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[waspy]

Today it was so cold on my journey that my screen wash froze & so i got to thinking of a way to stop this.
Criusetopoland had the same problem.
My idea is to have a 12v immersion heater in the washer bottle & a switch somewhere in the cabin. Another one is to take a feed from the engine coolant & pass it through the bottle. I'm thinking this idea is not too good due to the heat of the coolant & not being able to turn it off so easily.
Is my idea likely to run into problems like the wash going off sooner due to it getting warm & going stale.

Your thoughts please

I know the answer will be to have 100% wash, but that takes the fun outa it & Cruise's 100% froze up in Germany

[Markjay]

Well you if must build a contraption.. 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7403387.htm

But a 1L bottle of the right stuff is only £3 and protects you down to -15°C. Just how cold does it get in Derbyshire? 

[tunnie]

instead of doing all that, put decent screenwash in

[Markjay]

...and, the coolant warming is not a good idea because the screenwash will remain frozen until the engines warms up...

[Markjay]

instead of doing all that, put decent screenwash in

Here, here..... 

[Broomies Mate]

There are a fair few problems.  You could only heat the water to a couple of degree's above zero else you run the risk of damaging the screen.

It's unlikely in the UK that the Washer Bottle will freeze solid.  It's usually only the liquid in the pipes which freezes.  Afterall, this time of year, we should all have quite a strong solution of Screen Wash.

My only suggestion is to use metal pipe work with a plastic liner and pass a current through it to warm the water as it passes through.

Not sure on how much current would be required though.... probably possible from the Alternator, but too many variables to make an educated guess.

[waspy]

Mmmmm. Idea shelved. I was just passing my thoughts on

[Mr Skrunts]

There are a fair few problems.  You could only heat the water to a couple of degree's above zero else you run the risk of damaging the screen.

It's unlikely in the UK that the Washer Bottle will freeze solid.  It's usually only the liquid in the pipes which freezes.  Afterall, this time of year, we should all have quite a strong solution of Screen Wash.

My only suggestion is to use metal pipe work with a plastic liner and pass a current through it to warm the water as it passes through.

Not sure on how much current would be required though.... probably possible from the Alternator, but too many variables to make an educated guess.

Had a few of mine freeze solid over the years, down side they are at the front of the car where there is no engine heat whist on the move.

Pity a jacket cant ne fitted like the battery has.   Whatabout a bottle else where for winter use for the screen, might take a bit of sorting for re piping.

12v imersion element might work but would be better on a timed circuit like the HRW, but fit a relay in to save overload.

[Andy B]

....... Another one is to take a feed from the engine coolant & pass it through the bottle.   .....

You could use something like this ....... Clicky  :-/ :-/

[Mr Skrunts]

....... Another one is to take a feed from the engine coolant & pass it through the bottle.   .....

You could use something like this ....... Clicky  :-/ :-/

Still no good if the bottle is frozen through.  Just heats the water as iit is pumped.

[Broomies Mate]

I really dont understand how the bottle can freeze solid with a decent mixture of Screen Wash.

55% concentration of a decent Screen Wash will generally protect down to ~ -12.  VERY rare for temperatures to drop that low.  And, when speaking about a 6ltr mass of solution, it would have to be a VERY prolonged duration of that temperature.

The problem lies with frozen liquid in the pipes to the jets (A very small quantity of liquid per sq metre), not the bottle itself.

[waspy]

instead of doing all that, put decent screenwash in

Sez the guy with the Mig that had a cold

[feeutfo]

I really dont understand how the bottle can freeze solid with a decent mixture of Screen Wash.

55% concentration of a decent Screen Wash will generally protect down to ~ -12.  VERY rare for temperatures to drop that low.  And, when speaking about a 6ltr mass of solution, it would have to be a VERY prolonged duration of that temperature.

The problem lies with frozen liquid in the pipes to the jets (A very small quantity of liquid per sq metre), not the bottle itself.

totally agree. put a kettle on the bootle if you like, cant see that stopping the nozels freezeing up.

Thought mine was supposed to have heated washer jets, didnt stop them freezing up. Motor spinning away but still no wash. I've invreased the concentration but its not been clold enough since to test.

[waspy]

....... Another one is to take a feed from the engine coolant & pass it through the bottle.   .....

You could use something like this ....... Clicky  :-/ :-/

Mmmmm thanks Andy. Just down the road from me too

[tunnie]

instead of doing all that, put decent screenwash in

Sez the guy with the Mig that had a cold

True.... but even that day, it did not freeze.... it had a strong mixture. I admit of cr@appy Halfrauds stuff that was quite a few years old. It did freeze the following day.

Using GM screenwash in a strong mixture, should have no issues at-all. Just use neat is the answer, and i think for the cost its £5?? for 5L iic? Anywho just using neat for for a few days a year we get this weather on average should be fine