From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:31:11 +0000, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature,
but 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the
bonnet was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Some cars have heated pipes ....
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-01-07 15:00, Jethro_uk wrote:

On Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:31:11 +0000, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature,
but 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the
bonnet was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Some cars have heated pipes ....

Probably not quite your case, but sometimes the washer jets seem to get
a thin cap of ice after first use, I suspect that the isopropanol or
whatever it is that stops it freezing in the reservoir evaporates and
cools the now almost pure water at the nozzle. When that happens, they
can often be cleared by putting your finger on them for a while to heat
just the very tip.

nib

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers

Dave R

If you can work-up enough pressure you could pee on them (hint: DIY). I
was known to do that with frozen car door locks in my impecunious
student days.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 07/01/2026 16:19, No mail wrote:

David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you
have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

If you can work-up enough pressure you could pee on them (hint: DIY). I
was known to do that with frozen car door locks in my impecunious
student days.

Did you get the owner's permission before 'helping out' in this way?
Did the Magistrate accept your defence?
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers

Dave R

Years ago, I saw someone heat a key with a lighter and press it against the jet. It worked, after a couple of tries.

I assume it would only work if only the tip / jet was ice, it seems
unlikely the heat would be enough to warm the nozzle and the pipe etc.

I remember rCytipsrCO in car magazines recommending wrapping a length of thin copper pipe around the exhaust manifold and routing the washer pipe through
it.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 07/01/2026 16:19, No mail wrote:

David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you
have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

If you can work-up enough pressure you could pee on them (hint: DIY). I
was known to do that with frozen car door locks in my impecunious
student days.

you're taking the pee!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers

Dave R

Nothing wrong with tepid or warmish water, been using it for decades.
(Never tried boiling water on account of not being an imbecile.)
--
SS

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 07/01/2026 21:07, Brian wrote:

I remember rCytipsrCO in car magazines recommending wrapping a length of thin copper pipe around the exhaust manifold and routing the washer pipe through it.

I did something similar - I wrapped copper pipe, around one of the
heater hoses. It worked quite well, once the engine was warm, and warm
water squirted on the screen on the journey, was better than cold.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 2026-01-07, Simon Simple <nothanks@nottoday.co.uk> wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you >> have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

Nothing wrong with tepid or warmish water, been using it for decades.
(Never tried boiling water on account of not being an imbecile.)

"Cold" water from the tap is warm enough to clear the ice (possibly with several applications is it's thick).

I expect some people see kettles being used to "water the windscreen"
and assume kettle = boiling water, where in fact the kettle is probably
the only large jug to hand...
--
Ian

"Tamahome!!!" - "Miaka!!!"
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Sam Plusnet wrote:

On 07/01/2026 16:19, No mail wrote:

David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature,
but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water
(if you
have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

If you can work-up enough pressure you could pee on them (hint: DIY).
I was known to do that with frozen car door locks in my impecunious
student days.

Did you get the owner's permission before 'helping out' in this way?
Did the Magistrate accept your defence?

:-) These were only my own locks - but perhaps I missed an opportunity
for a start-up service industry
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

In article <slrn10lupim.3j0.${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme- dot-com-i@vm46.home.jusme.com>, ${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at- jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com says...

On 2026-01-07, Simon Simple <nothanks@nottoday.co.uk> wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but >> 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you >> have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

Nothing wrong with tepid or warmish water, been using it for decades. (Never tried boiling water on account of not being an imbecile.)

"Cold" water from the tap is warm enough to clear the ice (possibly with several applications is it's thick).

I expect some people see kettles being used to "water the windscreen"
and assume kettle = boiling water, where in fact the kettle is probably
the only large jug to hand...

I use ziplock plastic bags of hot water for the screen, it would
probably work for the jets.
--
Jim the Geordie
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers

Dave R

not seen any mention in here of any brand or recipe for any sort of anti freeze screen wash ?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 08/01/2026 12:50, Abandoned Trolley wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you
have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

not seen any mention in here of any brand or recipe for any sort of anti freeze screen wash ?

The problem with anti-freeze screen wash is that it is alcohol based and
once it gets to the nozzle it evaporates and lowers the temperature by
10-#C. Esp. in a wind or when driving at speed.
--
rCLPolitics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.rCY
rCo Groucho Marx

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

The problem with anti-freeze screen wash is that it is alcohol based and once it gets to the nozzle it evaporates and lowers the temperature by 10-#C. Esp. in a wind or when driving at speed.

I've used the same VW screenwash for about 15 years, it's about 80%
alcohol, recommended mixture is 1:1 which is overkill for this country
down to -40-#C, this time of year I generally use it 2:1, it's never
frozen after leaving the jets ...


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 08/01/2026 13:45, Andy Burns wrote:

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

The problem with anti-freeze screen wash is that it is alcohol based
and once it gets to the nozzle it evaporates and lowers the
temperature by 10-#C. Esp. in a wind or when driving at speed.

I've used the same VW screenwash for about 15 years, it's about 80%
alcohol, recommended mixture is 1:1 which is overkill for this country
down to -40-#C, this time of year I generally use it 2:1, it's never
frozen after leaving the jets ...

No. It's the jets that freeze...
--
Future generations will wonder in bemused amazement that the early twenty-first centuryrCOs developed world went into hysterical panic over a globally average temperature increase of a few tenths of a degree, and,
on the basis of gross exaggerations of highly uncertain computer
projections combined into implausible chains of inference, proceeded to contemplate a rollback of the industrial age.

Richard Lindzen

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 08/01/2026 13:01, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 08/01/2026 12:50, Abandoned Trolley wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature,
but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water
(if you
have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

not seen any mention in here of any brand or recipe for any sort of
anti freeze screen wash ?

The problem with anti-freeze screen wash is that it is alcohol based and once it gets to the nozzle it evaporates and lowers the temperature by 10-#C. Esp. in a wind or when driving at speed.

My car lets the screen-wash drain back into its container between uses.
This does result in a delay of about 1 second between activating it and anything coming out, but it overcomes the freezing problem (so far).
John

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 08/01/2026 12:11, Jim the Geordie wrote:

In article <slrn10lupim.3j0.${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at-jusme- dot-com-i@vm46.home.jusme.com>, ${send-direct-email-to-news1021-at- jusme-dot-com-if-you-must}@jusme.com says...

On 2026-01-07, Simon Simple <nothanks@nottoday.co.uk> wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but >>>> 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet >>>> was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the >>>> risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you >>>> have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

Nothing wrong with tepid or warmish water, been using it for decades.
(Never tried boiling water on account of not being an imbecile.)

"Cold" water from the tap is warm enough to clear the ice (possibly with
several applications is it's thick).

I expect some people see kettles being used to "water the windscreen"
and assume kettle = boiling water, where in fact the kettle is probably
the only large jug to hand...

I use ziplock plastic bags of hot water for the screen, it would
probably work for the jets.

I suppose the advantage or your method would be not having to take the
kettle back to the kitchen afterwards.
(Failure to do this might lead to domestic disputes).
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 07/01/2026 15:00, Jethro_uk wrote:

On Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:31:11 +0000, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature,
but 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the
bonnet was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Some cars have heated pipes ....

Some cars have heated jets. Mine does and they're a godsend in this weather. --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 08/01/2026 14:33, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 08/01/2026 13:45, Andy Burns wrote:

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

The problem with anti-freeze screen wash is that it is alcohol based
and once it gets to the nozzle it evaporates and lowers the
temperature by 10-#C. Esp. in a wind or when driving at speed.

I've used the same VW screenwash for about 15 years, it's about 80%
alcohol, recommended mixture is 1:1 which is overkill for this country
down to -40-#C, this time of year I generally use it 2:1, it's never
frozen after leaving the jets ...

No. It's the jets that freeze...

And blows off some of the pipework lower down.
Last year my ex-MOT-tester neighbour had to fix up a couple
of cars where this had happened. One needed a new pump unit
which was hidden under the front wheelarch and a sod to get
at.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Abandoned Trolley <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you >> have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

not seen any mention in here of any brand or recipe for any sort of anti freeze screen wash ?

Possibly because once your nozzles are frozen, yourCOve left it too late! ;-)

Personally I would recommend steering clear of any supermarket stuff thatrCOs only good to -5-#C. Even stuff supposedly good to -10-# can freeze on
contact with a cold screen. I use stuff rated to -20-# as my default in the colder months.

Tim
--
Please don't feed the trolls
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Wed, 7 Jan 2026 16:19:45 +0000, No mail <nomail@aolbin.com> wrote:

David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but
45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you >> have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

If you can work-up enough pressure you could pee on them (hint: DIY). I
was known to do that with frozen car door locks in my impecunious
student days.

Not sure that idea ever occurred to me, heating the key with my
cigarette lighter worked fine.
--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:50:38 +0000, Abandoned Trolley wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature,
but 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the
bonnet was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if
you have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

<snip>

not seen any mention in here of any brand or recipe for any sort of anti freeze screen wash ?

The washer jets are in an area between the bottom of the screen and the
rear edge of the bonnet.
This whole area was filled with ice from melted and refrozen snow.
So a washer jet, even a heated one, had no chance at all.

The engine compartment seems well insulated.
There was still snow on the bonnet when we arrived home after about an
hour's drive.
So not a lot of chance of engine heat melting large accumulations of ice.

I have vague memories of cigar lighter tine fan heaters for allegedly defrosting windscreens but I don't recall any being effective.

Cordless hot air gun?
Could use existing batteries if compatible.

Interesting challenge.

Cheers



Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 09/01/2026 10:37, Tim+ wrote:

Abandoned Trolley <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

On 07/01/2026 14:31, David wrote:

Very cold yesterday morning.

The washers were frozen up and covered in ice.
Now usually I expect them to thaw after the car is up to temperature, but >>> 45 minutes later the bottom of the windscreen and down under the bonnet
was still solid ice.

I am told you shouldn't pour hot water on the windscreen because of the
risk of stress cracking, but it seems reasonable to pour hot water (if you >>> have it) down into this ice packed gap.

Does this seem reasonable?

Any other suggestions?
Perhaps pouring neat windscreen washer fluid?
Salt might be a bit vicious.

Cheers



Dave R

not seen any mention in here of any brand or recipe for any sort of anti
freeze screen wash ?

Possibly because once your nozzles are frozen, yourCOve left it too late! ;-)

Personally I would recommend steering clear of any supermarket stuff thatrCOs only good to -5-#C. Even stuff supposedly good to -10-# can freeze on contact with a cold screen. I use stuff rated to -20-# as my default in the colder months.

And... buy it before the cold weather sets in. It will have sold out by
the time you need it.
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2