While scraping bugs off our windshield week or two ago, I managed to break off both of the plastic bulkhead fittings on our coach... :-[ They were undoubtedly brittle with age. Access looks difficult, and I remember reading that sourcing these in metal was difficult because of the thickness of the FG as compared to metal skinned busses. Would appreciate anyone with first hand experience in changing these out before tackling disassembly of the dash area. Hoping that maybe the upholstered cover with the defrost vents is Velcroed to plywood underneath with access notches for the washer fittings. Too much to hope for? ::)
Don
Don:
You probably checked this out but if not hear is Barry Beam's information.
Replacing windshield washer fluid fitting on 1999 U320 (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/replacing_windshield_washer_fluid_fitting_on_1999_u320.html)
I had the same problem about a year ago and after going to Barry's site I decided to try fixing it. I uses a 14 gauge hypodermic needle that I bought at Big R which is a ranch store in Montana. I cut it and inserted it into the broken ends of the fitting and then used an epoxy stick for plastic to hold it together. I figured I had nothing to loose. It has been a year and it is still working great.
Good luck
Jason
Thanks for the link and info... my preference would be to change over to a SS or brass elbow of some kind. Also thinking about some way to cause the spray before activating the wipers because there are several dry swipes before any cleaning action. Maybe even adding an extra manual switch on the washer motor to pre charge the system.
Don
Don, leave it to you to improve on a FT!!!!
I did the replacement my self on the 270 and the 320, got parts from Truck stop or on-line, I foget. Â Easy-Peasy
Tim
My FT had a broken windshield washer bulkhead fitting on the passenger side when I purchased it. I found more substantial replacement fittings online at amequipment.com. I purchased two so that I would have a spare.
I accessed the back of the fitting by removing the defrost vent in the dash above the fitting. The fitting on the driver's side is accessible from behind the instrument panel.
I had to enlarge the hole to accept the new larger diameter fitting (only slightly larger). I couldn't get my hand through the vent opening, but my wife's hand was smaller and she was able to install the bulkhead washer and spin the nut on with a small wrench. I attached a short string to the wrench in case she dropped the wrench.
The project was much easier than I expected. I have not replaced the driver's side fitting yet.
Hi Don,
That's a great idea to wet the windshield before the wipers are activated.
Raymond
Place to buy
Windshield Washer Hose Bulkhead Fitting. La146305-0450 (http://www.prvparts.com/product-p/42410.htm)
Have you tried to reach in behind the 12-volt breaker panel to reach the passenger side washer hose and fitting?
Hmm... interesting thought, thanks. I haven't tried anything yet, still in the assessment stage since this isn't a show stopper. But that may be possible... I may try a splint from outside as a temp fix as Jason did. But if I can get at it reaching up behind the circuit breaker panel, I may bump the project up a few notches on my list.
Don
Thanks Gary. I guess they don't have the metal bulkhead fittings anymore, that I could find anyway. They only show one with a 90 and it is plastic.
Don
I'm waiting on a replacement to arrive and I was hoping it would arrive today.
This-
Body Connector for Washer Fluid [16-N-200250] - .45 : Midwest Bus Parts, We Do (http://www.midwestbusparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_316&products_id=2016&zenid=q0knb8pbh64st1cbv2ddma4oo7)
is what I ordered so hopefully it will fit in without modification. Got the dash all torn apart waiting for it. I'll keep you updated once I get it.
Thanks Robert, this looks like a better option because at least the tube barb that is exposed outside appears to be made out of metal. It also looks like the threaded area is long enough.
Don
Turns out that they did deliver it yesterday and I just didn't realize it. Those nozzles work just perfect.
Robert,
Those look just about perfect! It looks like the nipple is stainless... I didn't see any details on the website.
Don
They very well could be stainless. There are no markings of any kind anywhere on the nozzles so I have no idea of who the manufacturer is. That website didn't list anything about them other than the picture.
But they do fit perfectly into the existing spot and they seem to be built better than the full plastic ones that were in there so I guess I'll wait an see how long they last.