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Topic: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings (Read 747 times) previous topic - next topic

Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

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
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #1 –
Don:
You probably checked this out but if not hear is Barry Beam's information.

Replacing windshield washer fluid fitting on 1999 U320

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
Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #2 –
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
Quote from: jerrett –
Don:
You probably checked this out but if not hear is Barry Beam's information.

Replacing windshield washer fluid fitting on 1999 U320

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
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #3 –
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
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #4 –
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.
Gary Vanhoff
1998 U320
3600 WTFE
Build No. 5342
2007 HHR Toad
Spokane Valley, Washington

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #5 –
Hi Don,
  That's a great idea to wet the windshield before the wipers are activated.
Raymond
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #6 –
Place to buy

Windshield Washer Hose Bulkhead Fitting. La146305-0450
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #7 –
Have you tried to reach in behind the 12-volt breaker panel to reach the passenger side washer hose and fitting?

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #8 –
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
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Have you tried to reach in behind the 12-volt breaker panel to reach the passenger side washer hose and fitting?
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #9 –
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
Quote from: GLV –
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.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #10 –
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

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.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #11 –
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
Quote from: rsihnhold –
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

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.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #12 –
Turns out that they did deliver it yesterday and I just didn't realize it.  Those nozzles work just perfect.

Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #13 –
Robert,
Those look just about perfect! It looks like the nipple is stainless... I didn't see any details on the website.
Don
Quote from: rsihnhold –
Turns out that they did deliver it yesterday and I just didn't realize it.  Those nozzles work just perfect.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson
 

Re: Accessing windshield washer bulkhead fittings

Reply #14 –
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.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3