Windscreen washers can be bad for you....

Pete · 14th June 2010, 12:44

New research has suggested a possible link between the water present in vehicle windscreen washers and Legionnaire's Disease.

Washer bottles typically spend much of their time containing warm water - which can be a great breeding palce for the legionnella bacteria.

However, there seems to be little need to panic. Just add a good dose of screenwasher fluid which will kill the Legionella bacteria. Common sense but worth putting a shot in your bottle soon.

You can read more about this here.

Pumpwater · 14th June 2010, 16:40

But was the research funded by a screenwash company? am I a cynic or what?

Just put a dollop of methylated spirit in with the washer water

Simondi · 14th June 2010, 16:42

I'm glad to say I've never been thirsty enough to drink from the washers

Rover418275 · 14th June 2010, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simondi

I'm glad to say I've never been thirsty enough to drink from the washers

How strange, someone told me of an AA patrolman who rigged up a second washer bottle to a tube from which he could sip vodka whilst on patrol.........

sworks · 14th June 2010, 17:47

the water does go to a horrible slimey smelly substance after a while so I can well believe it!

pondweed · 14th June 2010, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpwater

Just put a dollop of methylated spirit in with the washer water

is this a l0ng-used technique, or is just a suggestion of what might work?

Simondi · 14th June 2010, 20:20

Is it really a problem

I mean how many people does this affect

Rover418275 · 14th June 2010, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simondi

Is it really a problem

I mean how many people does this affect

Only French Legionairres apparently............

Roverowner · 14th June 2010, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover418275

Only French Legionairres apparently............

Mister Bean does his teeth in it

Pumpwater · 14th June 2010, 21:24

Screenwash contains isopropanol which is an alcohol similar to that in methylated spirit & contains about 10% when at user concentration. The rest is water and a surface active agent (washing up liquid). It is the alcohol that prevents the liquid freezing & bacteria growing. You can buy Ispropanol at the chemist but meths is cheaper & easier to get. I make my own screenwash & it works fine, but if the concentration of alcohol gets up to about 40% then it will be inflammable.

14th June 2010, 12:44	#1
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,876 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	Windscreen washers can be bad for you.... New research has suggested a possible link between the water present in vehicle windscreen washers and Legionnaire's Disease. Washer bottles typically spend much of their time containing warm water - which can be a great breeding palce for the legionnella bacteria. However, there seems to be little need to panic. Just add a good dose of screenwasher fluid which will kill the Legionella bacteria. Common sense but worth putting a shot in your bottle soon. You can read more about this here. __________________ Follow The Club On Twitter

14th June 2010, 16:42	#3
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	I'm glad to say I've never been thirsty enough to drink from the washers __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

14th June 2010, 17:47	#5
sworks This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,073 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	the water does go to a horrible slimey smelly substance after a while so I can well believe it! __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

14th June 2010, 20:20	#7
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	Is it really a problem I mean how many people does this affect __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

14th June 2010, 16:40	#2
Pumpwater Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Firefrost Red Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Durham Posts: 470 Thanks: 96 Thanked 55 Times in 38 Posts	But was the research funded by a screenwash company? am I a cynic or what? Just put a dollop of methylated spirit in with the washer water

14th June 2010, 21:24	#10
Pumpwater Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Firefrost Red Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Durham Posts: 470 Thanks: 96 Thanked 55 Times in 38 Posts	Screenwash contains isopropanol which is an alcohol similar to that in methylated spirit & contains about 10% when at user concentration. The rest is water and a surface active agent (washing up liquid). It is the alcohol that prevents the liquid freezing & bacteria growing. You can buy Ispropanol at the chemist but meths is cheaper & easier to get. I make my own screenwash & it works fine, but if the concentration of alcohol gets up to about 40% then it will be inflammable.