Anti freeze in windscreen wash reservoir

asbokid

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Pets don't need suggestions, especially cats, who like the taste of antifreeze.

i was just about to say the same.

i spotted a poster in the vets' surgery warning about anti-freeze, and the risk of cats drinking it.

made me think about cleaning up the puddle of A/F that i left on the drive after a coolant flush.

roddydogs

moonrakerz wrote: »

"What's wrong with pre-mixed windscreen wash? I got 2.5 litres for £1 at Asda a few weeks ago and I'm using it now."

Nothing wrong with it except the price.....ASDAs own brand is Pre-mixed, but they sometimes sell "CarPlan" which is the same price, but you dilute 4-1, so its really 1/4 the price.

alastairq

Who suggested drinking it?

drips on fingers......fingers subsequently [inadvertently] stuck in mouth....

it happens.....will make you sick.

Wig

vaio wrote: »

I’d have thought if you asked they’d tell you that waste antifreeze is “hazardous waste” and must only be disposed of via a holder of the required waste management licence

This is what people on honestjohn have said who say they did ask and that is what they were told. Was a couple of years ago though

Fact is, it can be removed by water treatment works and it should not be put down clean water drains. In the absence of any clear advice/instructions putting it down the loo is your best option.

But I just checked nearly all the water websites and none of them address this issue, you'd have thought if it was important for them they would have a section on what is and is not ok to put down the loo...... but they don't, none of them do.

I've looked at a couple of council sites aswell and they also say nothing on the subject, a couple of them unbelievably mention antifreeze and just say to give it to your neighbours. What they mean here is unused antifreeze, because the stuff that comes out of cars is called coolant not antifreeze, you'd think a council which listed 'antifreeze' would also add a comment for what to do with used antifreeze/coolant.

Wig

scotsman4th wrote: »

5. What should I do with my used antifreeze?[FONT=Verdana, Tahoma, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Used antifreeze is considered hazardous waste, and if the Environment Agency trace improper disposal of the product back to yourself you will be liable for very heavy fines and possible prosecution. It is VERY IMPORTANT you do not just pour the used antifreeze down drains or sewers, as it can cause illness and death to organisms which consume it (including marine life, pets and humans). If you require help or advice regarding antifreeze disposal please [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Tahoma, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]contact us[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Tahoma, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].[/FONT]

It is of course in the best interests of a private company to over exagerrate the issue and scaremonger. A private company such as this would be targetting businesses who have lots of antifreeze to dispose of or who dispose of it regularly, they simply are not talking to the DIY home mechanic. What instructions have you found on the internet from any local authority or water company? EDIT: the only info I have found from a few councils (Plymouth, Bristol, essex, among them) is that their local amenity sites take "antifreeze" in small quantities & to offer it to your neighbour aswell, none of them address the issue that it is actually called coolant in its used state and lots of DIY car mechanics are going to have this problem.

alastairq

not forgetting that 'anti-freeze' in coolantterms isn't jsut one type of substance...there are different types of coolant antifreeze, depending on specific applications......ethylene-glycol is one mentioned......propylene-glycol is another I can think of....

there may be others.....

I guess many councils don't want to take chances on advice....especially as other substances will be present in used coolant.

maninthestreet

ohreally wrote: »

Ethylene glycol based af is poisonous and if it's ingested can cause problems.

It does have an antidote though - Ethanol, i.e alcohol.

FirstTimer4Me

hiya can i ask a question

in my washscreen bottle it's got 'anti-freeze' in it but when i tried to use it his morning the wipers worked but nothing came out of the nozzle i think the pipes were frozen is there anything i can get to stope the pipes / nozzle freezing

hope i've explained it right

robredz

Increase the amount of antifreeze in the water to the suggestion for harsh conditions, or a bit more. Works for me. Bear in mind that if the babylon pull you over for a spot check they will treat frozen washers the same as inoperative washers, and ticket you for a CU offence, if they are in a mean Anihilator-like mood, Renault Espace, and Mercedes Sprinter washers confuse some of the panda plods though, cos there are no washer jets for them to see the water goes through the blades directly onto the screen.

Wig

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

hiya can i ask a question

in my washscreen bottle it's got 'anti-freeze' in it but when i tried to use it his morning the wipers worked but nothing came out of the nozzle i think the pipes were frozen is there anything i can get to stope the pipes / nozzle freezing

hope i've explained it right

First of all you shouldn't have any antifreeze in your screenwash bottle - that's what this whole thread was started for.

You need "screenwash" in your screenwash bottle. Go to Halfords and buy 5 litres of concentrated screen wash for £5 and pour it into your bottle so you have at least 25% of screen wash to 75% of water. But with this weather you might try going for 33% screenwash.

Mine froze this morning aswell in the pipes so I have to increase the concentration aswell tonight.