Washer fluid smells FOUL

[David F]

My wife's Golf has not had much use over the last few months, but when we used it yesterday there was a foul smell ( think dead animals .... ). We tracked it down to using the windscreen washers. Seems the fluid has gone bad.
I've been unable to snake a small diameter hose past all the bends in the washer bottle filler to suck it empty. I'm loath to run the washers for more than say 30 seconds at a time in case I burn the pumps out. Once I get it empty I've got doubts the smell will go away - there has to be something BAD growing down there!.
I had been using Bars , but also used some of the genuine VW product when a nearly full bottle was left in the Tig.

Anyone see this before?

[Transporter]

Yes, it happens in my daughter's MK5 as well, after that she just used the w/washer more frequently.

Just put the garden hose in the w/washer bottle and let it run for 5 minutes.

[David F]

Yes, it happens in my daughter's MK5 as well, after that she just used the w/washer more frequently.

Just put the garden hose in the w/washer bottle and let it run for 5 minutes.

With the number of bends between the filler and the bottle I'd not have thought that would do much to flush out the "gunge". I will try to flush it out - might be able to get some 6 mm dripper line past a few of the bends ...

Any thoughts on the VW genuine fluid vs the Bars product?

[Transporter]

It did work for me. The genuine VW w/fluid is not expensive and is alcohol based, so I guess it will stay fresh for longer and will control better bacteria growth.