VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Washer Fluid...How's it work??

My '51 has a dealer option windshield washer bottle. I have read the accessory installation guide, and it appears that it is installed correctly... but it doesn't work! I need to know how the thing works. I don't understand which parts are moving when it is in operation, or even which tube lead on the lid is the vacuum input and which is the fluid output. There is a giant spring in there...What's it doing and how does it work?? It is run off of the manifold presure, it is not a foot pump. There is a small metal button drilled into the winshield wiper button on the dash. Thanks for any help.

Bruce.

Anyone...

Sorry, I can't help. Have you tried the web site ChevyTalk?
Try calling your topic "Washer Pump" instead of fluid. Maybe no one is checking it out. This club usually gives quick responses. If you are a member here, check the G&D for the tech person for your car and give them a call.

Thanks Dean...

I did try over at Chevy Talk a few months ago, and the answers came back that it should be a foot pump, or no one knew... try the VCCA site! I guess it's one of those things you replace, not repair! 100 views in 3 days means people are looking, but I guess no one takes these things apart...

On a slightly humourous note...20 years ago when it was installed, the tech expert for 1951 Canadian Models was my Dad... and he installed it!!

The basic idea behind the pump is when the button is depressed the engine vacuum overcomes the spring and draws the piston one way and this action fills the cylinder with water. Then when the button is released the spring forces the piston back which in turn forces the water out of the jets. I could be off but thats the general idea.
Let me know if you get yours working and how you did it so then I can fix mine.
When these were newer there were no parts available, etc. so we would just install a new pump.-

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/accessories/1951am/index.htm

brewster, go to this site, and click on page 89 (WASHER-Windshield, Passenger). That page begins the installation procedures for the washer. You said you have read the installation guide, but you also said you don't know which is the vacuum source connection and which is the washer fluid discharge connection. That is explained in the guide at steps 7 and 8. I believe the center fitting on the jar cover is the vacuum fitting, and the fitting nearest the edge of the jar cover is the fluid connection. I think the foot-operated washer is for the truck, or so the guide says. I do hope this will help you.

When I bought my '50 deluxe coupe after my navy service in '54, it had one just like your picture - brass inside. When it didn't work I went to my favorite Chevy dealer and bought a new one. The new one was black plastic where the brass had been so I just replaced the new unit with the screw on cap and saved the new glass jar, hoses and connections. I sold them several years ago at our swap meet....

Sent you a PM

Dude this forum is all new to me and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm completely media blasted, primed/painted and headed the other way, frame up. My last big blast job was going to be the front splash apn which has two about 1 1/2 inch holes at either end which were a complete mistory to me and I was going to spot weld and putty a way. Now that I read the "online accessorys" manueal I think my misteory holes are solved. I just need to get and install "fog lights" some day. WOW what a huge time saver and correct fix I think? I can't wait to check it in the "mancave" in the day light.

thanks
any other manuels on line that you have links to?? 51 chev fleetline,

PS: anyone know where a guy can get fog lights with those brackets that go throw my mistery holes?