C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Washer pump - does it need to be primed?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 10:14 AM
  #1  
moonsteel's Avatar
moonsteel
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
Default Washer pump - does it need to be primed?

I'm not getting any fluid spraying from the washers when I press the button.
Is it possible the pump needs to be primed?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 10:17 AM
  #2  
mrvette's Avatar
mrvette
Team Owner
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Default

NO, not normally the tub does that when full of water, or full enough, anyway....
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 10:46 AM
  #3  
moonsteel's Avatar
moonsteel
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
Default

The tub is full, but it appears like the pump isn't sucking it up.
Car has been sitting for awhile.

If it doesn't need to be primed, any advice on testing the pump to see if it's working and/or seeing if the signal is coming from the button?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 11:45 AM
  #4  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

What year of car? If your pump is mounted on the w/s wiper motor you should be able to hear it operating.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 11:55 AM
  #5  
Young69Owner's Avatar
Young69Owner
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Default

I got mine to work, but it was pretty weak. The rebuild kit from zip didn't help. Does the fluid tend to leak around the piston? I would advise the OP check for leaks (have another person press the button); I would see fluid leak and then I'd swap out hoses. I would raise the intake hose and use a bottle and use gravity to force feed the pump. These techniques got me to where I am right now with my crazy '69 solenoid set up.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 11:59 AM
  #6  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Originally Posted by moonsteel
I'm not getting any fluid spraying from the washers when I press the button.
Is it possible the pump needs to be primed?

I think the car is a 74 and the pump would be mounted on the motor. So if this is the case then Yes, I've had to prime them before.

Remove the middle hose off the pump and with a different hose installed, blow some water in the pump. Swap the hose back and you should be good to go as long as you can hear the pump working. You may have an air lock in there and this is a simple way to fix it.

If you can hear the pump working and you prime it with no success then you may have a bad diaphram in the pump. They do get old and crack.



Willcox
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 12:27 PM
  #7  
Petes73's Avatar
Petes73
Racer
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: Marion Ia
Default

One other issue I have had is old hoses tend to draw air where they are connected. The siphon hose in the washer fluid tank is the one that got me. Replaced the hose and it was good to go. Something easy and fast to check with no outlay of funds.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 02:18 PM
  #8  
moonsteel's Avatar
moonsteel
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
Default

Originally Posted by mike ward
what year of car? If your pump is mounted on the w/s wiper motor you should be able to hear it operating.
1974
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 02:19 PM
  #9  
moonsteel's Avatar
moonsteel
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
I think the car is a 74 and the pump would be mounted on the motor. So if this is the case then Yes, I've had to prime them before.

Remove the middle hose off the pump and with a different hose installed, blow some water in the pump. Swap the hose back and you should be good to go as long as you can hear the pump working. You may have an air lock in there and this is a simple way to fix it.

If you can hear the pump working and you prime it with no success then you may have a bad diaphram in the pump. They do get old and crack.



Willcox
How noisy is it?

Thanks, I will try and prime it.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 03:19 PM
  #10  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Listen for a change in the sound when you hit the washer button. Engine doesn't need to be running, wet the windshield so that the noise of the wipers doesn't interfere.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 05:29 PM
  #11  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by moonsteel
How noisy is it?

Thanks, I will try and prime it.
It makes a pretty good snap when you push the button to wash.
You should be able to feel some suction on the intake side.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 05:42 PM
  #12  
HamadUP's Avatar
HamadUP
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

I got a bad relay in my original, replaced it with another one and it worked right away without any priming.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2009 | 10:08 AM
  #13  
Young69Owner's Avatar
Young69Owner
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
I think the car is a 74 and the pump would be mounted on the motor. So if this is the case then Yes, I've had to prime them before.

Remove the middle hose off the pump and with a different hose installed, blow some water in the pump. Swap the hose back and you should be good to go as long as you can hear the pump working. You may have an air lock in there and this is a simple way to fix it.

If you can hear the pump working and you prime it with no success then you may have a bad diaphram in the pump. They do get old and crack.



Willcox
Do you have this diaphragm for a '69?
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2009 | 03:56 PM
  #14  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

The diaphram is not available for the 1969 pump.

Willcox
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2009 | 01:20 PM
  #15  
Young69Owner's Avatar
Young69Owner
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Default

Can you sell me anything that would help? Is the diaphragm for another year pretty close? Can I pay you to make something? I fixed the every other part of this system. I had it spraying my headlights, but it just needs more force. It is very weak on my windshield when it actually makes it up there...
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2009 | 08:55 PM
  #16  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

I can take an old one apart at the office in the coming week and see if I can find something to work with it. Could be another Willcox Experiment!

Willcox
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 12:40 PM
  #17  
Young69Owner's Avatar
Young69Owner
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
I can take an old one apart at the office in the coming week and see if I can find something to work with it. Could be another Willcox Experiment!

Willcox
Should this diaphragm be between the piston and the valves? If we can get some juice behind my pump, that would be pretty sweet. Keep me informed and I'll buy what I need from you.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Washer pump - does it need to be primed?

Old Sep 27, 2009 | 09:49 PM
  #18  
moonsteel's Avatar
moonsteel
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
Default

Originally Posted by moonsteel
I'm not getting any fluid spraying from the washers when I press the button.
Is it possible the pump needs to be primed?
Finally found some time to try it out.
Put some water into the feed hose, nothing happened.
I took the top off the pump and the piston inside seems to just pulse a little while the wipers are working.
There seems to be no reaction to the washer button being pushed.

As a side note, my wipers only go one speed.

Can I apply 12v directly to the pump to see if it's working?
Is there a way I can find out if it's the switch or the wiring?
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 10:38 PM
  #19  
barbs '69 resto's Avatar
barbs '69 resto
Account disabled by request 8 Feb 2010
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default washer pump

I totally rebuilt my pump. If your pump is like mine there is a doubled edged piston seal that resembles a O ring and 3 check valves most likely they are worn out. The check valve assm. is easy to get but the seal isn't. I wanted to keep my pump original so I made many phone calls and finally located a manufacture that was nice enough to send me a couple of seals. The pump works like new now. By the way there is no diaphragm in the pump. If the pump is working properly it doe's not require priming.

Last edited by barbs '69 resto; Sep 27, 2009 at 10:40 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2009 | 12:20 AM
  #20  
DZRick's Avatar
DZRick
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Default

Did you follow this thread?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...1972-help.html

I don't know if the '74 is the same but this thread might help.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:29 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE