Anybody know?

Neither the front nor the rear washers on my car were working when I bought it (second hand).

I found that the pump was pushed out of the bottom of the reservoir, just in front of the offside front wheel arch; refitting it sorted out the front windscreen washers.

Then I found that the washer fluid pipe had disconnected at the junction behind the trim on the near side of the boot compartment; reconnecting that sorted out the rear window washers.

As neither set of nozzles was at all blocked, the only thing I can think of that would have caused those two problems is that the pipes froze and caused back pressure.

So, apparently you need to use a good quality antifreeze in your washer fluid, but is there anything else special about the Skoda own brand stuff? Or is it ( a ) a fiction designed to take business away from Halfords, or ( b ) an excuse to pass the blame back to the customer when the poor design of the pipework causes a failure, or ( c ) both of the above?

Edited 1 February, 201016 yr by scandalxk

So, apparently you need to use a good quality antifreeze in your washer fluid, but is there anything else special about the Skoda own brand stuff? Or is it (a) a fiction designed to take business away from Halfords, or ( an excuse to pass the blame back to the customer when the poor design of the pipework causes a failure, or © both of the above?

My car salesman was quite clear when I asked about this. I asked "do I really have to buy the approved stuff". He said "no, any good washer fluid will do". YMMV.

Answer C is correct.

VAG's washer fluid does not block the fan jets fitted to VAG cars, some other brands of fluid will also be OK for fan jets but some wont.

If it doesn't say on the bottle that it is suitable for fan jet's then personally i wouldn't use it as it's not worth the hassle of potentially blocking them up.

VAG's washer fluid does not block the fan jets fitted to VAG cars, some other brands of fluid will also be OK for fan jets but some wont.

If it doesn't say on the bottle that it is suitable for fan jet's then personally i wouldn't use it as it's not worth the hassle of potentially blocking them up.

Seconded! This advice is in the manual somewhere I think. If you use non-VAG stuff then you may be ok, but you might not. Why take the risk though?!

Never had a problem running Car Plan washer fluid through fan washers

OK, that's interesting. When you say "fan jets" do you mean the sprays on the front windscreen that produce a pathetic hiss of water that cannot be aimed properly? The water either hits the bottom of the wipers and bounces off, or disappears over the roof. They are completely useless compared with a conventional jet. Could this be to do with them being partially blocked? (They have been useless ever since I got the car.) If so, can they be removed for cleaning?

OK, that's interesting. When you say "fan jets" do you mean the sprays on the front windscreen that produce a pathetic hiss of water that cannot be aimed properly? The water either hits the bottom of the wipers and bounces off, or disappears over the roof. They are completely useless compared with a conventional jet. Could this be to do with them being partially blocked? (They have been useless ever since I got the car.) If so, can they be removed for cleaning?

Possibly, but personally i have never had an issue with their aim or them blocking up (out of 3 VAG cars - but i use suitable fluid!)

Anybody know?

Neither the front nor the rear washers on my car were working when I bought it (second hand).

I found that the pump was pushed out of the bottom of the reservoir, just in front of the offside front wheel arch; refitting it sorted out the front windscreen washers.

Then I found that the washer fluid pipe had disconnected at the junction behind the trim on the near side of the boot compartment; reconnecting that sorted out the rear window washers.

As neither set of nozzles was at all blocked, the only thing I can think of that would have caused those two problems is that the pipes froze and caused back pressure.

So, apparently you need to use a good quality antifreeze in your washer fluid, but is there anything else special about the Skoda own brand stuff? Or is it ( a ) a fiction designed to take business away from Halfords, or ( b ) an excuse to pass the blame back to the customer when the poor design of the pipework causes a failure, or ( c ) both of the above?

Maybe none of the above as stated.

IMHO, jet problems come from the use of hard water to dilute WW concentrate. Some water evaporates at the jet and leacves a little crud behind. Use soft water from a bottle of tap if your water is soft or from the condenser on condensing clothes dryers or dehumidifiers/airconditioners.

Clean the jets with a little citric acid or acetic acid - a few drops will do and an old toothbrush helps.

The Skoda/VAG stuff isnt all that expensive - £3.20ish for a litre. I bought some for mine after being advised about the whole "if it falls over and you havent used it...." warranty bit and couldn't be arsed with the possible hassle over the sake of a couple of quid.

Car Plan = £4 for 5 litres

Car Plan = £4 for 5 litres

Lidl whiskey £6 per 70cl

Talisker wiskey £27 per 70cl.

Its all a matter of taste

Lidl whiskey £6 per 70cl

Talisker wiskey £27 per 70cl.

Its all a matter of taste

Is Lidl whisky any good? Can you run an Octy on it?

Is Lidl whisky any good? Can you run an Octy on it?

From personal experience, it's about all its good for!

Had no probs using 'Halfords' own (concentrate) brand, tho I always use filtered water. :yes:

Car Plan washer concentrate is often on offer at £2.99 for 5 litres BOGOF at Makro - so about 30p a litre. I have loads in the garage, been using it for years and never had a blockage. I live in a hard water area. Paying £2-3 for 1 litre is just insane.

I sometimes also add Aldi/Lidl car windscreen detergent. Its made in Germany and outstanding stuff, cleans all road grease from the screen and leaves it crystal clear.

Car Plan washer concentrate is often on offer at £2.99 for 5 litres BOGOF at Makro - so about 30p a litre. I have loads in the garage, been using it for years and never had a blockage. I live in a hard water area. Paying £2-3 for 1 litre is just insane.

I sometimes also add Aldi/Lidl car windscreen detergent. Its made in Germany and outstanding stuff, cleans all road grease from the screen and leaves it crystal clear.

But that's what the washer fluid should be doing anyway :S

Is the Car Plan stuff concentrated or ready to put straight in?

It's available in both

I've got 2 x 2,5ltr Tesco Pink Super Concentrated in my bottle at the moment (Neat), just in case we get another super cold snap.

I've got 2 x 2,5ltr Tesco Pink Super Concentrated in my bottle at the moment (Neat), just in case we get another super cold snap.

Can't be that 'super concentrated' if you consider it necessary run it neat (the VAG stuff is good down to -70˚c neat)

One problem that is worth remembering is some fluids should not be mixed together because they then produce a nasty sludge in the bottle.

Can't be that 'super concentrated' if you consider it necessary run it neat (the VAG stuff is good down to -70˚c neat)

One problem that is worth remembering is some fluids should not be mixed together because they then produce a nasty sludge in the bottle.

I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it, besides I only filled it with the neat stuff because it was completely empty.

Isn't the VAG stuff also low foam? Something to do with the pump getting air in it?

VAG stuff really does stink.

Dunno, if I use the washers running locally there is often spots of foam on the front wings!

Out of curiousity, does anyone know if Audi charge the same for washer fluid as VW.Skoda? Ocurred to me that the Audi shop is nearest!!

Use bog standard Halfords, about 5:1 with tap water in mid winter, 20:1 with tap water rest of the time - 3 Octys over about 7 or 8 years and never a problem.

Dunno, if I use the washers running locally there is often spots of foam on the front wings!

Out of curiousity, does anyone know if Audi charge the same for washer fluid as VW.Skoda? Ocurred to me that the Audi shop is nearest!!

It's the same bottle (has logo's for Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW on the front) and is the same price at all dealers, or at least it should be. In December, before the VAT increase, all my local dealers (Audi, Skoda and VW) were charging £3.29/bottle.