Slime growing in the windshield washer reservoir - Anyone have this problem before?

[radcon]

It's quite ridiculous that I've gone without windshield washers for almost two years now. I replaced the pump a while back after the washers quit working. After that, they still didn't work. I figured that one of the lick check valves somewhere in the tubing must be stuck. Never got around to doing more than just pulling apart a connection hear and there and seeing if I could get it to pump. Today I was determined to get it to work and unscrewed the cap from the top of the reservoir and pulled out the suction tube. Yummy - the end of the suction tube was covered in this slimy substance. Looked like some kind of algae or something, but how could this stuff grow in washer fluid. Maybe some weird kind of chemical reaction produced this gunk. Flushed out the little strainer and I'm back in business, but is there anyway to prevent a repeat?

[Hugh R]

Never heard of algae (that's what I'm assuming it is) growing in a washer bottle, but I would think that using regular washer fluid you shouldn't have a repeat problem. It has alcohol to prevent freezing, and that should be an effective algacide.

[avendlerdp]

Yes! I had the same problem. I cleaned it out and put a spoon of bleach in there. Kills everything. Not too much cause I guess it could be bad for paint.

Alex

[Victor]

Maybe pop a catfish or two in there. Works for the fish tank.