Wiper Fluid in Water lines

Question

All right, I was an idiot and accidentally put wiper fluid in my potable water lines during the winter. I checked, and it does have methanol in it. I have a pop-up trailer with a water tank below, a water heater, water pump, and then lines to an outdoor shower and a faucet inside.

There is an obvious wiper fluid smell coming from the water. I have flushed the system 9 or 10 times by filling up the water tank with fresh water and running it through the whole system. I've run a flush with some vinegar solution as well as a bleach flush. The smell has definitely gotten less, but I can still smell the chemicals.

Am I totally screwed or is there a way to save my water system from having to be completely replaced?

stircrazy · Answer

your going to need to sanitize your system.&nbsp; you can do a mix of 100% bleach (1/4 cup per every 15 gal) fill everything up including your lines and let it sit for 12 hours, then drain and rince till the bleach taste is gone, or I dont use bleach any more I use Capt Phab purge tank clenser.&nbsp; its costs more than bleach but the time it saves me I find valuable.&nbsp; it disenfects and cleans but you only have to rinse once, instead of 10 times to get rid of the bleach taste.&nbsp;&nbsp;

bid_time · Answer

Mixing household bleach with methanol can produce methyl hypochlorite, and may generate toxic gases such as chloroform, hydrochloric acid, chloroacetone, and dichloroacetone.

in my opinion your best bet is time. Blow out the system completely of every last possible trace of liquid. Methanol will evaporate rather quickly, heat will help that process.

Forum Discussion

Wiper Fluid in Water lines

2 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

DEF fluid

Water Pump

Camper black water tank fluid heats up

Wiper blades

Tranny fluid change