General: Screen wash

[Ovlovppz]

We have two cars, a Golf and a Volvo.
They both use the same screen wash, identically diluted.
The Golfs smells like screen wash.
The Volvo's smells like sewage.
It's revolting 😫

How do I drain and purge the system?
Which screen wash do people favour?

[Rids666]

I'm so glad it's not just me! I bought 2 bottles of the concerntrated screen wash from volvo. Filled up the washer bottle and then went on my way to work. First time I came to clean the windows I sprayed them and what the hell is that smell!!!! Smelt just like sewerage! What the hell is that all about?!

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ovlovppz

We have two cars, a Golf and a Volvo.
They both use the same screen wash, identically diluted.
The Golfs smells like screen wash.
The Volvo's smells like sewage.
It's revolting 😫

How do I drain and purge the system?
Which screen wash do people favour?

you are not using volvo screen wash , it has agents to prevent the bacteria in warm weather which is what you can smell , stagnant water . fill it with plain water , then empty through the front and rear jets , but do it is several stages to let the motors cool in between not all in one go or you might burn the pump motors out , when empty , add 2 x 1 litre bottles of volvo screen wash from the dealer , problem solved.

[Ovlovppz]

The Golf is as fresh as the day it went in and that's not Volvo screen wash 🙄
I will drain it and run some Milton through it to sterilise the pipe work 👍

[green van man]

These days I only use volvo screenwash in both my vehicles. I negotiate a discount for 5x1litre bottles from dealer and buy 5l at a time.

Get a spirit smell like meths but defiantly not sewage.

Paul.

[ITSv40]

I use Prestone screenwash, spirit based similar to Volvo - get it from Costco.
It is so good I now use it diluted in a spray bottle to clean the house windows. It is the only window cleaner I have found that does not leave any smears at all on the south facing French doors. Everything else I have used over the years always leaves smears when the sun shines.

[760Simon]

Had the same problem with my S80. I found there’s a plastic mesh filter at the bottom of the filler tube that dangles in the washer reservoir, when I took it out it was green and smelt rancid.

I washed it out in hot soap and water and did the same with the reservoir now the smell has gone

[Clan]

Originally Posted by green van man

These days I only use volvo screenwash in both my vehicles. I negotiate a discount for 5x1litre bottles from dealer and buy 5l at a time.

Get a spirit smell like meths but defiantly not sewage.

Paul.

It is very much like meths and burns like meths with an almost invisible blue flame which is hard to extinguish rather dangerous if the neat stuff catches fire . Sewage smell is stagnant water and bacteria . maybe the microbes don't like VW or the bottle is in a cooler place etc ..

[oragex]

I have used several brands and no such issue yet.. I'd put a garden hose in the reservoir to the bottom and let it run for some time. then fill with dish wash detergent and water and let it sit for 1-2 days then rinse again. as mentioned for some reasons you got some mildew in there. and maybe switch to a better screenwash brand?

[AndyJudge]

Would a couple of Milton tablets (Or Sterilising fluid) do the trick on killing off the mildew ?

I use it for my camelback water reservoir (for cycling) & it does the trick.