Removing the tank
On some cars, for example, on many VAZ models, up to Granta, this takes several minutes. And it will take the same amount of time to warm up the tank at home under hot water. On cars built on the B0 platform, the tank is located in a niche under the right side of the windshield. It is also better to remove it, although it involves a little more disassembly.
In most modern cars, for layout reasons, the tank is located in a cavity near the junction of the front bumper with the fender. You can't take it off quickly. This means we use other defrosting methods.
On Kalina, the washer reservoir can be removed in a couple of minutes.
On Kalina, the washer reservoir can be removed in a couple of minutes.
On the Nissan Almera, as well as on other models on the B0 platform, a little more effort is required - before disconnecting the wires and hoses and unscrewing the fastening bolt, you need to remove the plastic trim.
On the Nissan Almera, as well as on other models on the B0 platform, a little more effort is required - before disconnecting the wires and hoses and unscrewing the fastening bolt, you need to remove the plastic trim.
VasKey › Blog › What to do if the fluid in the washer reservoir is frozen
How many of us believe weather forecasts? Probably only those who can consider themselves superstitious at all. Winter, for example, always comes unexpectedly, and drivers begin to scratch their heads and feverishly figure out where to get winter tires, how to revive a dead battery, and what to do to defrost the washer reservoir, which is frozen by shameless ice.
Epiphany frosts are crackling outside, winter, like a well-drunk lady, allows herself almost everything, fur coats begin to walk their mistresses, and in the refrigerators of Russians it becomes warmer than outside the window. This weather is made for warm blankets, mugs of hot tea and melodramatic comedies with the family. But, alas, winter is tricky and sometimes forces you to solve quite complex puzzles.
Numb Washer
Even an experienced driver can wake up in the morning and find that the thermometer has dropped below zero. The car owner begins to mentally go over in his head whether he has done everything to prevent the frosts from affecting the well-being of his “steel horse”. And then disappointment sets in - there is still water in the washer reservoir, and the recently purchased “anti-freeze” is still standing on the shelf in the garage. And if it’s minus outside, it means the washer fluid in the washer reservoir has frozen. No options.
The image of a trickle of liquid on the lid of the tank in cold weather looks like a mockery
They say that the problems that befall a person are an opportunity to take the path of self-development. Nonsense. But one thing is clear: sometimes it is better not to solve problems, but to negotiate with him. So we suggest you “negotiate” with the cold-blooded washer reservoir of your car. There are only two options: either you become part of the solution, or you remain part of the problem.
What not to do
There is a lot of advice on the Internet about what to do if the water in the washer freezes. And the first one is to use hot water. Option. But it is worth considering that this method will only work if the tank is no more than a third full. Otherwise, you can only make the situation worse. In addition, under no circumstances should you use boiling water, which can easily deform the liquid container. So don’t cut the Gordian knot rashly, because there may be more knots underneath it.
Stock up on antifreeze in advance
It also won’t help to simply start the engine and warm it up, because in most cars the windshield washer reservoir is located not under the hood, but under the fender. In order to defrost the ice in this case, you will need an engine with a devilish fuse.
What to do if the water in the washer reservoir is frozen
If you are the happy owner of a miracle of the domestic automobile industry, then your VAZ will not let you down, because it is very easy to solve this problem with it. It is enough to remove the tank and warm it in a warm place. With foreign cars things are completely different. So our guide primarily concerns owners of foreign-made cars.
There are no problems with VAZ washer reservoirs
So, first you should buy a good antifreeze liquid that has an extreme temperature threshold. Then we warm up the car so that it seems as if you have not a stove, but a fireplace.
Antifreeze liquid should be heated
The “anti-freeze” should be heated and then added to the washer fluid reservoir, which is occupied by ice. As the ice melts, the water will change from solid to liquid and decrease in volume. This means that we need to add antifreeze liquid. After the operation to rescue the glass cleaning system, all liquid should be drained from the tank and anti-freeze should be added.
Warm parking will help get rid of ice
If you have time, you can drive the car into a warm parking lot of a shopping center or go to a car wash - as a rule, such places are warm enough to solve the problem.
OUR ADVICE If the tube that goes to the washer nozzles is frozen, then with strong liquid pressure it can easily jump off the fitting. Buddha forbid, this happens to the rear window washer - there will be no problems.
But owners of cars that are equipped with heated nozzles and washer reservoirs never wonder at what temperature water freezes. We remind you - at 0°C. We wish you that your problems with your car will be calculated in the same figure.
If you're at a dead end, don't despair - spring is just around the corner
www.gazu.ru/car/winter_exploation/10306/
We inflate with a compressor
If a small amount of liquid is frozen in the tank, you can fill in concentrated non-freezing liquid (up to -30 ° C), preheating it. To quickly wash away the ice, you can lower the hose from the tire compressor into the neck. Air bubbles will intensively mix the liquid, thereby improving heat transfer.
By supplying air from a tire compressor to the tank, we intensively mix the liquid without the risk of damaging anything.
By supplying air from a tire compressor to the tank, we intensively mix the liquid without the risk of damaging anything.
Defrosting washer nozzles and hoses
If you warmed up the tank in a warm room, the hoses and nozzles definitely thawed. If you struggled with the tank freezing in the cold, then you will have to defrost them separately.
The nozzles can be warmed up by placing a plastic bag filled with hot water on them.
The tubes, where available, should be kneaded with your hands to break up the ice in them. As soon as the tank is warmed up and the pump is humming, you need to try to break through with a concentrated washer. Don't be afraid to keep the pump running for a long time. Our tests have shown that working for even a few minutes does not harm it.
Ways to defrost the washer reservoir
Warming up the glass cleaning system means increasing the water temperature to “above zero”. Depending on the means at hand, the amount of free time, the degree of difficulty, that is, the amount of ice in the container, a convenient option is selected to warm up the washer reservoir.
Most Popular:
- heating in a warm room;
- hot water;
- frost-resistant cleaning mixtures;
- alcohol;
- defrosting the container separately from the machine.
Increase in air temperature
You can drive into a warm parking lot, visit a car mechanic (at the same time the car will warm up), check the weather forecast (if it was the first frost, it may thaw on its own in a couple of days, and there is no need to rush).
It's difficult to guess with the time spent. If there is little water in the glass cleaning system and the room is warm enough, then everything will go quickly. Conversely, it can take several hours if the water is frozen with a large piece of ice. Then you can speed up the defrosting process.
Hot water
Dealing with a large massive piece of ice, even with hot liquids, is difficult, but it is possible with patience. You should pour regular boiling water into the washer tank to the brim.
You need to be careful with boiling water. The windshield washer container is made of plastic. Hot boiling water can warp it.
Periodically you need to check the degree of defrosting. If you can spray liquid, that’s good. In this case, everything is poured onto the glass. If this does not work, and the water has cooled down greatly, you need to drain the cooled water and add hot water again. You can drain using a thin hose.
Then you should definitely replace the water with a non-freezing seasonal version of the purifier.
Anti-freeze
The entire procedure described above can be done with warm non-freezing liquid. It will melt the ice on its own, especially if it is a high-quality and concentrated liquid, and by heating it additionally, for example, on a heating radiator or in a water bath, the effect can be enhanced.
Moreover, if initially there was little frozen water, and the temperature outside is not yet too low, the resulting mixture does not need to be changed. The result is simply a diluted cleanser that does not freeze at a different temperature range. True, it is difficult to find out this range.
Alcohol
From a chemical point of view, industrial alcohol is perfect, and defrosting the ice will be successful. This component is included in most frost-resistant cleanser formulations.
It is difficult to find isopropyl or formic in the required volume, but ethyl is widespread everywhere. This is regular medical alcohol or its diluted version - vodka. Although from an economic point of view the option will be more expensive.
The procedure is no different from those described above. If it is not vodka that is poured, but concentrated alcohol, then as a result of mixing it with water in the tank you will get a homemade non-freezing “washer”.
Removing the tank
It is not possible to quickly remove the washer fluid container on all cars, and not every driver knows how to do this, but the possibility is there. This option is especially convenient for owners of domestic models, in which the design often allows you to remove the tank simply and without damage. And finding a warm room in which the container will fit separately from the machine is, of course, easier.
