Terrible smell - Need a fix
Terrible smell - Need a fix
Author
Discussion

MY54WRX

Original Poster:

13 posts

160 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
The liquid in the windscreen washer reservoir absolutely stinks, not sure why probably weird mix of concoctions over the years. Doesn't seem to be corrosive or causing any problems for the paint on the car.
What is a safe and quick way to flush the system or any additive that can be added to stop the smell.

Thanks for any helpful replies.

thatdude

2,660 posts

156 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
If you can get something to suck out the remaining fluid, then just blast through a whole load of distilled water before blasting through some fresh washer fluid.


Swanny87

1,265 posts

148 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
Surely just fill the reservoir with clean water and use washer 'til it runs out.

Rinse and repeat* until the system is cleaned?

  • Pun fully intended

Swanny87

1,265 posts

148 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
Or I guess you could remove the reservoir from the engine bay (not sure how complicated that would be for you) then clean it out?

S0 What

3,358 posts

201 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
Drain and refill with bleach and hot water (DO NOT run this through the pump !!!) leave to stand for 20 mins drian and flush a few times, then refill with DECENT screen wash not the cheap st that fails to kill bacteria (the cause of the stink) be aware many differant bacteria can grow in a washer bottle (inc Legionnaires' disease) so be carfull when draining, dont ingest any of it (easyly done when laying under a car pulling off pipes and stuff).
I would try and not run the stinky fluid through the washer nozzles as it iinvaribly blocks them with the slimey growth that's making the stink.

I get a lot of cars in for pre MOT checks with the slime in the bottle (usually women who fail to do any sort of maintainance on there own cars) and non washing washers.

Riley Blue

23,205 posts

255 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
Invest in one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/oil-suction-pump?_trksid...

It'll make the job much easier.

TheEnd

15,370 posts

217 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
I know some people would put a cap full of bleach into it, or look for a screenwash that has anti-microbial stuff in it.

WreckedGecko

1,191 posts

230 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
Swanny87 said:
Surely just fill the reservoir with clean water and use washer 'til it runs out.

Rinse and repeat* until the system is cleaned?

  • Pun fully intended
i had same problem, this is what i did, just kept putting good quality stuff in untill it was gone.