Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (sameero)

Warm up the car a little longer than usual. The engine heat and convection of the hood will probably help things along.

-Don't- push it trying to force the pump! If the ice is in the sprayer lines or spray heads, you'll abuse the diaphragm in the washer pump. Just scrape the ice off best you can and make use of the defrosters with patience.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (Scotaku)

I usually throw in a bottle of rubbing alcohol. But when it's really, really cold there's not much you can do except follow Scotaku's advice. The alcohol will help prevent the problen in the future.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (ezrabaker)

okay the I drove to work for 25 mins /10 miles and the suff is still frozen

Should I give AUTOZONE a piece of my mind on my way? Thats where I bought the stuff.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (sameero)

Well was it summer fluid or winter stuff (-40)?

I'm guessing you don't have access to a garage? If not go malling and leave your car in an indoor garage for a few hours. Then get a hand pump and get it out, refill with the winter formula.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (Honda_to_VW)

Gotta let the engine bay get nice and warm sitting still. Driving in cold weather is just going to allow chilly air to flow through there. That's why the radiator and intercoolers work!

If it's frozen solid, you might be able to remove the tank and lines from the car and take them indoors to thaw. After which I'd empty them and be sure to put in winter-grade washer fluid. Alcohol will help clean things too and prevent future freezes.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (Scotaku)

No garage

NO mall close by with a closed garage. I guess I have to wait till things get a little warmer.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (sameero)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Okay its 19F in the morning today in Detroit and my winshield washer fluid is frozen. I put the $3.99 Prestone green fluid which should be liquid at 19 F but its frozen

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You’re not talking about putting the green Prestone engine coolant into your washer container, aren’t you?

Seriously, I usually just stop using the washer if the washer fluid is frozen. Even if you can spray the washer fluid on the windshield but with 19 F it will freeze immediately and could block your view.

Now I’m really glad I moved down to Texas from Iowa. But it’s still very cold here though. It was 33 F this morning!

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (yrwei52)

Arent the washer jets heated?

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (quailallstar)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Arent the washer jets heated?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yeah, but the washer container is not heated!

If you have been in North during the winter, you will find all kind of strange and temperature related problems that people in South can never imagine. It’s nice to live in South for sure.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (yrwei52)

Yup

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (quailallstar)

I have a 99GLS, no cold weather package. I am going to try and syphon it out as soon as it gets liquid. It was suppose to be the winter stuff. And no I did not put coolant in it. Actualy if it was coolant it would not freeze

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (sameero)

Find a woman and borrow her hot air hair dryer. They work great. My old B3 was constatly having the door handles freeze up in the winter. Very annoying because the door would not close!!! The hair dryer worked great! Now I always keep one in my garage just in case.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (Tom Parish)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Find a woman and borrow her hot air hair dryer.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just about to recommend the same solution.

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (sameero)

I'd refrain from the use of alcohol in the mix. Whatever goes into the washer bottle will inevitably get sprayed onto your paint. Nothing better than removing wax and creating a haze in your clear coat than alcohol. Isn't the VW washer fluid available for cold temp.? These cars came from Germany didn't they? You should stop by your dealer and just have them take a look at it.

Chris...

 

Re: Windshield washer fluid frozen how to unfreeze? (sameero)

Sounds like you have water in the system somewhere. Or else that Prestone washer fluid is pure crap. If it were -19F then I could understand it, but 19F isn't even cold. It's just bad swimming weather.