Smelly Washer Bottle water !

[chrisbut69]

52 Passat TDI

I know this one sounds like a strange one, but I am baffled !

Recently my girlfriend complained that when she used her front washer jets she got an awful smell, I did suspect she might have put something in the water by mistake, but upon further inspection by myself the water seemed fine, although the smell was still there, it is a really pungent almost rotten egg smell.

I have used the jets to virtually empty the washer bottle but after refilling the smell is still present !

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks

Chris

[mluton]

A few runs till empty might cure the problem with undiluted washer fluid.

[MalcQV]

I had a similar problem in a previous car. The water smelled of cat ****, it really was bad. I flushed soapy fresh water through the system and replaced with new water/washer fluid. After a time the smell re-appeared.

I reckon we either had a very technical Tom cat in the area or the washer fluid was perhaps causing the problem.

I sold the car before I ever found out what was causing it.

[chrisvrscrx]

If I were you I'd drain the water either by squirting it on the windscreen or actually draining the bottle, then add screen wash without diluting it. When I squirt my windscreen I can normally just smell screen wash.

[PerArdua]

Had the same issue a couple of years ago. Had to take the pump off the water bottle and clean all the seals and then clean the bottom of the water tank with a bottle brush as the smelly bit was like a jelly at the bottom of the tank and around the pump housing.

PA

[MalcQV]

Had the same issue a couple of years ago. Had to take the pump off the water bottle and clean all the seals and then clean the bottom of the water tank with a bottle brush as the smelly bit was like a jelly at the bottom of the tank and around the pump housing.

PA

Reckon you are on to something with the jelly stuff. I never removed the water bottle. The smell only occurred when I used (many) different screen washes. I reckon something was reacting with the screen wash.

[PerArdua]

MalcQV
I previously used lots of different screen washes but now just use the H*fords Premium (Pink) one which has prevented this re occurring

PA

[currington]

I have exactly the same problem. I've rinsed it through buy running it right down to empty a few time, even put a mild solution of bleach through (I collected the water in cups, I didn't spray bleached water over the car).

During it's last service (Tuesday this week) I asked for the washer bottle to be removed and flushed through, they took the pump off and flushed it that way. It's better but still not right.

I'll probably remove the bottle myself and have a good look in there as I'm convinced it's something rotting in the bottom.

[claranet]

52 Passat TDI

I know this one sounds like a strange one, but I am baffled !

Recently my girlfriend complained that when she used her front washer jets she got an awful smell, I did suspect she might have put something in the water by mistake, but upon further inspection by myself the water seemed fine, although the smell was still there, it is a really pungent almost rotten egg smell.

I have used the jets to virtually empty the washer bottle but after refilling the smell is still present !

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks

Chris

The smell put in to the official VW additive is supposed to be Lemons ! However in my experiance has a limited shelf life when in the washer bottle and can give an offensive pong a bit like rotton eggs. I leave mine - the additive that is, not rotton eggs !! in, until the warning 'bong' message comes up to tell you to top it up. I strongly advise not yo use the blue stuff that Halfords etc sell, as it is not suitable for the VW Fan type Jets and can clog them. although to be fair to Halfords, it is fine for normal nozzle types.
Another reason could be nothing more than wet leaves etc, going rotton especially at this time of year !

[BenR]

The lemon perfume will quickly break down, especially when attacked by bacteria and their by-products. The rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulphide, a by-product of bacterial growth.

.....like I said earlier.