Anti-Freeze in Washer Bottle

[Mikeyplum]

SO, every month at work we have an Elf & Safety leaflet dropped on our desk for our viewing pleasure. This month, because of the arctic like conditions :rollseyes: it's focussing on winter driving, where we are advised to:

"...make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up with anti-freeze"

Now, my first thought was "what... and indeed... the fk" as antifreeze isn't renound for it's non corrosive properties. What is the PH thoughts?

I know the guy who has written it and would like to send him an informative email about the issues (if any, I may be completely wrong) with putting anti-freeze in your washer bottle.

Cheers
Mike

[Melman Giraffe]

Just a thought mike, but wouldn't Anti freeze stop the solution in said water bottle from freezing.

Like I said just a thought

[marshalla]

Do it, and then sure the company for the cost of a respray ? (Compensation culture)

[rsv gone!]

Melman Giraffe said:

Just a thought mike, but wouldn't Anti freeze stop the solution in said water bottle from freezing.

Like I said just a thought

Maybe they should have advised screenwash in sufficient concentration due to its anti-freeze properties?

[Mikeyplum]

Melman Giraffe said:

Just a thought mike, but wouldn't Anti freeze stop the solution in said water bottle from freezing.

Like I said just a thought

Indeed, and a good thought

But, my worry is spraying a corrosive, greasy fluid all over my windscreen, of which, some may end up on my paint work, which will then be corroded by the previosuly mentioned fluid

Again, I could be wrong, but could be right

[Cyder]

We usually refer to it as anti-freeze at work. I work in wash system design (amongst other things) for an OEM.

[kambites]

Antifreeze just means something that you dissolve in water to stop it from freezing. The stuff you put in your engine is a special case of this but there are others, including the stuff you put in your washer bottle.

[Captain Muppet]

I googled for "anti-freeze warning" and got this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-o...

So don't drink it.

Also it should be banned* from any convertibles which may also carry cats just in case.





* simulated health and safety panic over-reaction used for emphasis only.

[Viperz888]

Antifreeze is actually designed to slow down corrosion, (as it's floating around the interior of your metal engine)
My main concern would be damage to the paint, and if it's the old glycol stuff, its horrifically toxic to animals.

[dave stew]

Anti freeze you put in the cooling system is corrosive to paintwork! It depends on their definition of anti freeze, I suppose. A good shot glass of vodka would lower the freezing point of the washer water, too!

[Mikeyplum]

kambites said:

Antifreeze just means something that you dissolve in water to stop it from freezing. The stuff you put in your engine is a special case of this but there are others, including the stuff you put in your washer bottle.

Good point. Granted the message doesn't mention "Engine" anti-freeze. But to joe Public, when you mention anti-freeze, what's the first thing they think of? I'm no expert, but am a motor enthusiast, and it's the first thing I thought of.

In an office of around 400 people, I wonder how many people will now pop to Halfrauds, ask for some "anti-freeze", purchase bottle of toxic orange/green liquid and proceed to pour it into their washer bottle.

A bit like this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=10&...

[motco]

Screenwash additive, not called anti-freeze, is usually based on wetting agents and isopropyl alcohol. Coolant anti-freeze additive is ethylene glycol based and should definitely NOT be put in your screenwash water because it is harmful to paintwork.

[trashbat]

All the alcohol-based screenwashes I've experienced are rubbish when it gets sufficiently cold. It doesn't freeze in the tank or lines but once it gets to the spray jet and thus the open air, the alcohol evaporates and it freezes all the same.

Heated lines would transfer some heat and maybe help, but I don't have them.

Any suggestions?

[Captain Muppet]

trashbat said:

All the alcohol-based screenwashes I've experience are rubbish when it gets sufficiently cold. It doesn't freeze in the tank or lines but once it gets to the spray jet and thus the open air, the alcohol evaporates and it freezes all the same.

Any suggestions?

Use whatever it is that the Finnish use.

I've used normal stuff for down to -18 without any problems.

[Mikeyplum]

Captain Muppet said:

trashbat said:

All the alcohol-based screenwashes I've experience are rubbish when it gets sufficiently cold. It doesn't freeze in the tank or lines but once it gets to the spray jet and thus the open air, the alcohol evaporates and it freezes all the same.

Any suggestions?

Use whatever it is that the Finnish use.

I've used normal stuff for down to -18 without any problems.

I find a freshly boiled kettle all over the windscreen, washer bottle and jets do the trick

[Lee540]

Screen wash has anti-freeze properties.

Dont fill your washer bottle with engine coolant that you put in your radiator.

[snotrag]

trashbat said:

Heated lines would transfer some heat and maybe help, but I don't have them.

Any suggestions?

DIY Heated washer fluid system.

Seriously, its easy.

I've done it on all my cars up to now. Buy some spare tubing (dirt cheap, and decent motor factor) and lengthen the section after the pump. Use this free length to create a heat exchanger by wrapping it tightly in a coil around one of your heater or radiator hoses, before it carries on to the jets. Can seal it all in with amalgmating tape, or maybe foil tape would work well.

Result - Washer jets and washer fluid warmed up/defrosted pretty much as soon as your coolant warms up (I.E. within a minute or two).

If you do a really good job and get a good surface area for heat transfer, wrapped tightly on a hose that gets nice and hot, you get a really nice hot steamy jet of windscreen wash which works ace.

I've only been stumped this winter on my most recent car as the washer tank is at the opposite end of the car to the engine (mid engined). Works great on most cars though with the tank poked down somewhere near the rad or the bulkhead where the heater pipes pass through.

Dad showed me this on my first car, its a brill tip.

[SuperchargedVR6]

trashbat said:

All the alcohol-based screenwashes I've experienced are rubbish when it gets sufficiently cold. It doesn't freeze in the tank or lines but once it gets to the spray jet and thus the open air, the alcohol evaporates and it freezes all the same.

Heated lines would transfer some heat and maybe help, but I don't have them.

Any suggestions?

I've heard of people wrapping the screen washer hose around a radiator hose several times on older cars. Not tried it myself, but it sounds like a novel idea!

I've had heated washer jets on previous cars (VAGs and BMWs) and they always fail. VAG's screenwash concentrate, or Decasol stuff, is very good. Hasn't yet frozen on me.

EDIT: too slow

[Prof Prolapse]

Captain Muppet said:

I googled for "anti-freeze warning" and got this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-o...

I can't actually believe they thought it was necessary to include a picture of a cat lest the general public get confused.