V70: General Washer bottle full of black flakey scale

[Tony Rama]

Had the washers not working symptom. Pump working OK.

Deduced that the input filter to the pump must be blocked. Could only get the pump out by detaching half the bumper. Sure enough the filter was completely blocked with black sludge.

Also found the washer bottle was lined with a sludgy black layer.

Wrestled the bottle out of the car. Now the question is, how to clean it?

Any ideas are welcome.

Tony

[passenger]

Original bottle is 50€. Just buy new one

[Tony Rama]

Originally Posted by passenger

Original bottle is 50€. Just buy new one

Thank's. That's good to know. But still interested to know of any cleaning advice.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Tony Rama

Thank's. That's good to know. But still interested to know of any cleaning advice.

Personal question, Tony; do you or a family member happen to wear dentures?

I have experienced good results from using a denture cleaning tablet in such an application. Depending on the extent of the contamination, it may require more than a single attempt - but it might be worth a try!

Regards, John.

[Jimsmith44]

hot soapy water, that's how i used to do mine years ago,and it's cheap.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Tony Rama

Had the washers not working symptom. Pump working OK.

Deduced that the input filter to the pump must be blocked. Could only get the pump out by detaching half the bumper. Sure enough the filter was completely blocked with black sludge.

Also found the washer bottle was lined with a sludgy black layer.

Wrestled the bottle out of the car. Now the question is, how to clean it?

Any ideas are welcome.

Tony

Hot soapy water and some gravel and give it a shake.

It is Bacteria caused by not using Volvo wash fluid which protects against this problem.

[Tony Rama]

Thanks everyone. All fixed and back together. A handful of small nuts and bolts with washing up liquid and hot water. 15 minutes shaking and all sorted. Put it all back together and .....nothing happened!.... Pump spinning but no show. Pulled off one of the output tubes from the pump and washer fluid came out. Put it back and this time all worked perfectly. So it would seem that the pump needs priming. Something for others to bare in mind.

[Cloth Ears]

There may also be gunk in the lines, I suspect. That could act as a primer for recolonisation of the bottle, plus also restricting flow. Might be worth putting something in the system to get that flushed out over time.

[ShadeTek]

I suspect washing-up fluid has been used in the washer bottle which has caused a build of bacteria and mould much like a washing machine detergent drawer. It is then delivered by the pefect method by atomising the cocktail of bacteria via the washer nossles and in through the car's ventilation system straight to you and your pasengers lungs.

Always use quality waher fluid.

[Tony Rama]

Originally Posted by ShadeTek

I suspect washing-up fluid has been used in the washer bottle which has caused a build of bacteria and mould much like a washing machine detergent drawer. It is then delivered by the pefect method by atomising the cocktail of bacteria via the washer nossles and in through the car's ventilation system straight to you and your pasengers lungs.

Always use quality waher fluid.

Still alive! Must have got away with it this time. You never know how it will end.
There is the story a sailor who survived the Titanic. He used to tell his story for a pint in the pubs of Southampton. How he got dragged under and fought his way to the surface, hung onto some piece of wood and eventually got rescued. One night he had a few too many and fell over and drowned in a puddle of water.