I've just had to sort out the screen wash pump on my wife's car - I'd only replaced the pump a month or so ago so I was annoyed, to say the least...

Took the pump out (after removing the wheel and the wheel-arch trim) and the inlet filter had a 5mm coating of a jelly-like goo. I've cleaned that off, flushed out the tank with water and detergent, refilled it and now all is working again.

But has anyone got any idea why it happened? The car is about 7 years old and has only ever had proper screen-wash fluid in it. My own car's a little older but it's never had a problem like that.

cheers,
David

You can sometimes get this if you change the brand or type of screen wash. Can't think of any other reason though.

Chris has it - I'm told some of the screen washes are detergent based, which creates the gloop when you then use a different one that isn't - much like if you try and use fairy liquid in your washer bottle.