So, our fellow Mazda brothers on the Miata forums found that they could replace the original mediocre windshield washer nozzles/squirters with better, more modern, "Fluidic" ones from the Mazda Tribute aka Ford Escape SUV.

So, I ordered a set of these from Ray at Malloy and installed them today. These things work much, much better than the original nozzles. Here are two videos that I tried to make to illustrate the difference. The new Fluidic nozzle is on the driver side. The original is on the passenger side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibOzSsWG244
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ysHdfBdc4

You can definitely see how the Fluidic nozzle covers a much broader area and disperses the washer fluid much better across the windshield.

I'll post install pics tomorrow when I have more time. While the nozzles install in the same holes and have the same clips in the rear, they are just a wee bit smaller. On the faded red paint on my car, you can see the outline of the old nozzles so its not perfect but does work much better.



Link to the long thead on Miata.net
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=181866

Background on Fluidic windshield nozzles:
http://www.bowlesfluidics.com/produc...hield-nozzles/
More here on Fluidics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluidics

Part Number info:
window washer nozzles from the 2001 Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute.
Part numbers:
Ford Escape - YL8Z-17603-AA Washer Jet
Mazda Tribute - EC01-67-50YA

 

thanks for sharing, now tidy up that garage. LOL

 

Nice. Its a shame I bought brand new ones before .

 

crap. i don't even have sprayers anymore. my shine FPR feed hood didnt come with the holes pre-cut, so i decided to not install them. i wash my windshield by hand often enough that i don't need them.

 

Installation is a breeze. Follow along with the attached pics.

1. Start by pulling on the hoses that connect to the nozzles to remove. It helps to use a set of long, think needle nose pliers to twist and pull.

2. Once the hose is removed you can shine a light up there and see the rear of the nozzle. There are clips on the top and bottom (forward/rear) that you need to squeeze with a set of long, thin needle nose pliers and push upward. It takes a few tries to get a feel for it but it will remove pretty easily.

3. Nozzle removed. Note the shape. Also note the outline of the old nozzles. I couldn't get those marks out on my car. Considering my paint is original, those marks are the least of my worries.

4. Shows the nozzle alongside the hole. Push it in. Don't jam it in. Align it, push and keep pushing until you hear a light crackling sound as the clips clip into position.

5. Installed.

 

Here is a pic with the 2 nozzles side by side. You can see how crappy my original, 15 year old, faded, chipped nozzle looks like.


If you are the kind of person that uses the squirters often, you will appreciate these. I just figured I'd share.


Halifax - Yes, the garage is a mess. Besides all my "spare" FD parts, I have a Miata drivetrain and suspension subframes and a bunch of race parts sitting around waiting to be installed. Almost done with my Spec Miata build.

 

Nice! I've seen that before on other cars.

I RARELY use my washer nozzles as it just makes my car a big damn mess. Since I don't DD it that's fine. Of course, if I had something on my window I couldn't see through I'd be all up in it.

You could probably paint the nozzles to match. I bet you could find some model paint at the hobby shop that's a close match to your paint and brush it on by hand. Model paint flows smooth so it doesn't leave brush marks.

Also, trick on removing nozzles. Get a 10mm socket, preferably deep well, and push it over the nozzle from below. The 10mm socket will compress the 2 retaining tangs and it will pop right out. Super easy.

Dale

 

Good tip Dale but please don't paint the nozzles. They look better black. I'm pretty sure they are supposed to be black from factory but I do see evidence leaning both ways.

 

good to see that my garage is like a lot of others, as far as spare parts are concerned. Good luck with the miata build.

 

My new nozzles from Ray Crowe came painted VR.

 

how much are they?

 

$13.78 for the pair from Ray at Malloy

 

bump!
thanks for sharing......
I'll get one right now!

 

Hey man thanks for the info. A nice little touch especially for a daily driver.

 

A bump from an FC owner. Snagged a set from Ray and doing great on the DD.

 

I'm reading this thread like "Heck yeah, I'm gonna do this!"

and then I look at a pic of my FD and realize...

"Oh wait...my hood doesn't have spray nozzles in it...."

T_T

 

Nice. Time to send Ray some more money!

 

Here is an updated video from 10 years ago.

 

its in the parts catalog. cars that were yellow, red or white got painted nozzles, all the other colors were unpainted black plastic

 

Giving this a good bump. I took the nozzles from a 2009 Mazda Tribute at a junkyard.
Next time you're at a junkyard pull a set. It only takes a couple minutes of your time.

 

Damnit! I just did this but used the OEM squirters, and they still suck. Dale's advice about the socket was good btw. It made the job very simple.

 

Good stuff. Wonder if anybody found the best wiper combo for this?

 

You know, it's funny - I always thought the stock sprayers were awful but didn't know how to describe what I was looking for instead. Even my old 5th gen Celica sprayed in a fan pattern, so I was surprised the first time I used the sprayer in my FD and got a gentle water-gun like stream. Not to mention the driver's side one is clogged or misaligned so it shoots over my roof

I know *** Mazda can't fulfill orders atm, so I got a set of the Tribute ones new off Amazon for about $13. The review section is awesome, it's basically all Miata guys praising this mod

@saiko88 I run PIAA Aero Vogue silicone wipers, which i think work quite well.

 

Got a link to the nozzles?

 

@Billy7