I don't suppose anyone else has encountered this problem....

Every time I wash the windscreen on my '04 vRS I get a really terrible smell!

The bottle has been emptied and refilled with fresh water, it doesn't smell (I've sniffed the filler neck to check) and I don't get the smell until I wash the windscreen, then within a minute it's gone again.

I thought that it may be the pollen filter? Any other idea's?

Cheers

Col

What does it smell like?

What screenwash to you use?

ive had this today too and i just emptied the bottle out before replacing the screenwash with vag screenwash

probably smells of rancid pond water , we get them at work , all the smeg at the bottom of the bottle blocks the filter

the bottle will need a good flush out and then fresh water and preferably VAG screenwash added

yeh i get that too, smells like damp trousers/rotten apples!

It's caused by algae in your wash system.

Couple of drops of bleach and fill it up, mixed, in a watering can first of course. Leave it overnight, then flush it through. It will kill the algae and bacteria, then fill up again with VAG Screen wash and water. Job done!

I get a lovely chemical scent when I wash my windows.

At the moment I get a lovely eggy smell. In the beginning, swmbo thought I'd dropped one...

What are the benefits of using VAG screen-wash against some of the "Leading Brands":confused:

Oh Wait! i get it, It won't invalidate my warranty:eek:

Personally I've always been partial to the Holt's stuff they sell at Costco.

Mixed in the right concentration you can actually choke the occupants of the vehicle following you:D

And remove tar spots simultaneously:thumbup:

No benefit in using VAG screenwash. All stuff is the same, only diluted alcohol and water in it. I used to work on an Isopropanol plant and we used to sell our crappy quality isopropanol as screen wash.

No benefit in using VAG screenwash...

Apart from the fact if you have any warranty issues relating to the washers and then it's technically not covered because the fluid isn't approved spec.

Yes they really have been that pedantic and probably will be again.

This screenwash question is one of those that goes round every few months. The general consensus every time is the VAG stuff is quite good and isn't that expensive so most people actually do make the effort to use it .

There you go, this one should be sorted for another few months.

I had this problem on a peugeot 406 once, turned out one of my mates had filled the washer bottle with milk for a laugh!

Always keep a very strong mixture in mine as it's a cab. (hint- If a cabbie washes his windscreen a lot when your in the car, you need a bath!)

Cheers Guy's, I'll give it a good clean out at the weekend.

Couple of drops of bleach and fill it up, mixed, in a watering can first of course. Leave it overnight, then flush it through. It will kill the algae and bacteria, then fill up again with VAG Screen wash and water. Job done!

Thanks for that....will give it a go & see if it fixes the problem

i have the same problem mate tryed emptying and refilling but carrrys on doing the same thing STINKING

I don't suppose anyone else has encountered this problem....

Every time I wash the windscreen on my '04 vRS I get a really terrible smell!

The bottle has been emptied and refilled with fresh water, it doesn't smell (I've sniffed the filler neck to check) and I don't get the smell until I wash the windscreen, then within a minute it's gone again.

I thought that it may be the pollen filter? Any other idea's?

Cheers

Col

Hi, I also have this problem on my 01 LX. Recently I was on the way to ASDA to do the weekly shopping with my son in the front passenger seat, when I decided to clean the wind screen. After pulling on the stalk, the screen was cleaned but my 8 year old son said, 'dad, whats that horrible smell?' Then he said, 'it smells like pussy cats'. I knew exactly what he meant as it smelt like an un-neutered tom cat had sprayed the windscreen. Agreed it would need to be a contortionist to get its rear end above the washer bottle, but this is the best that I can do in describing the smell.

I had used ASDA's own brand of screen wash, which it didn't seem to like. I have now been forced to flush the whole thing out and start again. The filter in the top of the bottle had all black gunge in it, and I wonder if this had polluted it, or turned it sour in some way.

Seems OK at the moment however, and I really don't need a repeat, of the stink.

Soviet. :confused:

mine seems to have gone again, it did rain last night, wondered if that had anything to do with it?

Apart from the fact if you have any warranty issues relating to the washers and then it's technically not covered because the fluid isn't approved spec.

Yes they really have been that pedantic and probably will be again.

.

I wouldn't be suprised if they did try to play about with the warranty by saying that you didn't use VAG screenwash, but there is no way that they could tell what you used, as I mentioned before that screenwash is all the same stuff. They may vary in concentration but its upto you how much water you put in. VAG only buy it from a petrochemical company like all the other makes and badge it up as their own.

i have the same problem mate tryed emptying and refilling but carrrys on doing the same thing STINKING

My Post:

Couple of drops of bleach and fill it up, mixed, in a watering can first of course. Leave it overnight, then flush it through. It will kill the algae and bacteria, then fill up again with VAG Screen wash and water. Job done!

I had this at the weekend, it smelt of rotten eggs everytime i tried to clear the screen of dead flies.

I used up all the screenwash, filled it up with water and thankfully the smells gone.

Is it not dangerous for the paintwork to have bleach sprayed onto it? How hard is it to get to the filter in the bottom of the washer bottle?

You can access the bottle and pump by undoing the screws that secure the drivers front wheelarch liner and wedging it open with something suitable.

Hi guys

The problem is using to much screen wash it goes like a big snott ball in the bottom of the bottle & stinks after a while. I get it all the while in the workshop.

Take the bottle out aand give it a good clean with fairy and hot water, and dont use to much screen wash.

I have been using some premixed stuff with good results.

Chris K

Is there away of fixing it without removing the bottle/wheel arch liner?