Hi folks

Has anyone ever had issue with strong fumes from screenwash making their way into the cabin?  Whenever I use the washer jets, the smell from the screenwash is extremely strong.  I talked to my brother about the problem and he brushed it aside, saying all modern cars he had driven had the same - you could smell the screenwash inside the car - but I gave him a lift somewhere the other day and he ended up gagging and winding down the window when I cleaned the screen. Clearly it's a bit more of a problem than he thought.

I haven't started investigative work yet, but wanted to see if anyone has experienced a similar problem with the Fabia before.  Anyone?

To be clear here, we're not talking 'it smells a bit' here, but waves of overwhelming chemical fumes, as strong as if you had your head hovering over an open bottle of the stuff.

What brand of screenwash are you using and at what concentration?

Bear in mind that the air inside the cabin comes from the scuttle under the windscreen, this is why the smell is so strong, if it makes you gag, change the brand you use or put the cabin air supply into recirculation before washing the screen.

Try diluting it a bit more

I can smell mine but it's not overpowering or anything.. I use about 500mls of the VAG stuff then fill it with water, tank holds about 7 liters iirc?

There is a joint in the washer tubing which can come apart causing washer fluid to leak into the car. It's behind the passenger side rear wheel arch trim. I think you can see it if you pull the boot side carpet away on that side. Might be worth checking just to make sure.

Does the fabia not engage recirculate when you use the screen washers?

 

Or just in reverse?

maybe the intake plenum drains are blocked  which not only stops draining but  maybe acting as a "sponge" and is slowly releasing it back into the vent system as fumes  

Just a characteristic really. Either use different, weaker screenwash, or put recirculation mode on first

Try diluting it a bit more

I can smell mine but it's not overpowering or anything.. I use about 500mls of the VAG stuff then fill it with water, tank holds about 7 liters iirc?

7 litres!?!?  HAHAHAHAHHAAA more like 2.  Was my biggest pet peeve about the Fabia.. Apaprently those with headlight washers held more.

tank holds about 7 liters iirc?

 

SEVEN litres, I should be so lucky, my bladder holds more than the standard tank, my biggest complaint about the design of the car by far.

Am I the only one who likes the smell of the screen wash?!?

Am I the only one who likes the smell of the screen wash?!?

 

I like the smell of MY screen wash, I don't like the smell of YOURS.

Am I the only one who likes the smell of the screen wash?!?

I'm with you on this one as well! Halfords berry scented one is my current favourite!

I tend to wash my screen not because my windscreens dirty, but purely to act like an air freshener!

Just the blue stuff, smells awesome, scented is a bit girly :p

Am I the only one who likes the smell of the screen wash?!?

I've got Halfords scented berry scree wash and it's quite nice.

Lemon Flavour  Screeny wash for me, Vanilla Air Freshner too...........

I've got Halfords scented berry scree wash and it's quite nice.

Nooooooooo!

I've got Halfords scented berry scree wash and it's quite nice.

 

With you having a Clio shoudn't you have Garlic flavored screen wash

Am I the only one who likes the smell of the screen wash?!?

+1

I like washing the screen to get a quick whiff fix

JRJG

+1

I like washing the screen to get a quick whiff fix

JRJG

Ha yeah I do that

Sounds like I know nothing then haha my bad! Washer bottle does hold a lot mind, i need to find out how wrong I am now :')

Wish it was 7 liters.. I'd use it neat, the VAG stuff smells awesome

SEVEN litres, I should be so lucky, my bladder holds more than the standard tank, my biggest complaint about the design of the car by far.

My old Fabia had a leak in one of the washer pipes, which meant that the tank never got above about half full, just all leaked out when you topped it up. I could use up ALL of the screen wash in one journey on some winter days and have to stop to top it up. Right pain in the arse, and I never could find the leak.

VAG stuff smells awesome

 

A word from the wise, not all vag stuff smells awesome 

A word from the wise, not all vag stuff smells awesome 

Haha the stuff I buy does.. oh my!!

Standard 2 litres, Xenon equiped 5 litres.

 

I'd be looking for a missing grommet or misplaced seal and leaking or badly fitting washer pipes up near the scuttle.