Frozen washers!!

[bigman75]

Hi

Anyone suggest how or where I can defrost the screen wash system?

I operate the stalk and I can hear the pump/motor running. The wipers work but no washing function. The nozzles look clear.

I am assuming that either the pipes feeding the nozzles have frozen or the actual reservoir has frozen up.

The thing is, this didn't happen last year/early this year. For the record I use an concentrate screen wash which I dilute to the recommended measures.

Can anyone shed any light how to resolve this problem?? Seems strange why it's happening now but not before. Can't think of anything that's changed.

Thanks in advance guys and girls

Cheers

Andy

 

[Ibiza 09]

frozen reservoir mines the same and mines just concentrate washer fluid in, nothing you can do

 

[bigman75]

Bugger!

 

[Ibiza 09]

anno rubbish aint it, ive got a spare bottle in the boot but thats also froze

 

[bigman75]

The thing is, it ain't gonna get any better. I can only assume that the engine warmth will help defrost it. Hmmmmm.

 

[Ibiza 09]

doubt it ive used my car everyday for around 80 mins (varies with traffic) on my way to work and its still frozen solid

 

[bisto48]

had the same problem this morning. never had the problem before with both my mini or my 206. stupid seat!

 

[Deleted member 55317]

My old fiesta had this problem every winter even with pure concentrate. I found that a few hours in a multi story car park while shopping or at uni usually defrosted it enough for the drive home to finish the job from engine heat.

 

[jc_boc]

Thankfully mine aint frozen yet and I am hoping that by covering the car it will deter most of the freezing process too hehehehehe

 

[Biker]

The thing is, it ain't gonna get any better. I can only assume that the engine warmth will help defrost it. Hmmmmm.

No it doesn't....

Just got back from birmingham and the washer jets have been frozen the whole 240 mile 5 hour journey........

Not Happy

 

[Ibiza 09]

mines been frozen for days, i even shake the pipe which goes to the reservoir and you can hear the water cracking

 

[Belmont Turbo]

mines frozen as well think im gonna stick a few drops of anti-freeze in mine. that should sort it i think don't know if it will do the paint much good tho lol

 

[Deleted member 56597]

Same problem, been frozen for a few days now.

I tried pouring concentrated screen wash down but it just backed up the pipe and after a motorway drive (expected it to melt and work) it still didnt work.

 

[great_kahn]

Mines not frozen, but i would be putting hot water into the wash bottle, try and defrost it, flush the system then top up with undiluted winter screen wash.

 

[FR_POWER]

Mines not frozen, but i would be putting hot water into the wash bottle, try and defrost it, flush the system then top up with undiluted winter screen wash.

I did that once, my whole washer system froze up within 15mins of driving! i read that hot water freezes quicker than cold water..

 

[mardon]

Mine did it as well as the xenon washers getting slightly stuck out. Just taken me 1.45mins to get into work. The engine was well warmed... still frozen. ghey!

Also WHY are people driving like complete tools. The motorway is not icy in the slightest but people are driving ridiculously slow and over breaking.. I must also add from my observations it was only particular group of "People" as well, being over cautious isn’t always safe!. 50mph outside line.. would they move over.. would they ****.

 

[mardon]

I did that once, my whole washer system froze up within 15mins of driving! i read that hot water freezes quicker than cold water..

This is true belive it or not.

Your best off using slightly warm (just a little over room temperature) water with your choice of antifreeze.

 

[Wilko]

Buy some decent screenwash.
The blue crap is good for -4c when neat.
You can buy stuff from halfords that's good for -23c neat, or -12 at 50/50 mix
I use 50/50, and it hasn't frozen yet.
Plan b is get some methanol, at 50/50 it's good for -40c

 

[bigman75]

Good news.............mine defrosted today! It warmed up a little, -1!!! lol

Very sunny car park at work. I blasted out the diluted stuff and I've poured in BlueCol sub zero, neat! It says it's good to -36!!! Ave it!

DO NOT put anti-freeze in your screen wash. Not an good idea.

TBH, I'm concerned that I've used this stuff neat. It even says avoid prolonged use of this product. Eh well, diluted Halfords Concentrate clearly doesn't work! Maybe the official VAG stuff from Barlows again in the future.

Cheers