Washer Fluid Pump

[Smitty17]

The washer fluid pump on my 1966 Bronco had not been used for many years (20?). The pump spins but does not pump. I saw something somewhere about maybe having to prime the pump. Any thought s on this?

 

[DirtDonk]

It can happen. They can also wear out, so it could go either way at this point.

Easy enough to test though. If your reservoir is full and pointing the hose output down below the pump does not result in priming, then try holding it upright and dribbling some water down it to get to the pump from the other side.
Then hold your finger over the open end while pushing the button to see if that helps instigate something. Hopefully even a squirt in the face showing it's working!

Obviously this could be awkward, so a helper might come in handy. But if you're by yourself you can get a longer piece of hose for not too much money. But I think with the existing hose the dash switch can be reachable.

But speaking of the old hose, how old is it? If it's perfect, fine. But if it's questionable, I would replace it because little air leaks are going to make it a little bit harder to do the priming.
Of course, the real priming takes effect on the back side of the pump inside the reservoir, but some pressure buildup from the outside can really help. And air holes work against you.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

You can even pressurize your reservoir to help sometimes. But with Bronco reservoirs I don't recommend that.
If it's the early bag style, they won't like it. If it's been swapped to the later plastic tank style from '71 and later EB's (2-piece with black flat top) the top might blow off!
If it's the middle years style tank (rounded edges, 1-piece with just a cap) it might work.

You can try pressurizing the bag style, but I would be extremely careful. Don't use more than a couple of pounds of air.

Paul

 

[Lawndart]

I do not know what a '66 pump looks like.
I imagine bag and external pump. I bet it is similar to the one that I had on a '67 F100. When I got my '67, it did the same thing. The pump was easy to take apart and clean. Tested and worked great. Much better than replacing with chinese crap. If it has a metal body, it can easily be taken apart and determine the problem. I cannot remember how the gear/pinwheel wheel was fitted on the motor, but possibly a friction fit. A little JB would fix that after a removal/clean-up scenario. If the bag is higher than the pump an additional priming event should not be necessary. Just use a jumper to activate the pump from the battery and another from base to ground (if you remove it) to reduce boring someone with your project.
PS - see first line. I could be talking outta my a$$

 

[Smitty17]

Thanks for the tips! i'll give it a try tomorrow morning.

 

[sprdv1]

Yes sir...

It can happen. They can also wear out, so it could go either way at this point.

Easy enough to test though. If your reservoir is full and pointing the hose output down below the pump does not result in priming, then try holding it upright and dribbling some water down it to get to the pump from the other side.
Then hold your finger over the open end while pushing the button to see if that helps instigate something. Hopefully even a squirt in the face showing it's working!

Obviously this could be awkward, so a helper might come in handy. But if you're by yourself you can get a longer piece of hose for not too much money. But I think with the existing hose the dash switch can be reachable.

But speaking of the old hose, how old is it? If it's perfect, fine. But if it's questionable, I would replace it because little air leaks are going to make it a little bit harder to do the priming.
Of course, the real priming takes effect on the back side of the pump inside the reservoir, but some pressure buildup from the outside can really help. And air holes work against you.

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

Thanks for the tips! i'll give it a try tomorrow morning.

good luck bro

 

[Rustytruck]

was the pump a foot pump like the early mustang with the bag resiviour?

 

[DirtDonk]

All the Bronco pumps I've seen have been electric. But with the early wipers being vacuum sourced from the fuel pumps, and the wiper knob being a separate fatter unit on the left side on some really early models, I wonder if any were push-pump actuated from the dash?
Never a foot pump as far as I know, but can't guarantee that the first ones were not some sort of manual pump with a different actuator.
But I've never seen such an animal. Always been electric that I've seen.

Okie and some of the other '66 experts can tell us for sure though.

Paul

 

[Smitty17]

Thanks all for your comments. It is the bag type reservoir with a small electric motor/pump mounted to the firewall. I was able to get it all apart. The motor works fine but the pump doesn’t pump. It’s just a couple of “gears” in a little plastic housing. Any ideas on where I might find an NOS pump or good used one? I found new pumps on a few of the vendor sites. Anyone have experience with those?
Again, thanks!

 

[Smitty17]

I have the bag with a small metal motor/pump mounted on the firewall. I was able to get the motor and pump apart. The motor works but the pump doesn’t. The two little “gears” in the plastic pump housing must be worn. I have seen similar new pumps on some of the vendor sites but would like to replace it with an NOS pump or good used one? Any suggestions on that? Thanks!

 

[Rustytruck]

Do a search on the ford part number.

 

[DirtDonk]

This is the one you have? https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Windshield-Washer-Pump-68-70-Solvent-Pump/Bronco_Wiper_Parts
It probably is not the same for the '66, but wondering if it could be retrofitted. It's the one for the earlier plastic tank.

Do new bags come with pumps? I don't see them on our site, but I seem to remember carrying something for awhile.
If they're still available the Mustang sites probably still have them. Different colors were used, including black and (I think?) white?

Paul

 

[Major Tom]

this is what you need