MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: DanoGTI on January 18, 2010, 05:31:30 pm

Title: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: DanoGTI on January 18, 2010, 05:31:30 pm
Well, I'm not usually one to buy the "bubble for the spirit level", but I humored my curiosity with this rumor about the VW screenwash etc... About the fact that it doesn't clog up your jets etc.

Well B0LL0CKS. It's nothing more than an old wives' tale.

I've put in this VW stuff, and within a week, the jets are totally clogged.

Needless to say, I'm just unclogging them in hot water right now.

I will then go back to regular screen wash.

DAn

Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: VC on January 18, 2010, 05:45:19 pm
i swear by AG all seasons, never let me down  :happy2:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: RedRobin on January 18, 2010, 06:32:49 pm
^^^^
What's "AG", VC, please?
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: VC on January 18, 2010, 06:35:49 pm
Yup  :drinking:

they do various ones for various conditions, the all seasons you dilute yourself, can be got from tescos now for £2.99 too  :smiley:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: neg on January 18, 2010, 06:55:26 pm
AutoGlym?
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: ollie288 on January 18, 2010, 07:29:43 pm
AutoGlym?

Yep my original post disappeared. :confused:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: stevie_p on January 18, 2010, 08:46:09 pm
used tesco stuff for bout a year never had any problems :happy2:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: stealthwolf on January 18, 2010, 08:57:18 pm
have you been using VW screenwash the entire time? Did you flush the old non-VW screenwash first?

If the car is in warranty and the jets clog up, the dealers will only sort t out FOC if you've been using VW screenwash. Doesn't mean it won't clog up, just warranty issue.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: DanoGTI on January 18, 2010, 09:09:03 pm
TBH, first time I've had to fill up with screenwash since I bought it from VW in May 09!!

In December 09, I just put water in (in other words, a flush).

Then during this cr@ppy freezing weather, I put in a full bottle of this "miracle" liquid :confused: and in a week, clogged up.

Just soaked them in hot water for an hour tonight, blew out all the sh1t, and re-installed. Sorted.
Now I've got a wash bottle 75% water & 25% VW screenwash. As this runs down, I'll be down to Halfords.

I accept the whole warranty issue thing, but I'm not going to go through the grief of booking the car in JUST to have the washer jets unclogged!

IMHO, it's just a bad design - probably one of the very few corners cut on the mk5....

Dan :smiley:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: vRStu on January 18, 2010, 09:14:01 pm
The warranty issues don't always occur in the guise of clogging but more often with pipes blowing off.

I use the VW stuff without issue.  1 litre bottle is diluted with 4 litres of water.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: QD MBE on January 18, 2010, 09:58:51 pm
Used either VW OEM or Sonax without any issue.

Sonax link below.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sonax-Clearview-1-100-Concentrated-Screenwash_W0QQitemZ260525893600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ca88da7e0#ht_2361wt_824 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sonax-Clearview-1-100-Concentrated-Screenwash_W0QQitemZ260525893600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ca88da7e0#ht_2361wt_824)
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: keith on January 18, 2010, 10:01:02 pm
I have used the VW stuff since i bought the car with no issues, lately been using the Halfords stuff in my Ford van and they now dont work can hear the pump but nothing coming thru discon from the sprayer on the bonnet and nothing coming up?
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: Golfgirl on January 18, 2010, 10:21:05 pm

If the car is in warranty and the jets clog up, the dealers will only sort t out FOC if you've been using VW screenwash. Doesn't mean it won't clog up, just warranty issue.

How do they prove it? :confused:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: VC on January 18, 2010, 10:30:04 pm

If the car is in warranty and the jets clog up, the dealers will only sort t out FOC if you've been using VW screenwash. Doesn't mean it won't clog up, just warranty issue.

How do they prove it? :confused:

could only be colour and smell? and even then that would be debatable

unless its flavoured....hmmmm  :grin:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: stealthwolf on January 18, 2010, 11:18:47 pm
They can do some kind of test sampling the washer fluid. Not sure how though.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: TomB on January 19, 2010, 12:06:13 am

If the car is in warranty and the jets clog up, the dealers will only sort t out FOC if you've been using VW screenwash. Doesn't mean it won't clog up, just warranty issue.

How do they prove it? :confused:

I don't think most dealers are that bothered, but it could be easily spotted with litmus paper.  The cheap types use different alcohols.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: Gene Hunt on January 19, 2010, 12:07:15 pm
I can't be arsed to go 6 miles to the dealers for screen wash !!!!!!.I just use car plan or what ever else is on at the supermarket & have never had any problems.Bung a steri tab in every now & again keeps it nice & clean.  :happy2:
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: pazz on January 19, 2010, 10:57:46 pm
Anyone know of a place (website, or ebay trader possibly?) to get the VW stuff cheap?

It seems to depend on different dealers as to how generous they are with giving it away for free. I still remember my 2nd service they left a bottle on the passenger seat. And last time I went into a local stealer they did me 5 bottles for the price of 4. But sometimes you get the power-trip-happy parts guy.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: Garth on February 01, 2010, 10:54:27 am
Do people REALLY have a problem with blocked jets? I would say it was more likely hard water causing the issue than screen wash. I've never had blocked jets on any of my 14 cars and I use any old crap screenwash that I can get. I usually get screenwash from Shell when I fill up the fuel, but failing that, I'll use any rubbish that I (or others) have lying around.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: cossy on February 01, 2010, 12:42:58 pm
Put paint thinners in mine, never had any problems, no mixing just neat does the trick :laugh: :rolleye:

Used the VW stuff over winter and its not frozen or blocked up yet.

Mind you new jets are less than a £5, so not too worried what I use to be honest.
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: DanoGTI on February 01, 2010, 05:39:46 pm
Fwiw my area isn't hard water and never had any issues with blocked jets on any car.
It's just this vw. Even the Audi had no issues. Down to poor jet design IMHO
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: Garth on February 04, 2010, 06:02:47 pm
Anyone know of a place (website, or ebay trader possibly?) to get the VW stuff cheap?

It seems to depend on different dealers as to how generous they are with giving it away for free. I still remember my 2nd service they left a bottle on the passenger seat. And last time I went into a local stealer they did me 5 bottles for the price of 4. But sometimes you get the power-trip-happy parts guy.
I buy loads of OEM parts from one of the VW main dealers that uses ebay. Username is JCBVolkswagen. Send him an email and he comes back pretty quick with a quote. Always top notch service too, which is rare for a main dealer these days!
Title: Re: VW screenwash? Pah what a load of old cobblers.
Post by: SteveTDCi on February 04, 2010, 06:32:19 pm
i've always used it, its not that expensive at £4 and smells erm lemony, and its never frozen up.