Facelift S3 windscreen washer problem -fixed (blocked jets)

[Svenedin]

I am having an issue with the jets for the windscreen screen wash. There are 3 jets either side but only 2 out of 3 jets are working either side. I had a look to see if it was a simple case of leaves or something but it is not. When I opened the bonnet a load of washer fluid ran out of the bonnet at the back. It seems to me that a pipe might be leaking causing low pressure and a leak.

Since it could take weeks to get Audi to look at this under warranty, has anyone had this problem? It looks as if I may be able to access the area by removing the sound insulation panel attached to the underside of the bonnet.

 

[Svenedin]

Fixed.

I removed the under bonnet sound insulation but no leak under there. Ascertained that the washer jet nozzles were blocked. Got a cocktail stick and carefully unblocked the jets. One was still working but firing the jet at the edge of the bonnet which caused liquid to run back into the bonnet. Awkward to get to the jets. I presume the whole jet assembly unclips somehow but I don't know how. Helps to have the bonnet popped open but not lifted up. Probably a result of the very hard tap water I have here.

 

[Jassyo06]

Fixed.

I removed the under bonnet sound insulation but no leak under there. Ascertained that the washer jet nozzles were blocked. Got a cocktail stick and carefully unblocked the jets. One was still working but firing the jet at the edge of the bonnet which caused liquid to run back into the bonnet. Awkward to get to the jets. I presume the whole jet assembly unclips somehow but I don't know how. Helps to have the bonnet popped open but not lifted up. Probably a result of the very hard tap water I have here.

Screen wash ie inexpensive ones can block up the jet heads that's why i use Angelwax Clarity screen wash

 

[KenL]

The washer jets are rubbish. Mine move about continually.

Wish I had the ones on my wife's Citigo.

Good tip from Jassy though.

 

[Svenedin]

Screen wash ie inexpensive ones can block up the jet heads that's why i use Angelwax Clarity screen wash

Yes. I have been using the Halfords concentrated screen wash but I think I will change to something else when it's used up. I saw on a VW forum that they recommend their own one for this reason.

I found this tool online and have ordered one. Easier than a cocktail stick and can also be used to re-align the jets. OK it's only really a needle on a stick but for £5......

https://www.drapertools.com/product/03322/Vehicle-Washer-Jet-Cleaning-Tool

 

[Daveotto]

I don’t like the A3/S3 jets to much as they block and change spray direction at will and much prefer the spray mist type.

I think the A6 spray jets are compatible as a relatively cheap and easy solution ( believe there is another thread on here with the relevant part number

 

[oli356]

I don’t like the A3/S3 jets to much as they block and change spray direction at will and much prefer the spray mist type.

I think the A6 spray jets are compatible as a relatively cheap and easy solution ( believe there is another thread on here with the relevant part number

Yup, much better... £11 ea

Audi A6 Right Heated Front Washer Jet 4G0955988A
Audi A6 Left Heated Front Washer Jet 4G0955987A

 

[Daveotto]

Yup, much better... £11 ea

Audi A6 Right Heated Front Washer Jet 4G0955988A
Audi A6 Left Heated Front Washer Jet 4G0955987A

Where from?

 

[oli356]

Where from?

I messaged Audisytner on ebay and he listed them https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/audisytner/

 

[Svenedin]

But changing the jets. Bit too radical. Not an S3 anymore! Sorry, have to put up with the original setup.

 

[Bells]

Thumbs up for the A6 washer jets cheapest and best mod I’ve done to my S3

 

[Svenedin]

I eat my words.......successfully unblocked the jets but got so fed up trying to adjust them that I've ordered the A6 jets and I am going to swap for those. They seem far better and can be adjusted with a torx screwdriver. Thanks for the tip!

 

[HertS3]

Will these fit the 2015 S3?

 

[oli356]

Will these fit the 2015 S3?

The washer jets? Yup.

 

[Sparks43]

Fixed.

I removed the under bonnet sound insulation but no leak under there. Ascertained that the washer jet nozzles were blocked. Got a cocktail stick and carefully unblocked the jets. One was still working but firing the jet at the edge of the bonnet which caused liquid to run back into the bonnet. Awkward to get to the jets. I presume the whole jet assembly unclips somehow but I don't know how. Helps to have the bonnet popped open but not lifted up. Probably a result of the very hard tap water I have here.

It does unclip - with the bonnet up you just pull the whole unit towards you I think or down - They get blocked with dirt which is why they sometimes squirt low and run down the bonnet or not at all - Disconnect the heater and water pipe - I always use the Audi screenwash (the 1 litre bottles from parts not the twice the price 500ml from the showroom) as this is supposed to not solidify as bad and was for the fan jet washers that kept blocking and blowing the pipes off on the rear washers and blowing the motor

I then blew an airline down mine and that did the job and I didn't need to adjust them because they are now on the screen - Basically though if they hit the glass when driving along you're doing quite well so I'm told by my mate whose an Audi Mastertech

You'd think for the money you pay they would fit some of the others that people have suggested

 

[AJB]

Screen wash ie inexpensive ones can block up the jet heads that's why i use Angelwax Clarity screen wash

True, but with these jets Audi somehow seem to have managed to make them block (or partially block, messing up the jet direction) whatever screen wash you use. I've always used good quality screen wash, and I've never once had a problem on any other car I've owned. These ones are super-annoying though, I've had to unblock and/or adjust multiple times, and have been really close to replacing with jet ones for a couple of years now.

The trouble is I seem to be stuck thinking "one more time and I'll replace them". And then one blocks again, I unblock it, and then think "one more time..."

 

[HertS3]

I've just ordered these as I attempted to hump/fix the jets with a sewing needle but didn't really work, thanks for the tip. Is it easy to replace them? Do you just disconnect the water pipe and heater as Sparks mentions above?

Also, I presume that it'll be these for the PFL Sportsback?? Otherwise I'll have to try cancel the order before they ship (got them on eBay from Audi Cardiff)

 

[Svenedin]

I've just ordered these as I attempted to hump/fix the jets with a sewing needle but didn't really work, thanks for the tip. Is it easy to replace them? Do you just disconnect the water pipe and heater as Sparks mentions above?

Also, I presume that it'll be these for the PFL Sportsback?? Otherwise I'll have to try cancel the order before they ship (got them on eBay from Audi Cardiff)

They don't look difficult to fit. I haven't fitted mine yet because Audi Cardiff managed to send me 2x right hand A6 jets rather than a left and a right. However, the are sending a left and let me keep the extra right as a spare. I'm assuming they fit PFL and FL (mine is FL).

 

[oli356]

I've just ordered these as I attempted to hump/fix the jets with a sewing needle but didn't really work, thanks for the tip. Is it easy to replace them? Do you just disconnect the water pipe and heater as Sparks mentions above?

Also, I presume that it'll be these for the PFL Sportsback?? Otherwise I'll have to try cancel the order before they ship (got them on eBay from Audi Cardiff)

The A6 ones fit my PFL Sportback. I think they basically fit everything. Likewise some of the VW ones (I can't remember which model) also fit the 8v. Seems like a huge cross compatibility.

But yes it's easy to do. I used a pry tool to remove the old ones and then just the heater cable and water pipe.
I'm hopeless at DIY things and I found it easy enough so nobody should have issues lol.

I needed to adjust mine so got a friend to help adjust them while I was in the car testing them. Just needed to buy the right size torx screwdriver.

 

[HertS3]

Just fitted them both in under 5 mins - seriously easy job which anyone can do. Just used a flat-head screwdriver, pushed it under the existing one and shoved the screwdriver to get it out. Then just unclip the heating connector and pull away the metal clip holding the washer fluid hose in place and connect to the new A6 version. Just make L and R are the same as the one you're replacing (they seem to have done this from the driver's POV rather than looking at the car) and Bob's your uncle.

Haven't adjusted the mist, seems OK at standstill but will check it at speed as I suspect it may angling up a bit.

Highly recommend this 'mod'.

 

[Svenedin]

You don’t even need a pry tool to get them out. I popped my jets out today. Open the bonnet and grasp the jet assembly at the bottom. Pull the bottom of the jet unit outwards. The bottom unclips and pivots out on the top clips allowing the jet unit to to be lifted out. Re-install by inserting the unit at the top and pushing the bottom in until the clips click into place. Really easy.

 

[HertS3]

Svendin our messages above crossed! Flat-head screwdriver will do the trick too. I think mine need adjusting so the mist is slightly higher, seemed a bit low when I sprayed at speed yesterday. Luckily it's just a case of using a Torx screwdriver, no battles with a needle!

 

[Svenedin]

I fitted the A6 fan washers today. It was easy, required no tools and I am pleased with the result. I did it in my lunch break at work. The jets didn't need any adjusting after fitting.


OEM factory fitted pistol jet type (these are handed left and right, marked on the back)

A6 type fan jet (handed left and right, marked front and back). See torx adjusting screw to adjust angle of spray (height on windscreen)

Rear of A6 type showing connections for water and power for heated jet.

 

[scoss]

Svendin our messages above crossed! Flat-head screwdriver will do the trick too. I think mine need adjusting so the mist is slightly higher, seemed a bit low when I sprayed at speed yesterday. Luckily it's just a case of using a Torx screwdriver, no battles with a needle!

Did you sort the height of your mist? Are the mist jets better then the spray?

 

[Svenedin]

Did you sort the height of your mist? Are the mist jets better then the spray?

Mine didn't need adjusting after fitting but it would have been easy to adjust them I needed to. The fan type seem better to me because with the pistol type I could never get them right and they would water the road or the car behind rather than the screen. The only thing I would say is that the fan type does momentarily obscure the field of view whereas the pistol type does not.

 

[scoss]

Mine didn't need adjusting after fitting but it would have been easy to adjust them I needed to. The fan type seem better to me because with the pistol type I could never get them right and they would water the road or the car behind rather than the screen. The only thing I would say is that the fan type does momentarily obscure the field of view whereas the pistol type does not.

Ok thanks mate. In terms of overall performance are they better then the jets?

 

[Svenedin]

Ok thanks mate. In terms of overall performance are they better then the jets?

Well they haven't blocked at all which my pistol jets did and the fan spray always hits the windscreen rather than firing off in the road so I'd say definitely yes! For something so cheap and easy to change it is a bit of a no brainer really. If you really don't like them you can swap back to the standard jets in 5 minutes.

 

[HertS3]

Did you sort the height of your mist? Are the mist jets better then the spray?

Yeah got them sorted, most ones are so easy to adjust, just use a Torx screwdriver which adjusts it up or down

 

[scoss]

Yeah got them sorted, most ones are so easy to adjust, just use a Torx screwdriver which adjusts it up or down

Thanks. I’m gonna order some today.

 

[DanZ]

Right, think I'm going to order these for my PFL A3. I'm guessing it's no problem if my car doesn't have heated washers?
Also, has anyone made a video with the new washers, I'm curious how they look.
Thanks!

 

[Svenedin]

Right, think I'm going to order these for my PFL A3. I'm guessing it's no problem if my car doesn't have heated washers?
Also, has anyone made a video with the new washers, I'm curious how they look.
Thanks!

If it doesn't have heated washers then there won't be an electrical cable to connect but they will still work perfectly except perhaps in freezing conditions. I looked at a video on Youtube some time ago so there is one. I could make a video if wanted.

 

[DanZ]

If it doesn't have heated washers then there won't be an electrical cable to connect but they will still work perfectly except perhaps in freezing conditions. I looked at a video on Youtube some time ago so there is one. I could make a video if wanted.

Please do! I think others will appreciate too.

 

[scoss]

Right, think I'm going to order these for my PFL A3. I'm guessing it's no problem if my car doesn't have heated washers?
Also, has anyone made a video with the new washers, I'm curious how they look.
Thanks!

Don’t A3’s come as standard with heated jets?

 

[DanZ]

Don’t A3’s come as standard with heated jets?

Uhhhm... Good question! I never looked TBH Thought this is in the realm of the higher end S and RS's ?

 

[scoss]

Uhhhm... Good question! I never looked TBH Thought this is in the realm of the higher end S and RS's ?

I’ve got an S line and have them.

 

[Phutters]

If anyone would like to try the mist jets, I've got a pair that came from Audi Cardiff (Audi Parts Direct) that I don't want.

I got them last November, but having fitted them decided that I prefer the original three-jet jobs. They were only on the car for half an hour, so are as new. They are the correct part, and, as several people have said, are a doddle to fit.

I'm quite happy to stick them in the post for someone to try. If you want to keep them we can sort something out afterwards - if not, just send them back. They weigh next to nothing, so the postage is pretty insignificant.

I'd only want a few quid for them anyway.

Just send me a message.

Cheers

Pete

.

 

[Phutters]

Cripes, that was quick!

The jets have got a new home.

 

[DanZ]

Whoops, not quick enough ) I guess I have to order them from the main stealer.

 

[Svenedin]

Here's the video as requested. I'ver never made a YouTube video so apologies for the lack of sophistication. Just sorting a problem out.....will repost (realised I posted the unedited video where I swore)

Corrected now.

 

[DanZ]

Wow! Brilliantly done mate! I'm sure this will help other A3 drivers as well. Those ridiculous pistol jets are a disgrace for a 25k+ car. Thanks!