washers and fluid?

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Kingfisher

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What fluid is everybody using? I was told (unofficially) some years ago that I should really use the VAG stuff as the workshop guys reckoned that some 'cheaper' fluid was solidifying and causing the lamp washers to clog up and blow off the pipes ( that then needed the bumper taken off to refix ! ).

I bought quite a lot of VAG fluid some years ago and it's now running out.

Are you guys using VAG stuff ( I have heard that it's cheaper if you buy from a Skoda dealer - hearsay? ).
It's going in her S3 saloon and my B6 with screen and light washers.

Her S3 has just had new screen washers as the old ones, even after cleaning, were still providing a poor wash/low flow, clogged up - and cleaning didn't work sufficiently well. Only ever had VAG stuff in though!
 
Cheap screen wash coagulate and blocks everything. The other problem is the mix between water and screen wash can cause this.
I’ve been using prestone yellow and blue one for years and not had any issues
 
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AlS3BE said:
Cheap screen wash coagulate and blocks everything. The other problem is the mix between water and screen wash can cause this.
I’ve been using prestone yellow and blue one for years and not had any issues
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I also use Prestone screen wash, think it's in Costco stores to buy as well!

I found some old ready mixed screen wash a while back (supermarket stuff) looked inside and there was all tiny black bits floating around in it!!!
 
AlS3BE said:
Ooooh posh stuff:wink:
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Saves your headlight washer/ bumper caps freezing /clogging up/staying out, this happened on my last S3 and by doing so there's a risk of losing the painted plastic inlay
 
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Lidl (-60deg) 5 litres was around £6.
Been using it for years with no probs.
Even worked in -9 deg with non heated fan washers in my van.
 
Whatever is cheap lol..

TRIPLE QX -7c All Season Screenwash (Tutti Fruity Fragrance) - 5ltr at the moment as it was £2.31
 
I was using Halfords stuff but it blocked my jets and they were never right even after unblocking them. I changed the jets to A6 fan jets and now use VAG screenwash (you can buy it in bulk on eBay).
 
I buy two of the 5 litres containers of the Costco stuff at a time (can’t recall the brand without going out to check in the garage). No issues.
 
It's Prestone (the blue stuff), I use it too and changed the washer jets (as per Svenedelin's useful tip) to those from A6 so got a nice mist now and so easy to adjust (turn with a Torx 9 I believe)
 
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HertS3 said:
It's Prestone (the blue stuff), I use it too and changed the washer jets (as per Svenedelin's useful tip) to those from A6 so got a nice mist now and so easy to adjust (turn with a Torx 9 I believe)
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That’s the stuff, and smells good too!
 
SamR92 said:
What’s the dilution ratio for that stuff? and is it suitable for winter use?
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Hi the dilutions are on the bottle - yes fine for winter 1 to 1 if I remember right - I usually top up with half a bottle and winter just pour a whole bottle in

I tend to top up when car washing rather than wait for the low fluid light
 
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Can't believe it - car just came back from Audi Watford (after spending a whole week trying to program an air bag!) and they advise that the windscreen wipers need replacing (quoted £50) - the Bosch AeroTwins I put on were about a week old when I put the car in!! Surely they can't have looked at them otherwise they'd see they were brand spanking new!
 
I use Halfords concentrate, never had a problem with blocked washer jets. In the past i have used anything cheap and not had any issues.
 
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For th
SamR92 said:
What’s the dilution ratio for that stuff? and is it suitable for winter use?
Click to expand...

For the VAG Screen wash concentrate:

-70C Use Neat
-40C 2 parts screen wash +1 part water
-35C 1 part screen wash +1 part water
-16C 1 part screen wash +2 parts water
Summer 1 part screen wash + 4 parts water

So for UK Winter use 1 + 2 parts water unless Armageddon hits us!
 

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*** people, it’s just another marketing ploy, “you should only use VAG screenwash otherwise your washer jets will get clogged up”.

I’ve had VAG cars for the last 20 years (Golf, Fabia and two A3’s) and I’ve never used the VAG screenwash and have NEVER had any issues.

I’m amazed that people still fall for that cr@p:laughing:
 
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Carefree69 said:
*** people, it’s just another marketing ploy, “you should only use VAG screenwash otherwise your washer jets will get clogged up”.

I’ve had VAG cars for the last 20 years (Golf, Fabia and two A3’s) and I’ve never used the VAG screenwash and have NEVER had any issues.

I’m amazed that people still fall for that cr@p:laughing:
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Nobody is actually saying you have to use VAG screen wash but there is no doubt that certain screen washes DO block the jets. I have used Halfords screen wash in all of my cars over 30 years of motoring and I don't recall the jets ever blocking until my S3. If they do block it is a tedious chore trying to unblock them and in my car after 2 goes at unblocking them they were still not right so I changed them for A6 fan jets and decided I would use the VAG screen wash because I haven't got time to p**s around. If you have headlight washers as well and they block and either get stuck or blow a pipe off good luck with that. Of course there are other screen wash choices, take your pick.
 
My post was referring to the OP’s comments about being told by “workshop guys that non VAG washer fluid can clog up the jets”.

I didn’t say that anyone here had said it.
 
Carefree69 said:
My post was referring to the OP’s comments about being told by “workshop guys that non VAG washer fluid can clog up the jets”.

I didn’t say that anyone here had said it.
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Well the VAG stuff is good, it is true that non-VAG stuff can clog the jets and they are bound to recommend that. They are hardly going to have a list of washer fluids they think are OK. That's asking a bit much.
 
Of course not, but to say that ONLY vag washer fluid should be used is frankly rubbish.

I remember being told the same thing by a dealer when I purchased my first vag car (VW golf), and suffice to say I ignored the advice and my washer jets worked flawlessly in the 3 years of ownership.
 
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My washer jets are utterly *****. Fitting A6 ones sounds like a plan, good call!
 
audi upgrades
Damo S said:
My washer jets are utterly *****. Fitting A6 ones sounds like a plan, good call!
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They are a direct swap. No tools needed and very easy. There are several threads about it on the forum and part numbers. Cardiff Audi sells on eBay
 
Damo S said:
My washer jets are utterly *****. Fitting A6 ones sounds like a plan, good call!
Click to expand...

Mine were realigned last month, however I’ve noticed the middle jet on the right is too powerful and this water is just bouncing off the screen and over my car. Waste of water def. will look in these A6 jets! I had an Merc A class last month and the only thing I liked about it (160D) were the jet washers!
 
scoss said:
Mine were realigned last month, however I’ve noticed the middle jet on the right is too powerful and this water is just bouncing off the screen and over my car. Waste of water def. will look in these A6 jets! I had an Merc A class last month and the only thing I liked about it (160D) were the jet washers!
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I changed mine last weekend to the A6 ones - So much better
 
Sparks43 said:
I changed mine last weekend to the A6 ones - So much better
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Yes, they are much better. Amazing how a small detail like the screen washers can irritate and annoy. I really hate dirty windscreens-it’s a safety issue especially at night.
 
Svenedin said:
Yes, they are much better. Amazing how a small detail like the screen washers can irritate and annoy. I really hate dirty windscreens-it’s a safety issue especially at night.
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I know but what annoys me is that they have these A6 ones which are a straight fit and easier to adjust so why don't they just fit them anyway and do away with the other ones - I can't see them being much more expensive than the pistol ones
 
Sparks43 said:
I changed mine last weekend to the A6 ones - So much better
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My Q2 has the spray ones so must be the same as the A6. I never understood why people cared so much about changing the wiper jets but its so much better. The A3 had the normal ones but the Q2s are way better. cover more area and. just more effective. Defo worth an upgrade.
 
Last edited:
Sonax Xtreme Clearview Screenwash for me.
Anyone got a link for the A6 jets to fit a S3 8V please.
Thanks
 
Fozzer said:
Sonax Xtreme Clearview Screenwash for me.
Anyone got a link for the A6 jets to fit a S3 8V please.
Thanks
Click to expand...

The link doesn't work anymore but part numbers listed below:

Audi A6 Right Heated Front Washer Jet 4G0955988A
Audi A6 Left Heated Front Washer Jet 4G0955987A

My mate works at Audi so cost me £18.60 for the pair with discount - so assume will be about £22 - £25 retail - Parts on here might be able to supply them - Cardiff Audi are usually good in their ebay shop as well
 
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Thanks Sparks, appreciate your help.
Will these fit the S3, mate as I don’t think mine are heated
Thanks again.
 
Presume when referring to left and right washer jets it’s as looking from the front of the car
 
Fozzer said:
Presume when referring to left and right washer jets it’s as looking from the front of the car
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Nope. It's from the driver's position. The ones you replace are marked anyway - just swap like for like.

.
 
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