Smell of rotten eggs

[NIL98]

Every time I start my Cayenne S the cabin is filled with the smell of rotten eggs. At first I presumed it was from the catalytic converter gasses somehow getting into the car but I've just sussed it - its the windscreen washer fluid!! When its used the smell just comes through the air vents.

Ive tried draining the bottle and flushing with plain water, even tried changing the fluid to a different brand, but the problem has just returned. My Indy service people say it is probably a chemical reaction between different brands of fluid??

Anyone come across it before? Is there a solution? Its a tad embaressing when Im ferrying clients and colleagues about.
Regards
Neil

 

[garyw]

I had the same issue with my van, took ages to suss out what it was...[&:]

Eventually drained and washed out the bottle by removing the pump- which was easily accessable thank goodness..

Only Porsche supplied stuff goes in my car...


garyw

 

[Gander101]

Neil ...... Never had the problem with the Cayenne, but did with a previous Jeep. As per Garyw, you'll need to flush the system.

Mine smelt more like cats by the way!!![]

 

[Fred Hindle]

Does anyone know which windscreen washer fluid smells a bit like antifreeze? Most new cars seem to have it but I've never found the one that is used.

Cheers,

 

[david_yorkshire]

I only use the Porsche stuff - came with the car, and I still have it ! 100:1 mixed.

apparently, Milton fluid can be used to kill the bugs that create the smell.
David

 

[JB 3.2]

Rotten egg smell is usually associated with the presence of Hydrogen Sulphide gas, very poisonous in confined conditions. The bacteria which are liberating the gas appear to be present in the water bottle and associated pipe work and need to be removed.

Cleaning followed by the Milton sterilizing solution as already mentioned should help and possibly a small quantity of alcohol such as IPA or methylated spirits added to the screen wash may be beneficial .

 

[NIL98]

ORIGINAL: JB 3.2

Rotten egg smell is usually associated with the presence of Hydrogen Sulphide gas, very poisonous in confined conditions.  The bacteria which are liberating the gas appear to be present in the water bottle and associated pipe work and need to be removed.   

Cleaning followed by the Milton sterilizing solution as already mentioned should help and possibly a small quantity of alcohol such as IPA or methylated spirits added to the screen wash may be beneficial .

Thanks I'll try that. Ive already tried flushing with plain water and the porsche stuff is no different.

 

[Brian RS]

Great tip; had same problem which was cured with a dash of meths. Was reluctant at first to waste meths as it tends to taste better than our local IPA.

 

[zcacogp]

Had the same problem with my 944.

Drain the existing fluid from the tank (or squirt it all out through the washer jets if you can stand the smell!) and refill with clean water and some screen wash concentrate, and drop in a miltons tablet.

All will smell sweeter than a baby's bum within a day or so.


Oli.

 

[tiskev]

Next time you are in france buy some of the window cleaner Ajax or Suoermarket own brand (blue)
around one euro a bottle.It contains alcohol and one bottle to 4/5 litres water works very well Does
not freeze or smell or rotten eggs.I usually give it a squirt or two of WUL.Cheaper than Meths

 

[mart]

to much washer fluid, try a cap of Detol to the water.

 

[RumBandA]

I was informed that the smell of rotten eggs can also be caused by a build-up of a bacteria in water around AC system... the condensate is not draining properly or forming pools of water. I had this issue in a previous car ... an X5)