Damn screen wash

[nu11eaf]

As Clan says Hard water may be the cause rather than the brand of washer fluid, The heated Aqua-blades will consentrate the salts in the water, I have only read of this being a problem with the heated Aqua-blades.
I live in a soft water area but just a few miles away in Hartlepool it is a hard water supply and it causes all sorts of bad scaling problems in heated appliances, kettles, washing machines, dishwashers etc, all get "REALLY BAD" build up.
(On the plus side Hartlepool has the best dental health record as the water also has natural fluoride)

[Sideways Tim]

Interesting post - my rear washer hasn't worked for months, I was going to get it looked at when I took the car in for a service, but haven't got round to that yet either. Can anyone tell me how to access the non return valve for the rear washer?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

As Clan says Hard water may be the cause rather than the brand of washer fluid, The heated Aqua-blades will consentrate the salts in the water, I have only read of this being a problem with the heated Aqua-blades.
I live in a soft water area but just a few miles away in Hartlepool it is a hard water supply and it causes all sorts of bad scaling problems in heated appliances, kettles, washing machines, dishwashers etc, all get "REALLY BAD" build up.
(On the plus side Hartlepool has the best dental health record as the water also has natural fluoride)

It is not necessarily the brand but the TYPE ... The volvo stuff i virtually methylated spirit , it burns with an almost invisible blue flame and evaporates away to nothing . there are no dissolved salts as in the usual mass market stuff .

Here is what volvo say :

This concentrated washer fluid should be diluted for the
appropriate freezing point as given in the instructions on the
package.
The washer fluid effectively dissolves road salt, traffic film, and
other pollutants on the windshield and headlights.
The product is specially developed so that it does not leave
any irritating film on the windshield.
Does not damage car paint, wiper rubber, stripes, or aluminium
trim.
Technical data
Color: Bluish
Density: 0.9 g/cm³
Base: Ethanol/Tenside
Antifreeze concentration 50/50: -28 °C (104°F)
Flash point +14 °C (57 °F)

[nu11eaf]

You may be right but I think it is more likely to be the water that is used to dilute the washer fluid or the water it is diluted with if buying cheap ready mixed supermarket fluid, as you say in your earlier post using distilled water may be better, especially with heated aqua-blades.

Some, in fact I suspect most owners who are having this problem will have only used Volvo fluid topped up by dealers at service time, is it delivered ready diluted or concentrated, if so are some technicians diluting it with tap water ?.

I use Distilled water to make up engine coolant/antifreeze in my vehicles (and caravan heating system) to keep engine and cooling systems clean and free from rust and sludge and although I do not have Aqua-blades (Thank God) I will start to use distilled water in my washer fluid as well, its only about £2 a gallon and only usually have to top up once between services.
For those of you with Aqua-blades it will be worth the small cost to see if it improves or eliminates the choked washer problem.

[Begonia]

I don't use Volvo's product but I do always look on the screen wash bottle label to see if it says "Smear Free".

[Lexman8]

I have heated washers (not the Aquablade variety) and have never had a problem with them. However, I do live in a soft water area.

Note that there is a difference between cars fitted with Aquablades and cars that have heated nozzles on the wiper arms using standard blades.

It seems that Aquablades are a solution looking for a problem (see what I did there?).

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

I have heated washers (not the Aquablade variety) and have never had a problem with them. However, I do live in a soft water area.

Note that there is a difference between cars fitted with Aquablades and cars that have heated nozzles on the wiper arms using standard blades.

It seems that Aquablades are a solution looking for a problem (see what I did there?).

The solution looking for a problem has a problem with the dilution in the solution....😀

Or perhaps this is caused by pollution?

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Clan

It is not necessarily the brand but the TYPE ... The volvo stuff i virtually methylated spirit , it burns with an almost invisible blue flame and evaporates away to nothing . there are no dissolved salts as in the usual mass market stuff .

Here is what volvo say :

This concentrated washer fluid should be diluted for the
appropriate freezing point as given in the instructions on the
package.
The washer fluid effectively dissolves road salt, traffic film, and
other pollutants on the windshield and headlights.
The product is specially developed so that it does not leave
any irritating film on the windshield.
Does not damage car paint, wiper rubber, stripes, or aluminium
trim.
Technical data
Color: Bluish
Density: 0.9 g/cm³
Base: Ethanol/Tenside
Antifreeze concentration 50/50: -28 °C (104°F)
Flash point +14 °C (57 °F)

I love the fact that, in the technical spec the colour is described as "bluish". What next? "Flash point - round and about 14c"......?

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

It seems that Aquablades are a solution looking for a problem (see what I did there?).

I wouldn't go as far as calling the aquablades a problem. If you scroll back you will see that the OP has an issue with the rear wiper (a non-aquablade..) - the problem is the cr@p people put in the windshield washer reservoir- not a poor wiper design.

I find the aquablades the most efficient wipers I've ever had on any car, bar none. And to my surprise (as said earlier..) they are more durable than what I expected - I'm at nearly 2 years of ownership/42K kms - and they are still working as well as new

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

I love the fact that, in the technical spec the colour is described as "bluish". What next? "Flash point - round and about 14c"......?

Regarding the flash point, a very important figure , The fluid burns like petrol , with an almost invisible very hot blue flame , if a spark ignites it you would be in trouble as it is hard to see and to extinguish .
It's fine when diluted of course .