Ice build up-binding wipers. Cure?

[Newf Limo]

I get alot of ice and snow that builds up in that area between the hood and the windshield. It really binds the windshield wipers and I am afraid that they are going to break when I need them the most. The defroster doesn't seem to keep the windshield cleared at the bottom very well, and there is about a six inch round spot right at drivers eye level that freezes also, unless I have it set to full blast and full hot, man does THAT get uncomfortable! #ad
Wet heavy snow is the worst, It builds up in that trough below the wipers, add the water that the wipers pull down from the windshield, and you get a great big block of ice that requires me to pull over, pop the hood and pry out. The blocks are to big to get out with the hood closed. I would like to come up with some sort of electric heat strip for the bottom 2" of windshield since the defroster seems to miss that area, but I am clueless about what to do about the trough that I call my automatic ice maker. Are the vents there for fresh air intake? Any ideas? Anyone else have this problem?

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2001 ETH 6spd 4X4 SLT

• Dark Garnet Red Pearlcoat
• A. R. E. MX Topper & Walk-thru Door
• 3. 54 Anti-Slip Diff.
• Trailer & Camper pkg.
• Turbo Silencer Ring in Glove Box
• Snow Plow Prep aka Moving to Colorado Prep

Nothin' could be sweeter than "Rammin' With My Newfys!!"

 

[illflem]

Living in snow country I've found it's best not to heat the windshield. Unless it's very wet snow it just blows off while driving,no need for wipers. Heater on recic and windows cracked keeps things defrosted. Prestone Windshield Deicer washer fluid works well also. You need to keep the area between the windshield and hood clear so the vent intakes aren't blocked,I use a broom when I can't park under cover. Best thing is to not drive while it's snowing if possible.

 

[abledog]

Move!!!!!!

 

[Deezal Man]

I also don't have a total cure for this problem, but found a combination of doing what others have already posted. . along with Rain-X on the windshield helps quite a bit.

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[willyslover]

sur'ly you jest. . Marina del Rey... snow/ice
tell us another one #ad
#ad

 

[HDH]

Originally posted by willyslover:
sur'ly you jest. . Marina del Rey... snow/ice
tell us another one #ad
#ad

LOL!, Gary I was thinking the Samething!
Hey Newf, You Must Go on Trips to the Mountains?,
Hey Wait a Minute. The Santa Barbra Mountains Got loads of Snow with this last Storm. #ad

Doug.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Newf Limo,
I would think that the melted snow should run down the air vent tube, make sure it is not blocked.
Try putting selector switch for floor and defrost that way heat from floor will work its way up to firewall/cowl and should help melt ice.
You can try removing the rubber gasket on cowl see if air from engine will melt it, but warm/hot air should be coming off engine and exhuast and heating firewall.
Adjust your outlet vents if possible for spot in front eyes.
Some auto part stores sell rear window defroster kits.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[Timinator]

I bought a set of winter blades. The kind with the boot around the entire mechanism. We get snow regularly in CO and I have to drive almost every day. These are definitely better than the stock blades, but not a 100% cure. I try to clear the windshield before I drive and then I try to avoid running the defroster, especially when the wet heavy snow comes down.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

Originally posted by Tim Barlow:
I bought a set of winter blades. The kind with the boot around the entire mechanism.

tim i have a set of these blades also , can't drive above 65 with the wipers on , they don't clean well , at 85 they don't even touch the glass #ad

 

[Newf Limo]

Okay, how come I knew I was going to catch @%#$ for posting this from Marina del Rey #ad
Actually Green Valley Lake and Big Bear are just two hours from here and anytime we hear that snow is on the way, we pack up the Newfs and head for the hills. We were up there a week and a half ago and got about 3 feet in the 4 days we were there.
The biggest part of the problem happens after shuttung down for the night. The slush and water from a warm vehicle freezes overnight on the fresh air vent and create a block of ice that stops at the base of the windshield wiper arms, extending down the arms a few inches. I can't leave the ice there because it takes no time at all for a binding situation to occur from the new snow as I start driving (after manually clearing the windshield). The block of ice that forms is to big to be removed without opening the hood and removing it. I also get one that forms while driving in snowy conditions at around 28*-32*F. It has bent something in the wiper works enough so that now my wipers won't retract to their full down position. I have driven many other vehicles in snow in Idaho and Boston for many years, this is the first time I have experienced this kind of problem, and I am tired of pulling over every 20 minutes to clear the snow and Ice. At one point it stopped my wipers all together and was probably ready to blow the fuse.


[This message has been edited by Newf Limo (edited 02-22-2001). ]

 

[DennyDay]

When I got my '94 I found out real quickly about the ice build up at the bottom of the windshield due to the defroster being blocked by the dash.

I grabbed a liquid detergent bottle, cleaned it out and filled it with windshield washer solvent from those gallon jugs. I don't cut it with water, just use it straight and it does a fair job. If you are going slow you can reach out the window and squirt and hit both sides.

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here

 

[Newf Limo]

Thanks C. D. , that is an interesting Idea. #ad

 

[RKohn]

Hey Newf,

Do your wipers kinda klunk now, like the linkage is hitting the plastic cowl? I think that's what happened to mine.

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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 anti-spin, 265-75-16 LTX’s (There ain’t no such thing as options, cause ya gotta have it all, including: DC’s dead cow/vinyl interior and don’t stop anti-lock brakes. ) Stock, but not for long. Oops, too late. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

 

[DennyDay]

Here is another interesting idea --- There has to be some heat tape out there somewhere that will work with 12 volts. How about tape along outside bottom of windshield to start melt? It might work. If no 12v maybe an inverter with short piece of 110 v.

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here

 

[Newf Limo]

RKohn, No, they aren't clunking yet. I can see how they would if they get bent anymore though.

C. D. Day, I thought about the 12VDC tape but haven't been able to find it. I have an inverter but that stuff is such a hard short that it would seem to be a heck of a draw. If I could find some of that aftermarket stick-on defroster tape in a small roll instead of buying a whole window grid, I could run a strip or two along the length of the bottom of the windshield and hook it into the switch via relay to my mirror defrost switch. I could develop some sort of heat riser systen to take care of the fresh air vents along the underneath of the hood. Remember the old VW Bug heaters?

Thanks guys for your input. GRRREEEAAATly appreciated. Well it is raining here in L. A. so I guess it is time to load up the dogs and let them make first tracks in the mountain snow!!!! #ad
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2001 ETH 6spd 4X4 SLT

• Dark Garnet Red Pearlcoat
• A. R. E. MX Topper & Walk-thru Door
• 3. 54 Anti-Slip Diff.
• Trailer & Camper pkg.
• Turbo Silencer Ring in Glove Box
• Snow Plow Prep aka Moving to Colorado Prep

Nothin' could be sweeter than "Rammin' With My Newfys!!"

 

[CCahill]

Just noticed in the J C Whitney catalog, they have a wiper water heater... . HMMMMMMM

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2001 Quad,4x4,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded,no leather... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/d
Specialized FSR Stumpjumper PRo
Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Newf- see earlier my post in the Forums to Articats similar problem . Jacobs Electronics sells a n apparently tank-style (no pressure loss) heater 12V powered (no cutting coolant hoses). 120 degrees in 90 seconds. I can clear the glass of ice in a couple of shots and I find alot less accumulation areound the wipers as well. Of course if you are losing defroster airflow that'll compound the problem. I've had my heater most of the winter-love it, use alot less and don't need the fancy 'lava juice'.

 

[illflem]

I've heard of people rerouting and wrapping several feet of poly tubing around the upper radiator hose to heat the washer water,but it won't help till your truck is warmed up.

 

[Cooker]

It seems like spraying 120 degree washer fluid on a relatively cold windshield would cause the windshield to crack. Apparently you haven't had this problem yet. I be interested in one of these heaters, but fear I'd be replacing windshields.