what to fill washer bottle with????

[dac69er]

i dont use my car in the winter or when wet etc. i have just emptied the washer bottle of the stagnant scummy water that has been in it the last couple of years.

what is best to fill the reservoir back up with to ensure the pump isnt affected but so i dont have to keep emptying it all the time? would leaving it all dry be ok?
would deionised water be any better than normal tap water?

it needs to work for the MOT, but i never actually use it.

 

[Paul_JJ]

The best to keep it for a long time? Put deionised water + some Anti-Freeze - won't have any problems at all! I wouldn't just leave plain water as when it gets to minus temperature it might damage the pump or the actual reservoir.

 

[dac69er]

The best to keep it for a long time? Put deionised water + some Anti-Freeze - won't have any problems at all! I wouldn't just leave plain water as when it gets to minus temperature it might damage the pump or the actual reservoir.

the car wont see any minus temperatures. its in a nice warm garage. only used it 3 times this year in the summer

the antifreeze will just gunk up at the bottom of the bottle. i always use just plain water in my cars i use in the winter as it stops the gunk problems and rarely gets cold enough to actually freeze.

 

[Paul_JJ]

Right, I see. Well just deionised water then -) Eurocarparts - sell 5L - very cheap!

 

[dac69er]

Right, I see. Well just deionised water then -) Eurocarparts - sell 5L - very cheap!

i would never buy it. i can get as much as i want from our reverse osmosis plant at work

didnt know if anyone had heard of anything that you can put in there specifically for the purpose i want it for!?

 

[Jay]

100% screen wash no?

Would stop bacteria and freezing issues at least.

 

[Paul_JJ]

Well, I don't see the point in a screen wash as he doesn't really need it and it won't freeze in a warm garage either... Like he said the anti-freeze which is in the screen wash will just settle at the bottom of the reservoir over time.

 

[Jay]

i have just emptied the washer bottle of the stagnant scummy water

Just based on this I'd guess the water you removed is old, smelly and contaminated.

Screenwash is anti-bacterial and prevents such things as legionaires disease so I'd imagine it would be up to the task of keeping the washer system germ-free.

 

[Paul_JJ]

Jay, sounds like a good idea indeed, bacteria will cause a bad smell overtime...

 

[dac69er]

I guess if I buy some decent screenwash it shouldn't conjeal at the bottom and block the pump, that was my main worry as I have had it bugger a pump before.

Will give that a go. Thanks

 

[Jay]

I've seen quite a few washer pumps fail over the years so it could be a weak spot more than anything. It's not as if the cars in question weren't being used. Would do no harm to use a fresher pump from a V if you get the chance to give it a longer lifespan. The wiring differs slightly between the ABS/non-ABS models due to where they are mounted but you can swap the plug over with the pump if you were stuck.

 

[dac69er]

I've seen quite a few washer pumps fail over the years so it could be a weak spot more than anything. It's not as if the cars in question weren't being used. Would do no harm to use a fresher pump from a V if you get the chance to give it a longer lifespan. The wiring differs slightly between the ABS/non-ABS models due to where they are mounted but you can swap the plug over with the pump if you were stuck.

I got some screenwash to put in it from halfords. I will leave the pump. if it fails I will change it. Just don't want to bugger it up if I can get away with it!

 

[goldenvtr]

put some white vinegar in there and scented antifreeze, works great for a smear free wipe... but it does smell like dinner

 

[dac69er]

I don't care how it works as I never use the wipers. it's just checked on the mot and that's it. Just didn't want to catch legionaires desease from the stagnant water or Fuck up the pump.