Winter Pack Washer Jets Freezing

[Icehquk]

I've searched a few threads and found a few old ones on this but nothing solid. I had the winter pack upgrade fitted to my Leon FR 07 plate. The heated seats are a dream in the mornings this time of year but the washer jets are a joke. The dealer informed me after I said what a waste of time it was heating the water up if the nozzles are frozen that in fact it's the nozzles that heat up. Well after a few cold nights the dash display saying it was -1 when I got in and fired her up at 5am, not that cold really, and nearly an hour drive into work they still won't spray It seems that once the temperature drops below -1 they aren't spraying for love nor money
I took the car in today and they fobbed me off by saying the screenwash they used on the service last month was the cheap stuff and I should buy the expensive stuff to which I told them to shove and put the expensive one in for me, they did However I'm not convinced after reading that people have sprayed in conditions as low as -5 on other threads that they actually work
So what are peoples experience of the heated jets? What temps have you found them working down too? I always throw allot more screenwash in this time of year but it's a difficult one to argue with the dealer unless I can give them some examples so guys and gals give me ammo to fire at them

 

[DaveysFR]

My headlamp washers seem to work fine even at -4 degrees which we had here over the christmas holidays. Also I agree with you, the heated seats are a great option to have.

 

[Leigh15]

When it was cold up here - around -4 to -6, the washers wouldn't work on my A3, despite them being heated. I don't think they're much cop to be honest.

 

[Jedimaster65]

I had the same problem on my Cupra (no winter pack) - during the really cold period at new year, they would remain frozen all day, so I keep a bottle of water in the car give the windscreen a quick swig at traffic lights - not ideal !

 

[Icehquk]

Yeah I spoke to Seat UK today and they wouldn't put a temperature on it so basically yes they are st!!
Any further comments to throw back to them let me know but yes it seems the heated seats rock the heated water jets they may aswell not bother
Still at least it looks like it's not just me thanks people

 

[Jedimaster65]

How do other manufacturers heated jets work ?

Do they have a wire element in the actual washer tubes ?

 

[andycupra]

i assume you have all got screenwash that resistant to freezing...
i know you may say thats not the point. But if the pipes /bottle are frozen then it makes not odds heating the nozzles.. ???

 

[Jedimaster65]

Yes, I have, though when I had problems I switched to the AUTOGLYM screenwash (-45) and this seems much more freeze resistant than the cheap stuff.

 

[spenny2004]

mine have not frozen up yet though the water has frozen in the bottle so wouldnt spray much

 

[Tam]

I dont have the winter pack, but do have xenons so have headlamp jets.

The jets haven't frozen at all, it took almost an hour for the windscreen washers to work, but throughout all of it, the headlamp jets worked, even at -7.5

 

[Icehquk]

Not sure how they worked I assumed some kind of element in the jets. I'll see how I get on now they have put the expensive stuff in for me Not sure about the headlight washer if they were working seems the answer is just to get better screenwash solution

 

[warren_cox]

So far mine have been fine, but mine is garaged overnight so it's only when its been left out all day that the car gets cold.

Heated exterior mirrors are a success, and heated seats a necessity as the leather is bloody freezing, but I do run a high concentrate of winter washer fluid as the xenon lights need to be kept clean and I don't want the mechanism knackering.

Does someone know why xenons come with headlight cleaners and not normal headlamps?

 

[Jace]

So far mine have been fine, but mine is garaged overnight so it's only when its been left out all day that the car gets cold.

Mine too


I have neither winter pack or xenons, but I do have common sense & use a much stronger concentrate of screen wash in winter.

Just up the dilution ratio & you'll be fine.


Get the proper VAG stuff & your laughing.

 

[Leigh15]

Just to add - my car is running the correct winter concentration of VAG approved screenwash - it only froze on the one really cold morning, but nonetheless it really shouldn't on a car with heated washers

 

[warren_cox]

Just to add - my car is running the correct winter concentration of VAG approved screenwash - it only froze on the one really cold morning, but nonetheless it really shouldn't on a car with heated washers

Trade descriptions act really. The winter pack ain't cheap is it.

 

[Leigh15]

I agree - my car's over 4 years old now and I'm the second owner so I'm not really that bothered.

However it is a bit crap - the temperatures we see here are hardly cold compared to those regularly reached in many places the cars are sold - Germany for a start!

 

[Icehquk]

Exactly my point with the temperatures elsewhere like Germany they should be allot better. I always up the dilution of the washer fluid in the winter I had hoped that the heated washer jets would mean I may get the windscreen wet when it's cold but no they are pants! Heated mirrors and seats work a treat though so thats something but I'll be buying the VAG stuff on my next visit to the stealers to put in the washer fluid.
Naughty the way it's sold to you though, the whole 'oh it means in the winter the washers will still work and it won't freeze on screen' yeah ok then Mr salesman

 

[Fl@pper]

it's the jet's themselves that are heated

do your mirrors defrost when you turn the rear heated screen on ?

 

[Michael B]

I never use my washers if its minus outside, untill there is a little temp in the engine to ensure the heat defrosts any fluid in the pipes of the washer. Parents had a VW Sharon and it burst the pipes because some stupid eajit kept the washer on when it was frozen..

Does your washers work when your engine is up to temp?

 

[warren_cox]

it's the jet's themselves that are heated

do your mirrors defrost when you turn the rear heated screen on ?

yup, but you have to have the mirror adjustment switch in the central position where there is a little heated rear window icon.