Blocked Windscreen Washers Front & rear

[IanB2022]

Good Afternoon All, after nearly 2 years of owning a Puma I have pretty much my first issue. All I get from my windscreen washers, front & rear, is a dribble of water which doesn't even reach the screen. There is water in the tank, I can hear the pump working so after a bit of digging online it would appear I may have a gunged up washer tank filter.
I found information online which suggests the following steps to make getting to the washer pump easier ie. remove the offside front wheel and inner wing panel, and then lo and behold I should see the tank/pump. Thereafter it should be straightforward!
My question is has anyone else had to do this and are those the steps I need to take?
Any advice much appreciated.

[Chocky]

Had this once after mixing screen wash types. I was able to release the hose from the jets and pump the crap out then flush through with hot water. Not looked on the Puma but something similar should be possible.

[IanB2022]

Good Evening Everyone,

First of all I need to apologise for not posting an update on how the local Ford garage fixed this for me. They cleared the gunk from the filter, as per the picture. Cost £125 so not exactly cheap, but quicker than me doing it and since it was winter, no crawling about on a cold garage floor! Regardless, the washer pump has worked flawlessly since then, even with me continuing to use the additive I used before, which the garage suggested was to blame. Mixing additives is not good, apparently.

[Ron240]

the washer pump has worked flawlessly since then, even with me continuing to use the additive I used before, which the garage suggested was to blame.

This is very 'brave' of you under the circumstances.
Thanks for the update though...too many people dont bother doing this.
Glad you got it sorted.

[Sparks]

Why are you using the same additive they say caused the blockage and what is it? Just curious.

[MrT]

A couple of years ago there was a report of BMW refusing a warranty claim for a faulty screen washer system because the car owner had not been using the official BMW washer fluid from a BMW dealer. It sounded ridiculous then and still does. I have never had a problem using washer fluid bought from Aldi/Lidl/Morrisons/Halfords. Would put me off buying BMW if I ever wanted to spend that much.

[IanB2022]

Hi Sparks, As I’ve used pretty much all my driving life, I’ve been using Asda/Halfords etc washer fluid, similar to Mr T’s approach, with no issues. This was the first blocked filter I’ve come across. I did use a hose to fill up the washer bottle, I had been washing the car, so my theory is somehow that introduced some foreign body which then blocked the filter. Suffice to say I’ve not used that method since, lesson learnt!

[Hedgehog]

I had this problem several years ago after a main dealer service resulted in a lack of washers a few days later. They cleared out the bllockage for free and said it was two incompatible additives that causes it. Since then I always run the reservoir down before filling it up with something new

[squealeyhealey]

I recently encountered the same windscreen wash not working concern on both front and rear screens, with our 2023 Ford Puma. I too looked on YouTube but could only find a video on a Kuga. Fixing the Puma is similar but the wash pump / motor but more difficult to get at! In addition to removing the drivers side front wheel the end of the under-tray attached to the front bumper needs to be removed. The electric power connection needs to be disconnected. The wash motor / pump unit can be pulled out from the wash bottle / rubber seal ( it’s very tight) and threaded up in front of the wash bottle to the engine compartment. Then you can disconnect the hoses to free the wash motor / pump unit. Unfortunately there’s no separate filter and the motor / pump unit is a sealed unit. But (see photo) there’s mesh holes in the end of the unit that can be cleared with a pin and blowing back through the pipe connections! The parts can then be refitted, I did need to put the rubber seal in a cup of boiling water to soften it before replacing the seal and motor/ pump unit! Simples!!!

[Ron240]

Simples!!!

Reading your description of the cleaning process it was hardly simples, but at least you got it sorted.

These things are often caused by an incompatibility with the type of fluid or additive, so to minimise the potential for any problems its worth sticking to manufacturer branded/approved products.
A main dealer service should always include a top up of washer fluid, but personal experience has shown that they do not always do it.