Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MissMillie

(38,450 posts)
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 07:08 PM Jan 2018

My wiper fluid line has thawed!

This past summer my guy filled the line w/ the stuff that doesn't have the anit-freeze. I didn't use it all and it froze up this winter.

The next couple of days I'm going to wash my windshield until it's gone, and then fill it w/ the good stuff.

I don't even know why they sell the crappy stuff here in New England. For sure, I'm never buying it. If I have to stock up this winter, I will.

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My wiper fluid line has thawed! (Original Post) MissMillie Jan 2018 OP
About that, must have been frustrating. irisblue Jan 2018 #1
Every time I drove my car MissMillie Jan 2018 #2
I think that's what happened to me janterry Jan 2018 #3
You can use a hair dryer or some heat source to thaw out the line IronLionZion Jan 2018 #4
Same happened to me on 2 of 3 of our vehicles LAST year benld74 Jan 2018 #5

MissMillie

(38,450 posts)
2. Every time I drove my car
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 07:26 PM
Jan 2018

when I stopped I had to throw a few handfuls of snow on my windshield. Kind of a pain in the butt.

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
3. I think that's what happened to me
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 07:36 PM
Jan 2018

I think it got filled it up with the 'freeze-easily' stuff in Florida. Up here I've been topping it off with the -20 stuff, but there must have been some of that left in the tank.

I found out when I was driving the carpool (teenagers, so they noticed!) last week and I used my wiper and was blinded. Really scary for a few minutes~ I was on the highway.

Anyway, I put in more fluid -nothing - then I reasoned that the jet sprayers were plugged so I tried to unplug those - nothing - and then tried to unplug the line..........still nothing.

Finally, I stuck a stick down in the fluid tank and hit residual ice at the bottom. So, the ice must have worked its way up and plugged up the line.

I might just flush the whole thing and start over. I read that if you just keep spraying you might ruin the wipers (so pull the wipers off the windshield and spray away! Or drain it, which is what I'm going to do).

IronLionZion

(45,250 posts)
4. You can use a hair dryer or some heat source to thaw out the line
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 10:59 PM
Jan 2018
https://www.doityourself.com/stry/what-to-do-if-your-windshield-washer-fluid-freezes#5-emergency-diy-winter-car-hacks

While it is inadvisable to use hot water. I have done it in small quantities while being careful to avoid my windshield. This is only when there is thick visible ice.

My brake lines have also frozen. That was scary. It thaws out fairly fast as the engine heats up but can be dicy to drive in that condition. I was in Western NY, Minnesota, and Indiana, always too poor to afford indoor parking.

I buy several jugs of the deicing wiper fluid and fill it up to use year round. Oil change places use the cheap stuff.

benld74

(9,888 posts)
5. Same happened to me on 2 of 3 of our vehicles LAST year
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 02:30 PM
Jan 2018

Vowed to make it the LAST time.
Almost made it.
This year I failed on 1 vehicle. Daughters car, and she is still on vacation until next week. With temps in the high 50's now, I plan to fill hers with the 35 below stuff

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»My wiper fluid line has t...