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windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:37 am
by simon19940
Hi
I have a 1968 minor and i never want to take it out in the rain as i can't see where i'm going! The wipers move back and forth like they're supposed to but they don't actually clear the water away.
what could be the cause of this? or is that just how it is? can they be modified/upgraded?

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:54 am
by simmitc
It's probably down to wear and/or cheap replacements over the years. Start by checking the arms. There should be no play in the links, and the spring should be enough to hold the blade on the screen - not too much spring, just enough. With poor arms, the blades can lift away from the screen. Blades also need to be good quality - there are cheap ones about, but it's worth paying extra for good ones. You can go on to look at the wheel boxes and rack, and also upgrade to a two speed motor, but start with the basics. All we daily drivers use the cars come what may, and the wipers do work when maintained properly - you may just be unlucky with previous owners fitting poor parts.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:58 am
by mogbob
Simon
The wiper action will never be as effective as a modern Eurobox but......
Is there plenty of " spring " left holding the wiper blades against the screen.The actual springs in the arms may be weak if they are orginal.Hold the arm an inch off the screen and let go.Does it return with a snap ?

Do the arms hold the blades flat along the screen throughout their entire length ? ( i.e. they have not been twisted at any stage )
What is the condition of the wiper blades themselves, is the rubber still flexible to touch ? If they are " past their sell by date " their ability to squeeze/ sweep water off your screen is seriously impaired.

Bob

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:01 am
by chickenjohn
The problem will be either the worn/cheap blades or weak spring as said above. The wiper motor and rack on the Minor are very good and reliable, no need to change those (although the wheelboxes can seize with lack of maintainance).

Another idea I have found helps is to apply Rainex periodically to the screen. (Some have claimed problems with this but not me!)

Also, a great idea with any Minor is to get the glove boxes out and lubricate the wiper spindles with grease, also remove the arm and nut and spray something down the spindle. These can seize over time leaving you with no wipers in a heavy rainstorm, been there and done that!

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:38 am
by aupickup
use the proper wiper blades and arms and not the rubbish repro tex ones

the ones you want are trico or rainbow 10 inch ones

i had some for sale on here a while back but no one wanted them so i have decided to keep them

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:54 pm
by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
As a temporary measure you can bend the wipers arms towards the windscreen to give it a bit more push against the screen.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:59 pm
by bmcecosse
Never found that to be satisfactory....... New arms and good blades (NOT the stainless ones) are the answer.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:37 pm
by MarkyB
Don't let any waxy, oily or greasy stuff get on the screen, it tends to defeat the wipers.
I'm a fan of Rainex to help the wipers work better but there are many doubters here.

Use proper screenwash too, don't be tempted to put some washing up liquid in instead, it contains loads of salt to thicken it.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:35 pm
by aupickup
well i must admit i never liked rainex

but then i have new old stock wiper blades and arms :D :D

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:15 pm
by simmitc
Rainex is like Marmite. I hate Marmite, and certainly wouldn't use that on my windscreen.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:27 pm
by MarkyB
There is no way Rainex is like Marmite except you hate them both for some reason.

However, anti freeze looks like screen wash, but has the same sort of effect as grease on the screen.

Do the wipers clear top and bottom or do they just move the water about a bit?

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:39 pm
by pyebibby
Sorry Guys! What's rainex? And my washer stuff don't work since I cleaned the bottle and lines... :/ help!

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:18 am
by Neil MG
"Rain X" is a water repellent that can be applied to the glass, windscreen and other windows. Available in Halfords and other auto accessory shops. You can also buy a "Rain X" additive for your washer fluid. Not everyone is convinced it seems ( :wink: ) but I have had great results and have used on all my classics since the 1980's when the wipers failed in my MG Midget. I haven't tried the screenwash additive, but have heard good things from another forum.

If your washer stopped working after cleaning the lines it sounds like you may have a leak. Air leaks into the system through one or more of the joints (before the pump) and can reduce the pressure enough to stop the spray. The non return valve on the pipe inside the washer bottle usually negates that. Check that your non return valve is working ok and everything is connected up properly. Of course it could be the pump failing (electric or manual) but that would not necessarily be connected to cleaning the bottle and lines.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:29 am
by MarkyB
Looks like Halfords do a version too;
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/p ... lents.html

You could try cleaning the screen with meths to get any road film or grease off.

The screenwash needs to be working for the MOT.
It may take a LOT of pumping to refill the tubes if they have been emptied.

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:17 pm
by mike.perry
Disconnect the pipe from the washer jets and test. It may be the jets which need unblocking

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:59 pm
by ASL642
It may be that there is just not enough "contact" with the glass. The wiper arms can be gently bent towards the screen to provide a bit more pressure on the glass. Try this. I have found Nilglass works very well at getting rid of all grease on the screen (available online)

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:15 pm
by moggydriver62
You must keep the speed below 100 mph,the wind lifts them above that.
Marmite is good. Vegimite has no bite.
Kenny. :roll: :o

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:36 pm
by rayofleamington
at 80mph and above the rain tends to blow off the screen by itself.. 8)

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:27 pm
by ASL642
and at 100mph the wings come out and you'll take off! :D

Re: windscreen wipers - are they supposed to be ineffective?

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 8:39 pm
by Apolaustic
This is a great forum - thank you to all who contribute. I had to drive our Minor at short notice in the rain today, and, having read this thread, shortened the wiper-arm springs on the ineffectual wipers and enjoyed a significant improvement in performance. 🙂