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How do I prevent screenwash sludge?

Having just paid £130 to have the sludge (which completely stopped the screen wash working) cleared from my BMW X1 can you exlain why sludge accumulates and what to do to prevent it happening again .I have only ever topped up with commecial screenwash and water

Asked on 30 September 2024 by Mike Riley

Answered by David Ross
The windscreen washer system can become clogged with algae and other bacteria formed from a combination of water and screenwash residue. Any body of water left long enough will accumulate unwanted detritus, and any dirt within the system will eventually end up in the washer bottle. Mixing different brands of screenwash can cause sludge to accumulate, so we would suggest choosing a good quality brand and sticking with it. To avoid this happening in future there is no substitute for emptying the system and flushing it through with plenty of clean water, although this can be a time consuming task, so you may wish to try a cleaning additive which can be added to your washer fluid.
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