Screenwash bottle!

[Chilli Girl]

Why does it seem to become so mucky inside?  If I'm honest I don't top it up very often as don't tend to use it.  Is this the reason I wonder why the measuring plastic "thingy" gets so filthy?  I suppose I shall need to remove the frunk trim to get to it and perhaps remove it somehow but it's in an awkward position? Any tips anyone please?   s:D s:D

[Joesson]

It used to rain in Salisbury when we lived there, I blame Global warming  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

Do you use a screen wash additive or just plain water?
I suggest that plain water would stagnate and things start growing giving a mucky appearance, whereas screen wash additive would help keep the water from going "off"
As it is dirty now it is perhaps best to remove the bottle as it will need to be flushed probably copiously.if you try to " flush " via the washers
you would chance blocking the jets. if you remove the pipe close to the bottle you would avoid blocking the jets but it could take some time to empty the bottle, at least twice.
Sorry, but that's all I can suggest.

[Chilli Girl]

Thanks Tony. I must admit I don't tend to top up with screenwash  s:( s:(   naughty Chilli!   s:( s:(

[Carolyn]

Try a 1/4 cup bleach in the mix when you fill it up.  It's worked for me in the past.

[StuC]

+1 on the stagnating water.

I used to use just water too. Using her as a daily driver though throughout the winter it just doesn't work. It's cheap enough to buy in 5 litre bottles and readily available.  :-) :-) :-)

[Call the midlife!]

Depending on how often you use the washers you should check the make up of the screenwash you use also. Some of them can also "go off" over time and produce a rank odour when you use them. The alcohol based ones tend to last longer.


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[Joesson]

PS, DO NOT use washing up liquid. This tends to jellify and can block the system.

I used to "have to"drive in all weathers and even resorted to a spray bottle containing methylated spirits that I got out of the car and applied. In the "olden days"screen wash was not proof against freezing temperatures. I was told that early rally drivers used gin! Probably put some in the screenwash bottle as well!

[Joesson]

Try a 1/4 cup bleach in the mix when you fill it up.  It's worked for me in the past.

Now, just be careful about this advice.
In another thread Carolyn has been talking about Hydrogen peroxide fuelled rocket cars.
 Hydrogen peroxide, amongst other things, is a bleaching agent.
So on that basis it may work against bacteria or whatever forming in water.
But it can also be used as rocket fuel!
OK, but just be careful about the dosage!
Rocket fuel or (Sloe) Gin depends on your driving style I guess.

[lamcote]

It is highly recommended that you always top up with good quality screen wash. If you just use plain water you are running the risk of contracting legionaries disease which is an extremely nasty and often deadly disease.

There are three things that create this risk in general;
1. Stagnant water
2. The water temperature is raised above 20C
3. The water is then splashed or sprayed (that's why people often catch it on holiday from hotel showers in warm countries)

In a car the legionella bugs thrive in the washer bottle, particularly in summer for us (but all year in front engined cars) and are dispersed when that water is sprayed onto the windscreen, and then you breathe them in.

A study was undertaken recently because it had been noticed that taxi drivers and lorry drivers were statistically more likely to catch legionaires disease than the general population and it was discovered that it was due to them not using screen wash in the washer bottle.

[Chilli Girl]

Thanks lamcote, shall invest in some for Christmas I think after reading about legionella!    s:( s:(

[lamcote]

 m https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-e ... per-water/ m

[Joesson]

Without trying very hard one could develop paranoia!
It is amazing how life can go on with seemingly everything around us featuring a potential hazard.

[nimrod]

I have always wondered why the max fill line is so low down, I always fill to just short of the rim, I use screen wash.

[SteveJ]

I have always wondered why the max fill line is so low down, I always fill to just short of the rim, I use screen wash.

Errr which bottle are you talking about? The washer bottle is hidden in the front wing and there's a dipstick attached to the filter but IIRC that doesn't have a max mark on it. The only bottle you can see a max & min line on is the coolant in the engine bay which should never have screen wash in it!

[nimrod]

I have always wondered why the max fill line is so low down, I always fill to just short of the rim, I use screen wash.

Errr which bottle are you talking about? The washer bottle is hidden in the front wing and there's a dipstick attached to the filter but IIRC that doesn't have a max mark on it. The only bottle you can see a max & min line on is the coolant in the engine bay which should never have screen wash in it!

You're perfectly correct, yes I did mean filler of the washer bottle, I forgot it had a dipstick! I still fill just short of the rim, doesn't seem to overspill so I'm not sure why it has a dipstick, would have even more trouble reading that one, it's harder than checking the oil.

[Chilli Girl]

Yes, I don't know what it is about these cars, their measuring dipsticks both for water and oil are awful to read!  s:( s:(

[Call the midlife!]

Premix your fluid and fill it until you see it in the filler filter is my usual course of action, never take the dipstick out.


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