So what does that little red and black "Y" connector do anyway?

My guess is that it lets the water drain back down out of the hood hoses?

So what's the big deal and do I really need it up here in the freezing cold?

It comes apart but I couldn't clean it enough to get it to work again. I can empty a full bottle of windshield washer out through that little hole in about 15 seconds! IT really comes out of there.....and of course nothing gets to the windshield. I replaced it with a plain "Y" connector and it works fine. Just wondering if I should bother getting another one of these things.

Thanks!

dnw

I was able to clean mine in my 1989 740 and get it to work. It got stopped up again after a short time, but the second time I made a more serious effort, including taking it apart and cleaning diligently,

and it has been working for 6 months. It appears to work correctly since the fluid flows immediately. While the other responses indicate the part is not expensive, cleaning may be an option and may save time ordering.

Jim Weber

I was able to clean mine in my 1989 740 and get it to work. It got stopped up again after a short time, but the second time I made a more serious effort, including taking it apart and cleaning diligently,

and it has been working for 6 months. I appear to work correctly since the fluid flows immediately. While the other responses indicate the part is not expensive, cleaning may be an option and may save time ordering.

Jim Weber

Thanks everybody! I knew you were all smarter than me...........I didn't think about the tube sucking in plain water and freezing up........

All the best!

Dave

'91 945T 130K

IPD sells them for 5 bux. You can probably get them lots of places. I replaced mine on mine 91 945T and now I have washers. 5 bux, 5 minutes. EZ fix.

"...and do I really need it up here in the freezing cold?"

You need a check valve more than ever in the freezing cold. If the check valve fails, the washer fluid will drain back and "suck" a bit of ordinary water (melted snow, ice, etc.) with it. When the engine and hood cool, this will freeze solid. You'll have NO washers 'til everything thaws.

BTDT.

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

It is a check flow valve which prevents the washer fluid from all flowing to the lowest point in the system, the resevoir. A 'Y' would work, but it will take much longer to get the fluid to the windshield. They are not that expensive and do die every so often.

I usually keep a spare or two on hand.

dick