Weird smell from windsheild washer

[ECaseyP]

I bought a 2014 LT Tahoe a week ago and I've used the washer twice on this thing. Each time I have used it there was a weird smell. It doesn't smell electrical, so I'm leaning towards the washer fluid (AKA probably water) is the culpirate. Any thoughts on how to get the smell to go away if that is the case?

 

[Tonyrodz]

I bought a 2014 LT Tahoe a week ago and I've used the washer twice on this thing. Each time I have used it there was a weird smell. It doesn't smell electrical, so I'm leaning towards the washer fluid (AKA probably water) is the culpirate. Any thoughts on how to get the smell to go away if that is the case?

Have you looked to see if there was anything floating in it? Drain the washer bottle, then flush it out really good. Then you'll need to flush out your fluid lines.

 

[B-train]

Agreed with @Tonyrodz There was a post awhile back about washer fluid actually going bad and growing shit in it. I'd clean out and put in new basic summer blend or the blue -20F stuff that has some alcohol in it.

 

[ECaseyP]

I'll take a look at it this weekend when I have a little extra time. I'll be under it this weekend anyway replacing the front struts and rear shocks. I normally use the rain-X orange washer fluid in my other vehicles and have never had it go bad or smell like this. I'll look today and see if anything is floating in it and see what condition the tank is in. I may consider just replacing the tank, I think there around $60-$70.

 

[B-train]

If you can get the old tank out easy enough, just put a little bleach water or vinegar and water and shake it vigorously. Rinse and repeat until it appears clean. Should t take much to get the crud out if there is some.

I think the post about smelly windshield wash was actually some sort of colored blend (orange or green) summer juice with bug melter in it. And I think it was rain-x. They have some sort of "eco-friendly" ingredients that can grow organisms

 

[ECaseyP]

If you can get the old tank out easy enough, just put a little bleach water or vinegar and water and shake it vigorously. Rinse and repeat until it appears clean. Should t take much to get the crud out if there is some.

I think the post about smelly windshield wash was actually some sort of colored blend (orange or green) summer juice with bug melter in it. And I think it was rain-x. They have some sort of "eco-friendly" ingredients that can grow organisms

I went out at lunch and popped the hood and sure enough it stinks in the reservoir. I'll pull it out this weekend and get it cleaned. I assumed it would be cracked because it's 9 years old. It looks like it doesn't have any cracks.

 

[Tonyrodz]

If you can get the old tank out easy enough, just put a little bleach water or vinegar and water and shake it vigorously. Rinse and repeat until it appears clean. Should t take much to get the crud out if there is some.

I think the post about smelly windshield wash was actually some sort of colored blend (orange or green) summer juice with bug melter in it. And I think it was rain-x. They have some sort of "eco-friendly" ingredients that can grow organisms

Pretty sure it was @TollKeeper who experienced it.

 

[TollKeeper]

Pretty sure it was @TollKeeper who experienced it.

Wasnt me.... But I do remember the thread you are talking about. The Eco-Fluid crud turned into Algae.

Yea.. this stuff.. stay away from it.

https://www.pepboys.com/peak-32-eco-windshield-wash/product/8626530?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r

 

[TollKeeper]

And heres the thread..

Wiper Fluid Gone Bad?

How's it taste?

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Doubeleive]

stick a hose in it and turn it on, let it run
no need to pull it out
after it has flushed for a while run the washer often for a couple days until it is empty and then fill it up with whatever you want.
I wouldn't run it constant because those motors are not made for 100% duty

 

[TollKeeper]

stick a hose in it and turn it on, let it run
no need to pull it out
after it has flushed for a while run the washer often for a couple days until it is empty and then fill it up with whatever you want.
I wouldn't run it constant because those motors are not made for 100% duty

 

[ECaseyP]

Don't know yet if this was a mistake or smart, but I put some pool algae and bacteria killer in the reservoir. It smells like a swimming pool when you spray the washer right now. Ill try to run through the whole reservoir this coming week.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Don't know yet if this was a mistake or smart, but I put some pool algae and bacteria killer in the reservoir. It smells like a swimming pool when you spray the washer right now. Ill try to run through the whole reservoir this coming week.View attachment 405012

Don't leave it in there long, as chlorine can really be abusive to rubber o-ring seals.

 

[YukonRog]

Yeah it was me that posted about the "Alien Spores" in my washer fluid. It was a plant based fluid by Peak that had been opened and put back on the shelf. Apparently, once the air hits it they grow. I didn't notice the black globs and poured some into the reservoir before noticing. I used a small HF hand pump to remove all the bad stuff. Don't run your pump any longer than absolutely necessary to flush the lines with the good stuff afterwards. I wouldn't replace the reservoir unless it's leaking. Put some rubbing alcohol in it. 1 cup per gallon max. That will cure the smell.