Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 July 2013, 20:55:05

Title: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 July 2013, 20:55:05
Have just been using plain old tap water since that last time i used some screen wash additives it turned a nasty sewerage type smell...

But since this warm weather the screen soon get loads of dead bugs and tar and all sorts of scrap thrown at it and plain old water ain't doing squat , If anything making smear marks (wipers are only a month or so old Bosch classic type)...

The only way to clean it to do it manually by hand say once a day... Just wondering is there a recommended product to add to the water ?

Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: tunnie on 26 July 2013, 21:01:01
Err screenwash  ::)

I get big bottles of GM's Opticlean, does a good job smells nice and does not turn into bad drain smell.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: dbug on 26 July 2013, 21:01:20
Believe OOF recommend Vx screen wash - personally I use a proprietary one.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 July 2013, 21:03:33
Ah so something like this but bigger from a VX dealer  :y

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-100-ML-GENUINE-NEW-/160973991487?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acc2e3f
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2013, 21:12:20
You must use some screenwash, else you will get a nasty slime grow in the bottle, that will shag the pumps (esp headlight one, as no filter on that.

I use whatever shite Costco have on offer, then buy it by the bucketload.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: dbug on 26 July 2013, 21:13:18
More like this Jay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-5-LITRE-GENUINE-NEW-/160974038570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acce62a (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-5-LITRE-GENUINE-NEW-/160974038570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acce62a) :y
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 July 2013, 21:18:27
More like this Jay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-5-LITRE-GENUINE-NEW-/160974038570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acce62a (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-5-LITRE-GENUINE-NEW-/160974038570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acce62a) :y

 :y Ideal will inquire..

Another question how much in millilitres should i add to the bottle i.e. 400ml ?
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2013, 21:20:07
More like this Jay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-5-LITRE-GENUINE-NEW-/160974038570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acce62a (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-GM-OPTICLEAN-SCREENWASH-5-LITRE-GENUINE-NEW-/160974038570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257acce62a) :y

 :y Ideal will inquire..

Another question how much in millilitres should i add to the bottle i.e. 400ml ?
In summer, I tend to go 16:1, in harsh winter, neat. And then somewhere in between at other times of year.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Andy B on 26 July 2013, 21:59:14
...
Another question how much in millilitres should i add to the bottle i.e. 400ml ?

As Jamie says, you really must use something in the washer bottle, otherwise the screen pump ends up not being able to suck from the tank due to the slime build up on the filter.
I mix it up in another  bottle around 3 parts water to 1 part screen wash and getting stronger the colder it gets.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 26 July 2013, 23:39:01
...
Another question how much in millilitres should i add to the bottle i.e. 400ml ?

As Jamie says, you really must use something in the washer bottle, otherwise the screen pump ends up not being able to suck from the tank due to the slime build up on the filter.
I mix it up in another  bottle around 3 parts water to 1 part screen wash and getting stronger the colder it gets.

Will do asap  :y
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 July 2013, 00:40:22
Just to add, it is potentially quite a serious health issue.

A guy at work got pneumonia. H + S got involved via his Dr, as the suspicion was, eventually, that he wasn't using screen wash in his washer bottle.

Turns out the Dr has seen a few cases among van drivers where they had lung infections because the company vans had no screen wash. Hot day, windows open, bugs all over the screen in a low sun. Quick squirt of the washers and dirty water comes in the drivers window.

The vans where left on tick over often, boiling hot radiator, behind hot ac condenser on some models, behind a washer bottle with no screen wash. Leaves absolutely minging water in the bottle after years of no screen wash.

There was a suggestion of legionaries . But I don't think it got that far, as the water temp has to be above 68c (?) for that to occur. But brings it home.... In fact, here's a link.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/14/pneumonia_screenwash/
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 July 2013, 00:49:15
Actually I just checked, the temp range for legionaries is much lower than that.

25c to 45c is possible. With 35c being about perfect for the bacteria to grow. :o

I never knew that. :(

Might be upping the dose in mine from now on. ::)
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 27 July 2013, 00:50:04
 :o :o :o :o :o :o Chris, That's one hell of a motivation boost post ... Better get some double asap...
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 July 2013, 00:52:21
:o :o :o :o :o :o Chris, That's one hell of a motivation boost post ... Better get some double asap...

Yeah, scared meself a bit there. I didn't realise the temp required was that low. :o
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 July 2013, 00:54:16
Obviously don't breath that shite in. Carefull not to splash it about when filling or cleaning the system out etc.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 27 July 2013, 00:55:38
:o :o :o :o :o :o Chris, That's one hell of a motivation boost post ... Better get some double asap...

Yeah, scared meself a bit there. I didn't realise the temp required was that low. :o

 and with the heat wave we've been having over the past few weeks  :o :-\, Gets oneself thinking  :o
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 27 July 2013, 00:59:03
Is there a quick way to empty the tank without doing it by using the system ?

If a awkward job might just empty with the lights on and window jets on sit in the car with windows shut wearing a mask and latex gloves till its empty.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 July 2013, 01:06:36
Is there a quick way to empty the tank without doing it by using the system ?

If a awkward job might just empty with the lights on and window jets on sit in the car with windows shut wearing a mask and latex gloves till its empty.

How long has it been water only? If a week or so I guess, chuck a five litre bottle in neat. Put the cap back on quick and leave it.

If its full, reach in and pull the pump motor out, as the filter cleaning guide (I think there is one?) and the majority of the water will poor out over the floor.

Flush it out, rinse away, re fit fill with screen wash and blast it through the jets. Clean the thing out.
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 27 July 2013, 01:12:45
Is there a quick way to empty the tank without doing it by using the system ?

If a awkward job might just empty with the lights on and window jets on sit in the car with windows shut wearing a mask and latex gloves till its empty.

How long has it been water only? If a week or so I guess, chuck a five litre bottle in neat. Put the cap back on quick and leave it.

If its full, reach in and pull the pump motor out, as the filter cleaning guide (I think there is one?) and the majority of the water will poor out over the floor.

Flush it out, rinse away, re fit fill with screen wash and blast it through the jets. Clean the thing out.

I'd say a month or so just on water but its had a few refills, not sure about previous owner can't remember if there was a fragrance or not..

Will do  :y, Think many will be doing similar if they read this thread  ::) ;D :o
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 July 2013, 01:29:30
Although... Thinking further I suppose if the bacteria can't grow below 25c... Would just cold water be enough to flush it out safely. As long as the water temp is low enough...?

I don't know enough about it tbh. I'm doubting the seriousness of this, but the more I check the worse it seems to get. ;D
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: 05omegav6 on 27 July 2013, 03:24:32
Mains cold water is typically 19°c, factor in heatsoak given the much higher ambient temperatures, and your probably not too far off 25° :-\

If in doubt, a slug of Miltons Sterilization fluid, closely followed by 5 litres of neat screen wash ought to do the trick :y
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: LFF64 on 27 July 2013, 08:45:17
You could always drop in a sterilising tablet or two ,such as the ones used for baby bottles to debug the system  :y
Title: Re: Screen wash additives
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 31 July 2013, 19:39:29
Well finally got some... :y

(http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/Agemo_Legend/F06882AF-25D4-4B15-97F6-613C3B7F538A-1929-0000016F29993357_zps472886bf.jpg)

Tuns out there was some in there after all although a week mixture id imagine seen as i have been topping it up with plain water...