Windscreen washer fluid

Pyscho_Si · 12 May 2010 at 21:43

I was told that it causes an algae to form near the filter which after a while blocks it. Seems to be a bit of a design fault on BMWs.

This thread talks about the same thing:

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=48872

Pyscho_Si · 12 May 2010 at 21:44

M0T said:
Haha, shafted.

Actually that is how I felt when I got the bill... but I didn't have a lot of choice as taking the car to bits to remove the tank myself wasn't really on the agenda.

M0T · 12 May 2010 at 21:46

Pyscho_Si said:
I was told that it causes an algae to form near the filter which after a while blocks it. Seems to be a bit of a design fault on BMWs.

This thread talks about the same thing:

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=48872

That seems totally absurd!

Is there not an additive you can just put in the tank to stop it forming? A small amount of bleach or similar?

The_Abyss · 12 May 2010 at 21:47

Pyscho_Si said:
I was told that it causes an algae to form near the filter which after a while blocks it. Seems to be a bit of a design fault on BMWs.

This thread talks about the same thing:

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=48872

Was it near Christmas? You just paid for the first round at the office party.

Ollie83 · 12 May 2010 at 21:48

I have a BMW and from what I have heard from other owners this is true. BMW will try absolutley anything to charge you the earth for their work. Even claiming that you have to use special BMW magical washer fluids for their heated window washer jets.

Pyscho_Si · 12 May 2010 at 21:51

M0T said:
That seems totally absurd!

Is there not an additive you can just put in the tank to stop it forming? A small amount of bleach or similar?

I have no idea... but I can imagine taking it for a service and the technician enquiring about the smell of chlorine in the washer fluid tank and the effect of that on the warranty.

Strange that when I bought the merc, the first thing I asked when I picked it up was if I needed to use special washer fluid ... answer was ... don't be silly.

Draeger · 12 May 2010 at 21:53

An Alka Seltzer in the reservoir generally cleans out the entire system.

Pyscho_Si · 12 May 2010 at 21:53

The_Abyss said:
Was it near Christmas? You just paid for the first round at the office party.

No functioning washing jet and a 300 mile drive .... it had to be fixed and BMW refused to move on charging me. Afraid owning a BMW isn't the cheapest thing in the world.

Jokester · 12 May 2010 at 21:54

I would have thought the anti-freeze in the screen wash would have been enough to keep algae from growing.

[TW]Fox · 12 May 2010 at 21:55

Jokester said:
I would have thought the anti-freeze in the screen wash would have been enough to keep algae from growing.

You dont put antifreeze in screen wash :eek:

Jokester · 12 May 2010 at 21:57

[TW]Fox;16545128 said:
You dont put antifreeze in screen wash

It's already in there, otherwise it would freeze all the time in the winter.

Begbie · 12 May 2010 at 21:58

Just fill it up.

Can you tell the OP is a women? No offence meant

iaind · 12 May 2010 at 21:58

Is this thread for real?

Do they make special mugs with min and max marks for people like the OP, so they know when to stop pouring their coffee?

Dogbreath · 12 May 2010 at 22:00

[TW]Fox;16545128 said:
You dont put antifreeze in screen wash

I think he is referring to the alcohol that's present in screen wash to lower the freezing point! It's certainly not "anti-freeze" in the coolant sense however.

Lethal` · 12 May 2010 at 22:02

iaind said:
Do they make special mugs with min and max marks for people like the OP, so they know when to stop pouring their coffee?

MrMoonX · 12 May 2010 at 22:13

can no one think for themselves anymore and have to make a pointless thread because they are in actual fact a moron!

[TW]Fox · 12 May 2010 at 22:17

BMW screen wash is pretty cheap though.

Pyscho_Si · 12 May 2010 at 22:22

[TW]Fox;16545328 said:
BMW screen wash is pretty cheap though.

Yep, I bought 5 litres on undiluted fluid for about 10 quid. It is also very good stuff.

Janesy B · 12 May 2010 at 22:26

MrMoonX said:
can no one think for themselves anymore and have to make a pointless thread because they are in actual fact a moron!

You can't be calling anyone a moron with a post like that :/

MisChief · 12 May 2010 at 22:30

Pyscho_Si said:
Do you have heated jets? If so, I expect you will also have a heated tank. How old is the car?

No idea if it has heated jets or not... the car is under 3yrs old.

and about this min/max thing, my old car had this so i just assumed that theres some sort of a reason for the indicator being there? as said before, i don't really know much about things underneath the bonnet