Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Washer pump not working

The washer pump on my 1992 Plus 8 has stopped working. The fuse is fine and there is power getting to the pump - I can hear it starting to spin but no water is being pumped. The lines to the wash nozzles are clear. The wash fluid was extremely dirty - black!
I was thinking it might be an air lock in the pump but I’m not sure how to clear it. Alternatively the ‘black gunk’ may have clogged up the impela.

Looking for some guidance here and as a last resort, where to source a replacement pump.

Thanks,
David

David, probably shot pump as you say, I used this set up when my 4/4 Sport pump failed early on. Bottle and pump.

It fitted perfectly so I swapped the pump only and kept the rest for spares.

The pump should be easily removed by simply pulling it from the tank. It can then be inspected more closely for blockage and the inlet and outlet poked with perhaps a cocktail stick.
When my tank showed evidence of blackness, I removed it and threw in a good handful of clean gravel, then 1/4 filled with water and gave it a good swirl. Once looking clean after several repeats, let it soak in a dilute white vinegar solution to kill off any remaining spores..

Yep David I think it originates at the pump, pump inlet or outlet. That black mould you describe can fill the pump causing the pump to fail in pushing water through, even though its spinning the impeller is just caveatting as water isn't getting to it or possibly out of it due to a tough blockage. Sometimes the impeller can be so stuck that the shaft spins free in the impeller blades Usually denoted by a higher spin sound than you would normally hear.

Forgot to say, try blowing it through when removed either with air or a syringe filled with water.

The washer pump failed on my 1980 +8 despite power to it. It's a cheap replacement.

Thanks for all the timely responses. I removed the pump and flushed it with soapy water. This unstuck the impella and it works perfectly again. The part is 33 years old and now works like a charm. It was originally fabricated in the UK. I am sure they are not anymore.

Thanks again.

Great result David.

Excellent, and so much more satisfying than opening your wallet at a garage! Who no doubt would have changed everything for a load of cheap rubbish that still wouldn't last as lone as your serviced items.... Well done, You're almost a Technician!

The washer pump failed on my +8 last year... I explained to the garage that I'd never actually used it as the car is only used in nice weather. 'Aha! Well that's the problem' was the reply. The pump sits primed (full of water) for years on end and there's never any flow - and that's what caused mine to fail. I had a look at the failed pump and it was full of black gunk.

Not an expensive item from memory - but a reminder to give the screen an occasional squirt maybe.