tuffcalc

Hi all,

Our windshield washer tank has been replaced twice this month by Mercedes. It is leaking again (one day after picking it up from the dealer) - so it looks like it will be replaced the third time.

This is becoming a huge hassle. I noticed this seems to be a common problem - but three times in a month seems excessive. Does anyone have any tips to end this mess?

Below is what was put on the latest service invoice:

31931 WAHER FLUID TANK DEFORMED AND LEAKING AT WASHER HEATER PORT.
FILLED WASHER FLUID AND CHECKED FOR LEAKS AFTER SOME TIME FOUND DRIPS
ON THE FLOOR, REMOVED LEFT FRONT WHEEL, REMOVED FENDER LINER AND FOUND
LEAK AT WASHER FLUID HEATER CAP TO THE RESERVOIR. REMOVED RESERVOIR AND
INSPECTED AND FOUND RESERVOIR NECK FOR WASHER HEATER WAS DEFORMED.
REPLACED TANK AND SEALS FILLED UP WASHER FLUID. INSPECTED FOR LEAKS AND
(N/C)
(N/C)
0.00
NONE FOUND.
* * *

1 204-869-09-20-28 DASH POT
1 230-869-01-98 SEAL
1 000-998-99-01 GROMMET
1 010-997-11-81 GROMMET
827200 WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR REPLACE

bop11

When you take it in for #4, and you probably will, get them to replace the whole heater assembly and control. The heater is either shorted or the thermistor is defective and it is not controlling the heater temp. That the unit is deformed means it is not a tank defect. There may be a shorted power transistor, they normally fail in the conductive mode, short rather than open, or another bad component in the control. With a shorted control the heater just stays on all the time. It has to have enough wattage to keep the fluid warm in the winter, but turn off in the summer.

benzmodz

??????

The washer fluid is heated via a loop of pipe which runs from the engine to the radiator. It uses the same pipes as the internal heater for the interior which also runs on hot water.

I have never seen an electric heater for the washer bottle in a Mercedes.

N91K

I had the same problem with it leaking but I replaced it recently.

GLKKa2H

A thread on a German forum reports a number of cases. One owner with three replacements (time frame not known) and one poster with two cases in one year time frame.

Some owners report crack in the reservoir being the culprit, and another reports deformed "opening", supposedly being bad workmanship.

One poster claims that the tank is redesigned.

So it depends, what was reported with regard to the first replacement of the washer tank of your GLK, and given the design of the tank is revised; is the replacement(s) the modified version?

GLKKa2H

And for the time being, seems the reports with regard to engine coolant leaking into the windshield washer fluid, have silenced.

bop11

Mea Culpa, I was thinking about the heated nozzles on the Rover. When distortion was mentioned I figured that engine coolant should not get hot enough to distort the tank. I know there is an after-market electric heater but not applicable here.
Having spent several years in Injection molding of blower wheels for Chrysler and GM, I know a bad setup on an injection molding machine can cause poor knit lines where two fronts of molten plastic meet. This causes the part to easily crack but not distortion. I'm not sure if these tanks are injection molded or rotational molded (RIM) or what, but maybe your dealer got a set of tanks from a bad lot.
Could there be a different problem such as an exhaust leak that blows hot exhaust onto the tank
Heater pipes are #7 in picture.

tuffcalc

Just had it in for repairs for the third time... this is what the invoice says... let's hope it is actually fixed this time:

A C/S: REPORT FOR WASHER FLUID LEAK FROM DRIVER FRONT AREA - REPEAT
CONCERNS CAUSE: AM
821016 MALFUNCTION DIAGNOSIS ON WINDSHIELD WASHERS DETERMINE
PAGE 1
359 WW 0.30 (N/C) 1 230-869-01-98 SEAL (N/C) 1 251-835-01-39 CAP (N/C) MISSISSAUGA
1 204-830-01-61 HEAT EXCHANGER (N/C)
827200 WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR REPLACE
359 WW 0.70 (N/C)
827215 EXTRA WORK FOR: RESERVOIR OF WASHER SYSTEM FOR WINDSHIELD REMOVE/INSTALL VEH WITH HEAT WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM
359 WW 0.10 (N/C) 827245 WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM HEATER CORE
REPLACE (AFTER CHECK)
359 WW 0.80 (N/C)
FC: PART#: COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE:
AUTH CODE: 086011047
PARTS: 0.00 LABOR: 0.00 OTHER: 0.00 TOTAL LINE A: 0.00 32510 REPLACED HEATER EXCHANGE AND CAP WITH NEW UPDATED PARTS.
CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND AFTER SOME TIME OF FILLING WASHER FLUID FOUND LEAK AT LEFT FRONT AREA. REMOVED LEFT FRONT WHEEL, REMOVED FENDER LINER AND FOUND LEAK AT WASHER FLUID HEATER. CHECKED TIPS DOCUMENTS AND FOUND
TOPIC NUMBER GI.82.35-P-050740. REPLACED NEW UPDATED HEATER CAP AND HEATER EXCHANGE AS PER TIPS CASE. TOPPED UP COOLANT SYSTEM AND WASHER FLUID. BLED COOLING SYSTEM. TEST DROVE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND NONE FOUND.

hceptj

I've had it changed twice in two years...just started leaking again this weekend...maybe MB should just add it in as required service along with oil changes, etc.

I'm going to print out this tuffcalc, hopefully it will be the last...thanks

tuffcalc

Let us know how it goes. Our GLK is leak free for the last two weeks so far. Fingers crossed...

PHML

im in the same boat, got my first leak tonight...will call for servicing tomorrow.

tuffcalc

My GLK washer reservoir is leaking again. 4th time this year. Car is just out of warranty so I needed to kick it up to Mercedes Corporate. They have asked me to bring in the car to assess.

What a waste of time!

PHML

Wow...that sucks...4 times, huh? I'd be PO'd after #2. good luck!!