I've had this in my last skoda mk1 as well not sure why it's only me I put the same fluid in my wife's car and it doesn't smell at all. Smells very eggy everyone I use the washers only time it goes if I've been using just plain water for a few months.

First stage is to use up what's in there until the tank is empty. Then try a different brand or don't put so much in the tank (5L tank on my Octy!!) if it's in there long enough to to go stagnant.

I use ready mixed berry stuff from halfords. No issues and comes up cheaper with a trade card.

First stage is to use up what's in there until the tank is empty. Then try a different brand or don't put so much in the tank (5L tank on my Octy!!) if it's in there long enough to to go stagnant.

I use ready mixed berry stuff from halfords. No issues and comes up cheaper with a trade card.

 

Same here, and it's lush.  Even though it's ready to go, I still dilute it with water 50/50 just to make it go further, and it also hits the window very soapy if I don't.

 

As said, if plain water is used, it will eventually go stagnant, and as well smelly awful, it's actually dangerous for passengers.

Edited 26 February, 201610 yr by planehazza

My old car had this problem, no matter what I used, the tank had algae growing in it. In the end I filled it up with water with a big slug of bleach mixed in. Then disconnected the hose at the jets and ran it through the system by holding the wiper stalk in, into a bucket. Leave the bleach in the washer tank for 30 mins. It didn't smell at all after that.

I had the same problem with my old Nissan, Used to really stink like rotten eggs when using ''cheap'' screen wash, I used a very small amount of sterilizing fluid, the stuff used in cleaning babies bottles with, And it stopped the smell, After that i used Shell screen wash and now in this car i use Halfords  screen wash (Cherry smelling one) and no problems at all..

Edited 26 February, 201610 yr by Doofy

+1 for bleach or something like a baby's bottle sterilising solution like Milton or whatever. Along with the plain bleach, I'm pretty sure they are all chlorine based so be careful where the water from the tank is going and make sure you rinse the tank and system throughly with clean water, THEN add a decent washer fluid to the tank. 

 

I've always used the VAG/Quantum fluid for fan jet washers and it's never been an issue. 

 

Plain, stagnant water in the warmer months of the year can allow the growth of Legionella bacteria (amongst others). In use, the washer water is being sprayed into the air, rendering it an aerosol. This makes it an ideal way to inhale the water droplets which is how people get Legionnaires' disease . Screen wash fluid is there to do more than make it smell nice!

I had this in an old Rover I had. I had a freshly used whisky barrel that had rainwater in it that was great for cleaning the windows or rinsin gthe car with for whatever reason. Anyway I thought I woul dbe clever one day and fill my washers with that water.... that was it, essence de rotten oeufs every time I squirted the screen. I ended up dumping all the water and poured a big bottle of milton in there, it smelled like hospitals after that. Then I used decent concentrate from then on. Lesson learned.

During the summer months I run water through my system and it's fine it's just when I put screen wash in for cold weather I'll try all your suggestions ty.

During the summer months I run water through my system and it's fine it's just when I put screen wash in for cold weather I'll try all your suggestions ty.

 

Please don't just use water at any time of year, the washer bottle is a great place for Legionnaires bacteria to live and the washer jets as a perfect way of making it airborne allowing it to spread.

 

Correct use of washer fluid will prevent it as well as helping to cut through any road grime on your screen

During the summer months I run water through my system and it's fine it's just when I put screen wash in for cold weather I'll try all your suggestions ty.

Is isn't fine if there is an eggy smell in your current cars and previous as per your OP.

Just use screen wash. It is put in cars for good reason - not just a marketing gimmick.

If you use something like Miltons, which will clean the system, you need to disconnect the pipe at the washer jets otherwise that is where anything that is dislodged whilst cleaning will collect and block the washers.