Windscreen washers

Q I have bought a 2010 Honda Jazz 1.2 and noticed that the passenger windscreen washer jet emits a fairly feeble spray compared to the driver’s side. I tried the usual trick of poking the jet with a needle, without success. The jets seem to be encased within the plastic scuttle and I cannot find a way of releasing the scuttle to get at them.

Phillip Claridge

A To detach the trim, you need to undo the three plastic clips that are retaining it. There should be one in the centre and one at either side. After removing the rubber seal that runs along the front, the plastic panel should then lift up and away from the vehicle. Lift it from the screen side of the panel and expect a small amount of resistance as there are three further securing clips located on the underside.

Before doing this, I would try to clear the jet by squirting a small amount of white vinegar onto the washer before then using the needle to prod the jet. The biggest cause of weak jets is calcium in the water blocking them.

The vinegar should help disperse this and may save the need to remove and replace the jets. Another method is to clean the washer system using warm water with a denture cleaner tablet added. This will often help disperse the blockage, but it will need flushing through the system afterwards.