MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: DanoGTI on December 12, 2009, 11:56:23 am

Title: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: DanoGTI on December 12, 2009, 11:56:23 am
I can understand that VW washer fluid should be used if running Winter Pack (formulated for being heated up etc), but surely this wouldn't apply for a non-Winter Pack car?

Regular washer fluid should be fine, shouldn't it?

Did the exact same in my S4 and Subarus.......

no issue, is there?

Dan  :driver:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: edd666999 on December 12, 2009, 02:22:59 pm
vw say non vw fluid blocks the jets. i changed mine to non vw stuff and had to buy 2 new jets...so i believe them. :grin:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: Moschops on December 12, 2009, 02:54:34 pm
I've always used the VW stuff  :santa:  Saves any buggering about in the long run.... :happy2:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: Hedge on December 12, 2009, 03:15:35 pm
There have been stories of VAG not fixing blocked washers if you use anything other than their fluid.
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: DanoGTI on December 12, 2009, 03:43:39 pm
Fair enough - will have to use water until Monday then!!  :happy2:

More than happy to use the VW stuff, but couldn't see the reason why (and still can't) - but the proof is in that the jets gets blocked.

Anybody know why?

Dan
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: TomB on December 12, 2009, 04:06:50 pm
I personally use the Renault Nissan stuff as we have loads of it at work, and its not clogged up any jets yet.  They also use heated fan jets so that could be why.

All manufacturers have the same policy, so any OE type fluid will be OK.  The cheaper aftermarket stuff has a lot less alcohol in it (if you're mad enough, smell them and you'll tell the difference) which won't help.
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: stevie_p on December 12, 2009, 06:46:01 pm
i got winter pack, been using tesco stuff for nearly a year never had any problems :happy2:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: Garth on December 12, 2009, 07:19:04 pm
I've got the winter pack and use shell stuff at the moment without problems. There's no difference between any of the fluids other than smell as far as I'm concerned. I always just use whatever I can get.
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: edd666999 on December 14, 2009, 09:56:41 am
vw say theirs contains "anti-coagulant" their words not mine!
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: JPC on December 14, 2009, 10:16:08 am
i always use the VW stuff because it smells great! lol

i do dilute it a more than what VW say on the bottle, just so im not stripping any wax on the paint. i use it sparingly too! ;)
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: Golfgirl on December 14, 2009, 11:50:18 am
vw say theirs contains "anti-coagulant" their words not mine!

Just stick an aspirin in non-VW screenwash and you'll be ok then :grin:

Seriously though, if the washer jets ever did get blocked, how on earth are VW going to prove that you've not used their screenwash?!
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: DanGB on December 14, 2009, 02:58:23 pm
never used VW stuff in 4 years...
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: 182_blue on December 14, 2009, 03:12:49 pm
TBH i use the vw stuff because i rate it, im also sure that most other stuff is fine too :happy2:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: NB07 on December 14, 2009, 03:25:55 pm
i just get mine topped up every time i have a 10,000 service! i dont use it much!  :chicken:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: Golfgirl on December 14, 2009, 04:17:28 pm
i just get mine topped up every time i have a 10,000 service! i dont use it much!  :chicken:


I use mine to squirt people that tailgate me so I'm also running out. Add to that the fact that I do loads of motorway miles and the screen always needs cleaning! :booty:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: em2evol on December 14, 2009, 05:01:06 pm
VW stuff costs about the same as other stuff but smells loads nicer I think so it's a no brainer for me!   :xmassmiley:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: rskardon on December 14, 2009, 05:16:25 pm
I've used Halfords apple stuff for about 2 years now and mine havent blocked at all,

R
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on December 14, 2009, 06:16:46 pm
Sometimes all of this does make me wonder... if manufacturers scaremonger people into buying their "official" stuff  :scared:
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: TomB on December 14, 2009, 06:26:44 pm
It does happen, I've seen clogged up hoses at work quite a few times.

You find a hard blob of blue (its always blue!) stuck up the tube, this happens when the screenwash goes back to gunk at the bottom of the tank.  Most of the time the problem can be fixed with some boiling water and a minute with the pump on, but it can set like plastic in there if you don't use them often.

A few years back on SCN, one of the users with a Yellow Ibiza filled up with Halfords screenwash, used it and found the green colouring had dyed his paint.  No polish could remove it either, I'm sure they had to pay up for a respray in the end!
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: DanoGTI on December 14, 2009, 06:35:45 pm
Well the irony is that I've filled the tank with regular (non-vw) water  :wink:

And I've noticed that my jets are blocking up  :fighting: Not fookin happy.

Suggestions as to how to clear them? :sad:

Looks like I'm gonna need em over the next few days with the snow too.

Fook

Dan
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: TomB on December 14, 2009, 06:58:06 pm
Hot water is your friend, take the jets out and put them in a bowl of hot water and blow out the gunk, and fill your washer bottle with hot water and start the pump.  
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: DanoGTI on December 14, 2009, 07:00:26 pm
Ahhh, that could be good news. How do you remove the jets?

Dan
Title: Re: VW washer fluid - only applicable if running Winter Pack?
Post by: DanoGTI on December 14, 2009, 08:15:46 pm
scratch that - sorted in the dark!!  :happy2:

Think it pretty much sorted though hard to tell in the p1ssing rain, and it was dark!!  :grin:

DAn