Correct Windshield Washer Fluid Bottle for my '77 Beetle

[ScottK66]

A few weeks ago, I bought a used washer bottle out of the Samba classifieds for my car as mine was missing entirely. I finally figured out that it actually mounted to the spare wheel itself and did not fit in the recessed area behind the spare. I really don't understand what the recess is for. I just got the retaining pins and thought I was finally going to be able to install it, but I can't seem to get in in a position where the pins go through the studs on the bottle. Then, the thought occurred to me that because my car has sport wheels, maybe it takes a different bottle and the one I have just fits a standard wheel. Does anyone know if there's a difference? To add insult to injury, while I was trying to get in mounted, the hose tore off the filler cap, so now I will at minimum need another one of those. If the bottle isn't correct, I may just have to scrap the whole works and start over.

[baldessariclan]

Would suspect that VW never made a separate washer bottle for non-standard / custom rimmed wheels - they probably always just supplied a standard steel-wheeled spare tire, which the washer bottle fits with. You could do the same in your car, if you want to use the stock washer bottle & system.

Note that the "studs" on the washer bottle should go through the lower two lug holes on the spare wheel, while the filler neck and cap poke though the hole in the center (e.g. zoom in on pic below):

Finally, when replacing the washer system hosing (note - highly recommended if it's old/original tubing), make sure you get the right kind -- it's specifically sized to fit tightly on the various connection barbs, plus built to handle the system pressure as well: https://www.bughaus.com/Washer_Fluid_Hose_-_N180571.htm
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[ScottK66]

Maybe I'm just stupid, but I'm still struggling with how my washer bottle is supposed to mount to my spare wheel. If I get it where I can access and unscrew the cap through the center hole, I can't get the retaining pins to go in correctly. If I get the bottle positioned to where the pins will go in correctly, it throws the filler neck off center and there's no way I can get the cap to screw on. Do the sport wheels take a different bottle or is it one size fits all? Also, I think I asked this before, but what's the purpose of the recessed area behind the spare wheel. It's obviously not for holding the washer bottle like I originally thought it was.

[Cusser]

I made little L-shaped clips for mine from metal coat hangers. Of course, the pressure system was useless/full of problems, so now I use electric washer pumps on both mine.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Weezle]

the shape of your wheel is different from the wheel in the second post. Your sport wheel has a bit of a nose in the center. Maybe try reversing the wheel in the wheel well to see if the bottle will fit that way??? If not maybe its a wrong bottle or you could McGiver an extension onto the filler neck.
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I got a fever, and the only prescription is more beetles!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604918&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=759868&highlight=

[baldessariclan]

Yeah, don't think there's any way that washer bottle is going to mate up correctly with a sport wheel - the stock washer bottle just isn't designed to fit that sort of wheel.

Once again, would question if VW ever even made a separate washer bottle for wheels other than the standard stock wheels - ? And/or maybe the sport wheels were ever only commonly available on Super Beetles, which uses a completely different washer bottle and mounting arrangement - ?

In any case, if you want to use that washer bottle you've currently got, you'll need to be using a standard stock wheel rim for your spare tire. Otherwise, you can explore if there is indeed a separate / different washer bottle that was designed to fit those sport wheels (?). Or consider switching over to an electric pump windshield wash system, like Cusser mentions above.
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[ScottK66]

Believe it or not, I figured it out. In order to get the nozzle centered in the center hole of the wheel, the studs wind up being at an angle where you can't get the pins all the way through on the front side of the wheel. However, I figured out that you can start the retaining pin through the stud on the back side and push it through to the front side. It seems to be holding, so I think I'm okay. Now, I just have to inflate my spare to 42 lbs., put some fluid in the bottle and see if it works.

[MuzzcoVW]

[ScottK66]

Interesting to know that. I figured that the way I had it probably was not how it was originally. Given that the correct holder is hard to find, I'm just happy I was able to make the pins work. My car is a nice driver but not a show car. I've always been one to want to use the correct parts when possible, but sometimes you just have to make things work the best you can.

[ScottK66]

So almost a month after getting my bottle hooked up, I finally got fluid in it today and tried it. Meant to do it sooner, but have been sidetracked by a lot of things around here. Washer works fine. That's one more project I can cross off my to do list.

[74 Thing]

What is the hole in the top of the cap for?

When I pressurize mine air comes out of the vent hole on top. Is there a set pressure in the valve that will release pressure if it is too high through this vent hole or what is its purpose?

Thanks

[ScottK66]

I just had to piece mine together and figure it out as I went. I would guess that may be some sort of vent hole. I just inflated the tire to 42 lbs. according to the sticker near the latch, tried it and it worked.

[74 Thing]

Well I have 3 caps in the parts stash so I will look at the white colored check valve and maybe I can use the parts from 3 to make one good working cap. I guess I have a project for this afternoon.

[baldessariclan]

[beetle08]

Vehicles with Sport Wheels did not use the two plastic clips. They came with a wire holder which would hold the washer tank. The wheel was inserted face in to accommodate the holder and tank as shown:

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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[redhot]

Two BaT links/images; one per the above (which seems more service friendly and hence correct) and other "works" but more.... Not "German Engineering"?
But seems a "gamble" btw. air filling vs. fluid filling... If there is some slack the lower solution is maybe the best (both services without removing the wheel?) Or one would have a separate filling hose/valve accessible from the rear side of wheel still)


Assume the above solution does not make steel-to-steel contact - and I do not think any Standard type (flat windscreen, torsion bar front suspension) had 5.5 ET26/34) wheel size, while profile towards edge/tire may not matter to much...

Did not find/see any original photos from back in the '70s, but it looks "best" the one above

[beetle08]

Not sure I understand. The photo I referenced is my personal car and the wheels are 4.5 not 5.5 The metal carrier does make metal to metal contact, you could plastidip the ends if you'd like. Filling the tire with this option is a little bit more work. I honestly think the electric units that mount to the inner fender bolt area are the best.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[viiking]

The OACDP parts manual shows two washer bottles were available after 1970.

The normal one 111 955 453 which is the same shape as the one we see in the pictures above and the one we normally see. This is for M617, 111,112, 115,116,M1,M62.

The other one 111 955 453B. This one from the manual appears to be a slightly longer (?) cylinder but has the outlet at one end not in the centre. It does not have any "nibs" for the wedge pins to go through. This is for 113, 114, 117, 118, 151, 152. It fits the two lever steering wheel column.

The manual also does NOT show any dinky little wire contraptions to hold the bottle in place.

Now, how and where the bottle fits is not obvious.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[beetle08]

It does appear in parts manuals: https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/us/volkswagen/bug/electrical/wipers-washers.html

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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[viiking]

No, it looks like this.

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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3