Screen-wash

[matthewb]

Sorry chaps/esses - this is not the most exciting subject but I think the question of screen-wash affects all of us living in hard water areas - i.e. most of us.

I currently use the Porsche screen-wash which I understand is considered pretty good but, of course, it's diluted with tap water which in my area is like liquid rock. I don't need to use the low washer-fluid indicator - I just keep an eye out for the tell-tale white-powder trail emanating from the jets - assuming they're not clogged-up.

-- You can buy distilled water in quantity - expensive.
-- You can buy ready-mixed screen-wash but what kind of water is used to dilute the concentrate?

Has anyone had any thoughts on this subject?


Sorry to be boring.

M

 

[Stewart Rix]

I guess you could use a domestic water filter (Brita type thing) to fill the reservoir. I've seen comments on various forums that suggest the Porsche screen wash concentrate turns to jelly if mixed with other screen-washes. I've been careful to run the reservoir dry before changing in the past, so haven't actual had that happen to me. The other thing with the Porsche concentrate is that it doesn't contain an anti-freeze component, so I add commercial alcohol to it during the winter.

 

[matthewb]

Thanks Stewart.

The Brita filter idea is worth a try.

I've heard the gel story too. I don't mix with other brands but, as you say, there's no antifreeze. Sorry to sound ignorant but where could I get 'commercial alcohol' in domestic quantities? Ethanol, I assume. Boots the Chemist?

Best
M

 

[Mears]

Normal de-icers usually use propanol not ethanol but FYI any screenwash concentrate will have some effect in depressing the freezing point (physical chemistry) so using enough Porsche fluid (ie 30-50%) ought perhaps to be enough. I use water condensate from our domestic dehumidifier in screenwash tanks after an episode with BMW pop-out headlamp washers constantly (and expensively) failing due to hard water deposits.

 

[JB 3.2]

Although its not pure ethanol, I use isopropyl alcohol which is readily available (even on e-bay).

I'm not sure if the water filters remove calcium and other mineral salts as they are effectively in solution. I use water from my dehumidifier or the freezer when we defrost it.

Demineralised water is available from supermarkets (for use in irons) which for diluting screen-wash is almost as good.

 

[harry]

ORIGINAL: Mears

Normal de-icers usually use propanol not ethanol but FYI any screenwash concentrate will have some effect in depressing the freezing point (physical chemistry) so using enough Porsche fluid (ie 30-50%) ought perhaps to be enough. I use water condensate from our domestic dehumidifier in screenwash tanks after an episode with BMW pop-out headlamp washers constantly (and expensively) failing due to hard water deposits.

I do exactly the same with my condensed water from the dehumidifier.

 

[Stewart Rix]

ORIGINAL: matthewb

where could I get 'commercial alcohol' in domestic quantities? Ethanol, I assume. Boots the Chemist?

Use IsoPropyl alcohol. I bought a litre from APC Pure (www.apcpure.com), its reasonably cheap and so I use perhaps 300ml per washer bottle fill up during the winter months. Porsche Centre Reading confirmed that their wash fluid does not contain anti-freeze, but strangely, didn't offer a suggestion as to what to add, if anything. I went the IPA route after a trawl through various Porsche forums.

 

[matthewb]

Thanks all.

Some very useful ideas - much appreciated. Perhaps it's not such a boring subject, after all.

I do save freezer ice but there's just not regularly enough for my needs.

De-ionised/de-mineralised water looks a good bet - much cheaper than distilled water. I guess any lime-scale residue in the washer-bottle will gradually dissolve.

I'll add IPA to the Porsche screen-wash in winter.


M

 

[sue11sam]

ORIGINAL: harry

ORIGINAL: Mears

Normal de-icers usually use propanol not ethanol but FYI any screenwash concentrate will have some effect in depressing the freezing point (physical chemistry) so using enough Porsche fluid (ie 30-50%) ought perhaps to be enough. I use water condensate from our domestic dehumidifier in screenwash tanks after an episode with BMW pop-out headlamp washers constantly (and expensively) failing due to hard water deposits.

I do exactly the same with my condensed water from the dehumidifier.

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