Frozen washer fluid

[Mr. H]

Hi All
First time thread.

Has anyone had any issues with the windscreen wash fluid being frozen.
UK weather -2 degrees, car preheated ready for the journey at 7am.
Car toasty warm, all windows/car fully defrosted but no windscreen jets working.
Surely the fluid must get heat from somewhere to defrost the washer pump?
Any ideas please?

Best wishes
J.

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[kort]

that is unusual, usually the fluid contains anti freeze that should prevent this from happening.
all that I can suggest is to get the car into a warmer place so it can thaw, then drain the reservoir and replace with new fluid.

 

[Mr. H]

Thanks for the reply.
Getting the car into a warmer place could be an issue.
I was hoping Porsche could offer an after market heater.
To be fair, I'm surprised no one else has reported this issue - that's why I originally jumped on the forum for some answers.
Surely not everyone keeps their car garaged. I think I might need to empty mine during the winter if this is going to be a problem. It wasn't even that cold for the UK so god knows what it'll be like in -5 lol.

 

[smoothound]

My (pink spermarket/purple hallfords) washer fluid is (supposed to be) ok typically down to -12 or -10C -

The blue liquids tend to only go down to -5C ish

Not had mine freeze yet over decades and numerous different cars - even in a proper Belgian winter of around -10 to -12

 

[Mr. H]

This is my first winter with it.
Collected the Porsche at the end of Feb this year.
Haven’t gone through a winter with it yet so was expecting some issues.
It’ll still have the original Porsche fluid in it so I’ll give the Halfords one a try & see how that fairs.

Thanks for the reply

 

[W1NGE]

Hi All
First time thread.

Has anyone had any issues with the windscreen wash fluid being frozen.
UK weather -2 degrees, car preheated ready for the journey at 7am.
Car toasty warm, all windows/car fully defrosted but no windscreen jets working.
Surely the fluid must get heat from somewhere to defrost the washer pump?
Any ideas please?

Best wishes
J.

The fluid won't be frozen but the nozzles despite being heated (on activation of the washers) may freeze over - just like the windows, door seals and door handles (Winter testing is somewhat subjective at Porsche!).

 

[Fish Fingers]

Mine was frozen last week when it got to -10c. Car was preheated.

I started the journey and it didn't work at all, but very slowly started working a bit.
I then topped it up with some neat washer fluid and it was soon back to normal.

No idea where it gets its heat from? But my heater looks like it's on its way out (like lots of others!) so not sure if that's relevant?

 

[MartyMeatball]

Cheap fluid.

 

[Mr. H]

Thanks for all your replies.
Clearly winter testing at Porsche isn’t the best!
Looks like a trip to Halfords for some new fluid then.
Merry Christmas all

 

[Hanny]

Hi All
First time thread.

Has anyone had any issues with the windscreen wash fluid being frozen.
UK weather -2 degrees, car preheated ready for the journey at 7am.
Car toasty warm, all windows/car fully defrosted but no windscreen jets working.
Surely the fluid must get heat from somewhere to defrost the washer pump?
Any ideas please?

Best wishes
J.

I have been using Preston’s for the last 5 yrs and recommend it, it comes in various bottles sizes and comes in different concentrates plus a ready mixed type. I get the version below which I dilute according to time of year or predicted forecasted temps.

 

[B61]

Years ago, i got a new car in September…dealer didn’t fill winter fluid….it was parked over the (first) night, something below zero. Fluid frozen, so i parked it in a public underground garage for a couple of hours, then pumped out the whole fluid, filled new one…. Sent an angry mail to the dealer, he just said sorry for inconvinience…
If I left the car longer below zero, maybe plastic pipes might burst?

 

[W1NGE]

Thanks for all your replies.
Clearly winter testing at Porsche isn’t the best!
Looks like a trip to Halfords for some new fluid then.
Merry Christmas all

Did you not get a bottle of Porsche Screen Wash with the car?

I typically do and then one every service.

 

[Mr. H]

I have been using Preston’s for the last 5 yrs and recommend it, it comes in various bottles sizes and comes in different concentrates plus a ready mixed type. I get the version below which I dilute according to time of year or predicted forecasted temps.

Thanks for that

 

[Mr. H]

Did you not get a bottle of Porsche Screen Wash with the car?

I typically do and then one every service.

I haven’t seen a bottle from Porsche so I’m assuming not

 

[abrookesuk]

Hit the problem yesterday and today (only -3 outside). I have the Prestone concentrate and they are still blocked. I didn't realise they were heated - I can't find anything on that. Most disappointing - how on earth do you survive in Nordic countries?

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