Metho in washer.
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 21:43
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Ron
I have heard that putting methylated spirits in the windscreen washer bottle the water won't freeze. I have experimented with this by putting a 25% metho and 75% water mix in the freezer. It has not frozen solid, but it has frozen to a soft icey state. Too icey for the washers to work. Does anyone know what the right mix ratio is or wether it actually works.
Thanks,
Ron.
Reply By: Ted (Cairns) - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 22:06
Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 22:06
In a past life I used to wholesale liquor in Europe. In winter all vodka left in broken bottles went straight in the windscreen washer bottle. Doesn't freeze, dissolves bugs etc, AND smells nice. Minor risk: manufacturer told me it has some salt content in the recipe. Wouldn't be too worried rust-wise though;-)
Your freezer is -18 or less. That's way colder than you'll get here. Once your engine bay is reasonably warm and your windscreen too (demister etc) it should be ok. At least at slow speeds. Otherwise it just clogs the jets, but nothing breaks - as it doesn't freeze solid.
Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
120693
Reply By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 22:08
Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 22:08
Can't recall the mix but it is an old trick and does work - but so do most modern windscreen washer additives and they will probably work out easier and cheaper.
Mike Harding
AnswerID:
120694
Follow Up By: dgdelectronics - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 22:12
Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 22:12
If you do this you will actually ruin your wiper blades eventually if they are rubber.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 12:26
Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 12:26
I believe modern wiper blades are made from synthetic material and at the concentrations of alcohol they would be subject to I doubt it would be an issue - the blades would probably need replacing from normal wear and tear by that time anyway. Don't the proprietary washer additives contain ethanol anyway?
Mike Harding
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Reply By: S&N - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 00:31
Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 00:31
at the end of the day, if its that cold, you dont want to spray water anyway. it will form an ice layer on the screen that makes it blurry to look through! If you park, lift the wipers off the screen so they dont freeze to the screen and tear as soon as you turn them on. get a paint scraper from bunnings (handle with razorblade mount at the end) and scrape the ice off your screen. then just use the wipers to remove the fresh snow.
also if its that cold that its freezing with a 25% metho mix, what is it doing to your other fluids???? there is a radiator fluid you can buy(we used it in the army in our unimogs) that you put in the radiator, straight, no water. ring your locay army base, ask for the transport yard, and ask them what the fluid is. they wont mind you asking, they are fairly eager to help!
hope this helps!
AnswerID:
120719
Follow Up By: Norbrat - Wednesday, Jul 20, 2005 at 13:26
Wednesday, Jul 20, 2005 at 13:26
Be careful using a radiator fluid for this. Most contain glycol which is a good paint stripper. Spray this over your windscreen and you will damage your paintwork.
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Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 07:48
Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 07:48
Ron dont put that mixture in the ice cube tray.
the kids will get a real kick out of it in there lemonade.
All the best
Eric
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 12:02
Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 12:02
Wow, can't imagine living somewhere where it is so cold the windscreen washer water freezes!!!
Lived in Germany for a year and don't even remember having this problem there (although car was kept in a garage overnight).
Not much help, but I'd move to a warmer climate!
AnswerID:
120761
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 23:05
Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 23:05
you would be surprised i have had it happen over here in sunny WA
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Reply By: Ron - Monday, Jul 18, 2005 at 12:57
Monday, Jul 18, 2005 at 12:57
Thanks for all your responses. The end result is that it does work as it did not freeze to a solid block in the freezer. This is what is meant to happen so it won't cause any damage by expansion.
Cheers,
Ron.
AnswerID:
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