vacuum wiper

D

DjNeil

Member
Hi to all
I run a 36 and want to be sure i'm operating the wiper properly before cracking it open to take a look.
When I connect up the hose on the input tube on the left and pull out the knob just to its right the wipers move across but don't return. to the left of the knob under the input tube there is another knob you can turn clockwise or anti. I presume that is to regulate the vacuum to drive the wipers.
Is what I have said correct or am i doing something wrong as the wipers don't return after moving across.
Here is the unit
Thanks
Neil
 
Yes, you are correct. When you push the little knob on the right back in, the wiper arm should return to the 'Park' position. Have you tried to squirt a little oil into the tube and move the wiper by hand so it will suck some oil into the vacuum chamber? I would try that before taking it apart. Does turning the knob on the left all the way in or out make any difference in the speed of the wiper when it does move?

The following is quoted from PAUL2748 on 1/26,2013 in an earlier thread;

In many cases, an old vacuum wiper can be fixed with a little brake fluid (some use ATF) . What happens a lot of the time is that the "paddle" inside dries out and the brake fluid or ATF makes the paddle swell again to provide the seal needed. If still on the car, this can be done by pouring a little brake fluid in a bottle or can, inserting the vacuum hose going to the motor into the fluid and manually working the wiper blade back and forth about 6 -8 times. This should suck up the fluid into the wiper motor. Let sit overnight and then test it. Remember to put a rag under the motor (inside) to catch anything that may leak. Car may smoke some at first start up, but it will clear up. Do it again if needed.
 
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Thankyou sir,
i've never heard that you could do that with brake fluid so i'll give it a go.
I was testing it last night and heard a slight hissing as well which i hadn't heard before.
Is there a rebuild kit available if push comes to shove
Thanks
Neil
 
Be careful about using brake fluid, it can eat paint ---this is why I only use light oil like 3in1, or atf
if you move the blade by hand can you hear the valves switvh at each end of movement, it could be the valae gear is gummed up under the cover.
 
It appears the motor came from Ron. since the entire motor as well as the connecting tubes are chromed. His motors do not work too well, because of the way he plates them. He will tell you they are for decoration only and not function, many times he modifies other wipers or their parts to make them appear to be for a Cabriolet or Roadster. Under the heart shaped cover is the mechanical switch to reverse the motor. Be careful the cover may be glued in place. You may want to use ATF instead of corrosive brake fluid to try to get it to work. Don't put either fluid through the speed regulator, they are not repairable and have a diaphragm.
 
Who is Ron please and how can you tell my motor is from him. I'm in France so a long way from getting it looked at.
Right,i've been out tinkering and have put a quarter of a straw of brake fluid into the tube and manged to suck the rest down my throat.
I moved the wipers to and fro and I thought there was a bit to much resistance and after 20 plus times they move a lot easier.
I started the car and pulled out the knob and nothing happened,i pushed it back in and they dropped to their vertical position. In summary the only way they work is to pull and push the knob. I had the vacuum set mid way on the other big screw.There is definitely a sucking noise all the time from the vacuum motor when the engine is on which i'm guessing is a split diaphragm or similar.There is a very small screw with a slot head immediately to the right of the vacuum adjusting screw,anyone know what that does please
These old cars suffer as much from being mothballed and stuff drying out as being abused in my own opinion.
Thanks
Neil
 
Heart shaped cover is off can anyone tell me what's what. Are these wiper motors original to 36s as I have a hole either side of it on the frame that look like they are for mounting a vacuum wiper.
I'll see if I can post to wiperman from France if I can't fix it.
Thanks
Neil
 
Disconnect the spring and gently remove the fiber ring (It can break). Remove the little switching device that is under the fiber ring clean it and add a little lube so it moves back and forth (side to side) with ease, replace fiber ring and spring then retry the motor, with the wiper arm removed and the regulator removed. It is fine to assist the wiper to move by hand. Once the ATF gets inside and lubes the motor paddle it may work better and better. You can then reconnect the regulator. The regulator has a small hole on the rear if vacuum is leaking from the small hole the regulator is defective and you may want to plug the hole with some clear RTV or even a piece of tape, this will apply full vacuum to the motor and prevent it from leaking from the regulator.
 
With it being mounted that way it will be hard for the oil to lube the paddle inside
When moving the wiper arm you should be able to see the valve flopping back and forth

The rechroming process isn't nice to the mechanical surfaces inside

The park function is a separate passage, and when parked a flap on the paddle covers the passage shutting off the vacuum

For my 36 I got a NOS one with no bubbles in the chrome ---I figured that it was worth spending for because it is seen by the driver ( me)
 
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