Rotten eggs smell when washers used

STUBIE · 2nd March 2012, 19:39

Strong rotten eggs smell when using the windscreen washers on my V6.

I notice I have wires following the water pipes to the outlets on the bonnet which I assume are for heated washers.

Last weekend I emptied the reservoir by continually using the washers and then refilled but still the same. Any ideas or is a bumper of job.

Stubs

FLYER · 2nd March 2012, 19:45

Bacteria thrives in the washer bottle and i have always found that using winterwash all year round stops it's growth , good idea would be to empty the bottle and fill it up with said stuff , the high alcohol content stops the bacteria growing .

Just my opinion of course .

COLVERT · 2nd March 2012, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYER

Bacteria thrives in the washer bottle and i have always found that using winterwash all year round stops it's growth , good idea would be to empty the bottle and fill it up with said stuff , the high alcohol content stops the bacteria growing .

Just my opinion of course .

Perfect opinion.

chrislloydie · 2nd March 2012, 19:58

Sounds like the reservoir needs cleaning out. Mine used to stink until I cleaned it out with bleach.

bramblp · 2nd March 2012, 20:02

Stop putting eggs in the bottle

Johnny the Fox · 2nd March 2012, 20:08

It is whats known as a bio film which is growing in the bottle causing the smell, pop in a couple of Milton tablets and leave for a while, then flush through.

T-Cut · 2nd March 2012, 21:42

The bugs feed on the detergent in the screenwash. This is basically an anionic sulphate/ether sulphate, so contains sulphur. The bacteria are primarily anaerobic, so in munching away at the detergent, they generate hydrogen sulphide. This dissolves in the water and when you spray it on the screen, it pongs of rotten eggs. Screenwash formulas often contain isopropanol, which acts as a cosolvent and antifreeze. Bugs don't thrive in alcohols, so the winter formulas are usually pong-free.
A couple of days treatment of the tank with a spoonful of Domestos will kill 99.9% of bacteria. Or is it 99.99%?

TC

SapperGB · 3rd March 2012, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by bramblp

Stop putting eggs in the bottle

They're supposed to go in the radiator

T-Cut · 3rd March 2012, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by SapperGB

They're supposed to go in the radiator

I wrap mine in tin foil and stand them on the exhaust manifold. Two miles for eggs with soldiers and five miles when slicing for the salad sandwiches.

T-Cut · 3rd March 2012, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SapperGB

They're supposed to go in the radiator

I wrap mine in tin foil and stand them on the exhaust manifold. Two miles for eggs with soldiers and five miles when slicing for the salad sandwiches.

Oh yes and for scrambled, use the turbo.

2nd March 2012, 19:39	#1
STUBIE This is my second home Back in a Rover Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 4,926 Thanks: 131 Thanked 357 Times in 261 Posts	Rotten eggs smell when washers used Strong rotten eggs smell when using the windscreen washers on my V6. I notice I have wires following the water pipes to the outlets on the bonnet which I assume are for heated washers. Last weekend I emptied the reservoir by continually using the washers and then refilled but still the same. Any ideas or is a bumper of job. Stubs

2nd March 2012, 19:58	#4
chrislloydie Posted a thing or two MG ZT 135 CDTI+ Auto Royal Blue with Synergy 2. 75 Tourer cdti club Se Auto, Royal Blue, synergy 2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bancroft, Milton Keynes Posts: 1,906 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sounds like the reservoir needs cleaning out. Mine used to stink until I cleaned it out with bleach. __________________ Chris

2nd March 2012, 20:08	#6
Johnny the Fox Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Connoisseur CDT Saloon and MGF SE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Royal Tunbridge Wells Posts: 1,184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	It is whats known as a bio film which is growing in the bottle causing the smell, pop in a couple of Milton tablets and leave for a while, then flush through. __________________ http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...PhilLynott.jpg Can't beat a 75 or ZT for style, grace and pace

2nd March 2012, 19:45	#2
FLYER Banned rover75 cdti AUTO TOURER 160 bhp. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Glasgow Posts: 35,346 Thanks: 2,985 Thanked 3,685 Times in 2,463 Posts	Bacteria thrives in the washer bottle and i have always found that using winterwash all year round stops it's growth , good idea would be to empty the bottle and fill it up with said stuff , the high alcohol content stops the bacteria growing . Just my opinion of course .

2nd March 2012, 20:02	#5
bramblp Loves to post Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 470 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Stop putting eggs in the bottle

2nd March 2012, 21:42	#7
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,754 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	The bugs feed on the detergent in the screenwash. This is basically an anionic sulphate/ether sulphate, so contains sulphur. The bacteria are primarily anaerobic, so in munching away at the detergent, they generate hydrogen sulphide. This dissolves in the water and when you spray it on the screen, it pongs of rotten eggs. Screenwash formulas often contain isopropanol, which acts as a cosolvent and antifreeze. Bugs don't thrive in alcohols, so the winter formulas are usually pong-free. A couple of days treatment of the tank with a spoonful of Domestos will kill 99.9% of bacteria. Or is it 99.99%? TC