Should the windshield wash formula be part of the selection process?

[GON]

Should the windshield wash formula be part of the selection process? Do certain windshield wash formulas eat at the plastic holding tank, and delivery hoses?

In the garage a few minutes ago and I hear water dripping. This alarms me as I live in the desert. Looking around, discover what I experienced twice before.

The windshield wash fluid slowly ate its plastic storage container. Yes, the fluid is two plus years old. But, what is going on with this fluid stored in our vehicle over time? Is there a formula that doesn't eat plastics?

 

[dishdude]

How old is that container? I had a bottle of isopropyl alcohol under the bathroom sink that sprung a leak, might be the alcohol. It couldn't have been more than 2-3 years old.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have used rainx forever. I had my Xterra tank out for the first time not so long ago - its buried in the inner fender and I needed to get at something else. 18 years old, showed no issues. Is no reason you can't make a plastic jug that will hold for same.

Its up to the packaging designer to specify a material that will hold up to whatever. Its just alcohol - shouldn't be an issue.

I suspect your leaky jug was a short fill or other construction problem that finally came to fruition. The jugs are usually made by a third party at lowest possible cost. Have you found the actual leak?

 

[dishdude]

The reservoir in vehicles is much thicker than that disposable bottle. The only time I've seen one leak was due to accident damage.

 

[GON]

I have used rainx forever. I had my Xterra tank out for the first time not so long ago - its buried in the inner fender and I needed to get at something else. 18 years old, showed no issues. Is no reason you can't make a plastic jug that will hold for same.

Its up to the packaging designer to specify a material that will hold up to whatever. Its just alcohol - shouldn't be an issue.

I suspect your leaky jug was a short fill or other construction problem that finally came to fruition. Have you found the actual leak?

This was the third leak container. Further the first two containers leaked while I was working OCONUS. The leak was a trickle leak over six months. Results were the rain ex sitting on the garage floor over a long period ate into the epoxy floor paint.

Come to think of it, my sitting s550 windshield wash reported empty when I went to unstore her after sitting for six months in the same garage. Big stain on the floor under the Mercedes engine area. Thought it was coolant, now I have to investigate, maybe it was washer fluid.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I thought something stored in a plastic bottle and is intended for pouring in another plastic container would be plastic-safe

 

[Furious]

The rain-x bottle is not designed to just sit on the shelf for years and years. Over time the plastic begins to break down, temperature fluctuations cause stress and eventually very small cracks.

Rain-X states their products are intended to be used within 1 year and they do not guarantee it beyond 2 years.

Your windshield washer reservoir is designed for long term use, it is thicker, it is designed to handle heat, cold, vibration.

 

[CKN]

Plastic dries out -what's in the bottle may or may not expedite that.

 

[Hall]

The jugs are usually made by a third party at lowest possible cost.

Believe it or not, in many cases the bottles are produced in-house, in the same facility as the fluid. This is definitely common with water bottlers, flavored liquids (iced tea, etc) too. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same for windshield washer fluid.

 

[Hall]

But, what is going on with this fluid stored in our vehicle over time?

Ideally it's being used and not hoarded

 

[mdtn952]

Yikes, I better go check my stash.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Believe it or not, in many cases the bottles are produced in-house, in the same facility as the fluid. This is definitely common with water bottlers, flavored liquids (iced tea, etc) too. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same for windshield washer fluid.

The gallon jugs I have seen often come from a 3rd party like Berry plastics - but often very near or shipping would not be worth it. I suppose it depends on volume. I think there blow molded correct?

I assumed the smaller stuff like 16 oz ones were thermo formed? Never gotten much involved with that stuff.

 

[f355spider]

What are the storage conditions (temp extremes) in your garage? The bottle looks like it has damage?

My only selection process on windshield washer fluid is I do not use Rain X or any water repellent fluid in my newer BMW as it has the electronic fluid sensor, rather than the old school float. I use plain deicer type windshield fluid in the newer BMW.

"Using Rain-X windshield washer fluid can contaminate and damage your vehicle's windshield washer fluid sensor, preventing it from accurately reading low fluid levels, and potentially leading to a costly repair. The polymer coating from the fluid can build up on the sensor's contacts, causing the "low wash fluid" light to come on and stay on.

 

[Vercingetorix]

One of my Rotella bottles sprang a leak.

 

[GON]

What are the storage conditions (temp extremes) in your garage? The bottle looks like it has damage?

The storage conditions are as shown. Dry environment, in a open air grated shelf. This is my fourth discovery of a rain ex leak. On the self, you can see another leaker, all the way to empty. Also shown is the results on the leak on other items.

 

[GON]

One of my Rotella bottles sprang a leak.

Many of my long term oil storage containers spring a leak. The difference is most oil pans are metal.. not to worried about oil eating a metal oil pan. I am definitely now concerned about washer fluid eating plastic storage and delivery components of a windshield washer system.

 

[CKN]

Ideally it's being used and not hoarded

Or moved across the country.

 

[97prizm]

Should the windshield wash formula be part of the selection process? Do certain windshield wash formulas eat at the plastic holding tank, and delivery hoses?

In the garage a few minutes ago and I hear water dripping. This alarms me as I live in the desert. Looking around, discover what I experienced twice before.

The windshield wash fluid slowly ate its plastic storage container. Yes, the fluid is two plus years old. But, what is going on with this fluid stored in our vehicle over time? Is there a formula that doesn't eat plastics?

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I've never seen this happen. I even have a gallon jug of the bug wash variety with no leaks. I will say I like the yellow Prestone washer fluid. It says keeps from re-freezing on the bottle and the plastic container seems a little heavier duty.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Well, Rain-X De-icer is 89.5% methyl alcohol - according to this SDS - https://msds.uapinc.com/msds/PDF/FICHES/PER01-464 75010 - RAIN-X DE-ICER ANG.pdf

I think normal rain-X washer fluid from walmart is much less - like less than half alcohol.

I wonder is they bottled it in the wrong container?

 

[Kira]

Many of my long term oil storage containers spring a leak.

Long term value seekers, or hoarders, take notice.

I wonder is they bottled it in the wrong container?

Possibly.
Jug quality probably fluctuates a lot.

Do check for old, brittle charcoal lighter fluid containers.
My dad was in the fire department, so I know of what I speak.