this is a pump issue, unless each jet has it's own pump, which I would find odd.

I know of the pink/orange stuff, but I have prolly 3-4 gallons of the cheap blue stuff right now. It has never froze on me in the decades I've been driving though (but there's a first time for everything). So I wanna try unclogging the jet or some other mechanical fix before I go spending a dime. It's an old beater.

I’m not sure how small the opening is but you might be able to use a tip cleaner like what’s used for cutting torches to run through it to clean it out. They usually only cost 3-5 dollars.

 

[Bronze]

Disconnect the hose from the jet and see if fluid is coming out the hose. Or did you do that and I missed it?

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Disconnect the hose from the jet and see if fluid is coming out the hose. Or did you do that and I missed it?

Naw I didn't to anything yet, it's way too cold outside right now and my garage is detached and unheated. The older I get the less I can handle the cold, especially if it involves using my fingers.

 

[borno]

Fix one leak, spring another. I am thankful for those shark bite valves and fittings. They are pricey, but cheaper than me starting a fire. lol

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Well I fixed my clogged windshield washer fluid jet on my car. I didn't completely take the jet off like I wanted to because those hoses are on there so friggin' tight, and since they are 20+ years old, I didn't want to risk tearing one. I don't like spending money on cars unless it's 100% necessary, especially an old car.

So I poked each jet with a sewing needle then flushed with hot tap water using a metal needle tip eliquid bottle. The needle on the bottle fit in side the jets well. The needle top on this bottle is 1.15mm thick.

That was the driver's side jet. I also did the passenger side jet just for good measure but for some reason the bottle's needle tip wouldn't enter the jets on that side. Go figure. But I was able to flush them with careful placement nonetheless.

All's well for now.

 

[borno]

I had to pull the upstairs toilet when i noticed the floor was warping. I tried to fix this broken flange before with a metal repair ring, but they screw to the floor and don't really fasten to the old flange to make it solid. Think I might have to get in there and glue in a new one. I really hope I don't have to cut a hole in the downstairs ceiling. I'm going to let it dry out a few days and see. I thought I remembered it being cast iron, but they must have moved the original toilet to put a shower in. I hate plumbing, especially where I live the water is over 100psi.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Think I might have to get in there and glue in a new one.

I had to do that about 7 years ago. Needed new seal but found that part of cast iron flange was missing when I removed the toilet. Was leaking in basement when flushed. Had to use part of PVC flange to complete the flange. JB Weld and long screws through the sub floor. Screws were not for stability rather just to help partial PVC flange stay put while glue dried for a few hours and when I put the toilet back on since the glue wasn't gonna be 100% cured (I was pressed for time cuz my eldery & sick mother was living with me at the time and that was the only bathroom she could use. Thankfully lowes and HD are 1/4 mile from me lol.). Then I used one of those green cushiony seals instead of wax just because it made better sense for my situation. So far so good.

I HAAAATE plumbing work, too.

Circled the 2 screws. Under those you can see the partial PVC flange and the green seal to the left.

 

[borno]

I had to do that about 7 years ago. Needed new seal but found that part of cast iron flange was missing when I removed the toilet. Was leaking in basement when flushed. Had to use part of PVC flange to complete the flange. JB Weld and long screws through the sub floor. Screws were not for stability rather just to help partial PVC flange stay put while glue dried for a few hours and when I put the toilet back on since the glue wasn't gonna be 100% cured (I was pressed for time cuz my eldery & sick mother was living with me at the time and that was the only bathroom she could use. Thankfully lowes and HD are 1/4 mile from me lol.). Then I used one of those green cushiony seals instead of wax just because it made better sense for my situation. So far so good.

I HAAAATE plumbing work, too.

Circled the 2 screws. Under those you can see the partial PVC flange and the green seal to the left.

Nice job! I had to do a rush repair on this last time because of the female factor. lol That looks like good heavy cast iron, my house was built during the war and the cast iron is sketchy.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Nice job! I had to do a rush repair on this last time because of the female factor. lol That looks like good heavy cast iron, my house was built during the war and the cast iron is sketchy.

My house was built in the late 40s/early 50s.

 

[zoiDman]

I had to pull the upstairs toilet when i noticed the floor was warping. I tried to fix this broken flange before with a metal repair ring, but they screw to the floor and don't really fasten to the old flange to make it solid. Think I might have to get in there and glue in a new one. I really hope I don't have to cut a hole in the downstairs ceiling. I'm going to let it dry out a few days and see. I thought I remembered it being cast iron, but they must have moved the original toilet to put a shower in. I hate plumbing, especially where I live the water is over 100psi.
View attachment 1007351

I Feel for You.

Because I Helped someone do theirs last year. And My Turn is coming up soon.

One thing to keep on Your LOPS (List of Possible Solutions) is this little guy...

If you need to Double-Up a Joist or attach a Screw Strip to give yourself a Larger area to screw down a Plywood Patch, it can come in very handy.

It won't hold up to Heavy Duty work, and someone like a Contractor will want to Spend More to get a better tool. But for a Weekend Warrior DIY'er who treats it reasonable, it should get you thru a couple projects. And being able to set a Screw or a Lag Bolt in some of those tight spaces you can come across can make it worth while.

 

[borno]

I Feel for You.

Because I Helped someone do theirs last year. And My Turn is coming up soon.

One thing to keep on Your LOPS (List of Possible Solutions) is this little guy...

View attachment 1007352

If you need to Double-Up a Joist or attach a Screw Strip to give yourself a Larger area to screw down a Plywood Patch, it can come in very handy.

It won't hold up to Heavy Duty work, and someone like a Contractor will want to Spend More to get a better tool. But for a Weekend Warrior DIY'er who treats it reasonable, it should get you thru a couple projects. And being able to set a Screw or a Lag Bolt in some of those tight spaces you can come across can make it worth while.

View attachment 1007353

That's brilliant! I'm going to get one of those. I really like the little rockwell oscillating saw I got too when I redid the kitchen. It's got a smooth blade that is great for scraping up old flooring, and cutting up the floor.

 

[zoiDman]

That's brilliant! I'm going to get one of those. I really like the little rockwell oscillating saw I got too when I redid the kitchen. It's got a smooth blade that is great for scraping up old flooring, and cutting up the floor.

Yeah... They can come in Very Handy sometimes.

Like when you can get a Wrench onto a Bolt Head, but you can Only Turn It like 1/64th of a turn because of all the Other Crap around the Bolt.

I haven't read reviews on these Right Angle Attachments for a while. But as I recall the DeWalt had an edge over Milwaukee's. But that could be more of a Blue Chevy's over Green Ford thing.

LOL

 

[borno]

I think I found a possible fix for my broken flange, maybe. cut the old flange off, finish the floor and screw this into the pipe, we'll see.

Oh, and a goodly bead of 3m marine sealant...

 

[zoiDman]

This is type with the 3 Screws that we used...

Oatey® Cast Iron Closet Flange Replacement | Oatey

Oatey® Cast Iron Closet Flange Replacement is designed to replace a broken or corroded cast iron closet flange without tearing up the floor. Compression joining allows up to 3 in. of adjustment to the riser. Oatey products have earned the trust of plumbing professionals for over 100 years.

www.oatey.com

It worked very well. And with the exception of some Normal Hiccups (Dropping a Sawz-All and Misc Tools thru the floor. LOL.) things came out good.

Here is a Video that is very close to what we did.

 

[borno]

This is type with the 3 Screws that we used...

View attachment 1007374

Oatey® Cast Iron Closet Flange Replacement | Oatey

Oatey® Cast Iron Closet Flange Replacement is designed to replace a broken or corroded cast iron closet flange without tearing up the floor. Compression joining allows up to 3 in. of adjustment to the riser. Oatey products have earned the trust of plumbing professionals for over 100 years.

www.oatey.com

It worked very well. And with the exception of some Normal Hiccups (Dropping a Sawz-All and Misc Tools thru the floor. LOL.) things came out good.

Here is a Video that is very close to what we did.

leaded in pipe joints is a lost art. I've had to use bell joint repair clamps on leaky force mains no fun.

 

[Bronze]

Yeah... They can come in Very Handy sometimes.

Like when you can get a Wrench onto a Bolt Head, but you can Only Turn It like 1/64th of a turn because of all the Other Crap around the Bolt.

I haven't read reviews on these Right Angle Attachments for a while. But as I recall the DeWalt had an edge over Milwaukee's. But that could be more of a Blue Chevy's over Green Ford thing.

LOL

I recently replaced the starter in my truck. Two bolts. Bottom one in the wide open for the world to see. Top one buried beyond belief. Couldn’t see it. No room. Could barely get two fingers in there. Only wrench I could get on it was a short 5/8” box. Even then, I could only turn it 30 degrees…just enough to advance the hex head and get the box end to get a hold of it again. Laid under the truck a half hour turning that bolt out. Head, neck, and hands going into convulsions. But I got er done.

100% the dealer has a specially configured tool to get to that bolt head to make short work of it.