Windshield washer fluid frozen. What to do?

The reservoir is a PITA to get to (Honda Fit) and the fluid is completely frozen. I tried using a portable forced air propane heater, but it only thawed the lines. Is there any effective options other than completely removing it and bringing it inside?

 

where is the resivoir located? if its in the vehicle, try running the heater for a little while. if its in the engine bay, eventually the engine heat will thaw it out. same goes for the lines. once you get it to thaw, try to find some fluid rated for cold temps

 

Jon if its cold enough for that to freeze wouldn't it just freeze on the windshield?

 

This. Put some alcohol (methanol) in the reservior also, it'll help the melting process.

 

Thanks, I'll look for some methanol. Won't damage anything, will it? I just want to thaw and drain this stuff (whatever it is the dealership put in) and put in the winter rated stuff.

 

Methanol is the alcohol that is in windshield washer fluid anyways, that's what makes it so it doesn't freeze. It's also what trucks with air brakes use so their lines don't freeze so it shouldn't be overly difficult to find. If you mix it really rich, I wouldn't use it because straight alcohol on paint will just strip all the protective wax but it should help thaw it out quicker combined with the engine heat.

 

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I should just run straight up methanol!

 

Nope, for the same reason you don't want to use a lot of the super-duper cold weather stuff..damage to wax and/or paint. In my experience it also helps to keep it topped off in the winter. Never had a problem with mine doing that in New England.

 

could just use vodka

 

I've been running that Rain-X De-Icer stuff and it's worked well so far. Hasn't frozen yet and does a nice job keeping the windshield from icing up also.

 

Simple, yet effective! Any alcohol will do if you're draining it anyways. Higher proof, the better.

 

fact. thats what james may used for his expedition to the live volcano in the north pole hilux to cool his tires

 

Is that the orange stuff? And do you cut it or just straight up?

 

to thaw it out..you need to borrow a warm garage.

or maybe run a cheapo hair dryer on it for a long time?

 

Tried a propane heater already. I bought some of that "Heet" stuff the other day but it didn't do jack.

 

hot water in to resi