Subject Windscreen washer bottle gunge.

[MIG Wielder]

Over the past few years I've noticed the filter in my windscreen washer bottle getting blocked up by a brown slimy gunge. It was so bad yesterday it was like a mass of slimy seaweed in the bottle, probably because of not being used so much over the past 3 months.
I have tried 3 different washer fluids over the years and none of them solve the problem. I think this is organic in nature -like a mould- but I'm surprised to see it growing in what is a soapy methanol environment.
The MGB doesn't seem to have this problem !
Any ideas please ?
Tony.

[Carledo]

Throw the washer bottle in the dishwasher!

Then use distilled water and screenwash in future.

Steve

[tinweevil]

Halfords pre mixed. Mrs Weevil hates the smell of the purple one but I like it. 2x5 litres costs bog all at the right time of year. Being a big chain they don't want returns so it is marketed to -10 but totally over specced. All the concentrates I tried did as you describe.

Giving the whole system a severe clean at changeover can't hurt and check the gauze filter isn't loose in the bottom of the bottle (guess how I know to watch for that!)

Didn't try distilled water, that could be the same solution by a different route...

[Carledo]

Before I retired, I used to have to clean the bottle filters on many moderns on a regular basis and they slime up regardless of what fluid you use. Which is why I started using distilled water in my own cars. It seemed to follow that if one ingredient doesn't affect the outcome then the other must be at fault. But all is in vain if you don't start with a sterile bottle. I've not tried to convince customers to use distilled, most of them don't even know where the filler is!

At least with a Dolomite you don't have to take the bumper off or wheel arch guards apart to clean the filter!

Steve

[GrahamFountain]

Viz using distilled water. What about R.O. water off the window cleaner (like we marinade the tropical fish in)?

Graham

[Matt Cotton]

Hi Tony.

I've had this problem too, although I use my car so infrequently in bad weather I just have water in the bottle now.
However, my modern car is terrible for blocked washer jets - limescale deposits normally the issue, so when possible I top up with water from my water butt in the garden when possible.

MC