W222 S Class 2015 magic windscreen washer system

Dismantling, cleaning.
Firstly there is no need to remove the wheel or wheel arch cover or the bumper – god knows where they get this idea from - This info is just wrong for the W222 2015 with heated washer system with magic wash.
The job is fairly straight forward, but a bit fiddly. Once done, I could repeat the removal & replacement in about half an hour, usual range of tools required including Torx, hose clip pliers, 10mm socket.
There are two lines to the wipers from the pump – supply and return. Therefore the two magic wash wipers have a common supply. If there is some water arriving at the wipers, it is likely that the pump is ok and the pump filter is blocked in the tank as it has very small holes and these get blocked by stuff that grows in the tank fluid. (There may also be another filter within the white connector connecting the two pipes as they enter on the pump, or a least a none return valve which may cause issues I have seen this on a few different vehicles.)

The washer tank unit comes out whole, with the pump (only one pump on mine towards the outside of vehicle low down, there is a position for another pump used I believe for headlight washer system if fitted). The radiator header tank has to come loose too and lifted away as it has lower fixing points that are used by the washer tank. Once washer tank lifted, the electrical connections and the pump can be removed (see pics in link post)
Dealer rip off - they quoted £500 for this job and it takes half an hour!

Detail:

Removal

1. Remove covers under bonnet above the washer tank and radiator header tank
2. Remove the bolts holding both the radiator header tank (top one only) and the two washer bottle system (top and front lower side)
3. Remove the header tank pipe at top, this has a clip that must be prised UP to allow pipe removal, which is best done with a plastic prise tool used for plastic clips. Carefully prise off the lower larger pipe that fits into a cleat on the washer tank at bottom (so that it does not get in the way)
4. Remove the header tank electric connection
5. Remove the two heater pipes (ideally need special tool for the spring clips but can be done with pliers, one replaced with a standard screw clip). To help get the pipes off, prise the rubber away a little with a thin screwdriver.
6. Remove air intake front plastic unit – this just pulls away, there are no fixings, move away to provide room for next op.
7. Remove the lower front bolt holding the washer tank (not a lot of room)
8. Lift up the header tank, this needs to be held up out of the way, use strap connected to the nearside bonnet mechanism. (Fluid may leak from header tank connectors, requires topping up after completion, maybe clamp the pliable ones?)
9. The washer tank can now be lifted up, it is held by round rubber plug lower fitting which may require a bit of jiggering to lift.
10. Once lifted, the two electrical connectors can be removed (pump and sensor)
11. Remove the pump carefully by prising up the pump, watch the pump connections as they will need to be manoeuvred over the housing as the pump moves up. There is no need to remove the pump pipe connections if the pump does not require changing.
12. Wash out the washer tank and prise out the pump plastic filter, this was completely blocked and caused the issue I had.
13. Top up header tank


Replacing:
Just reverse the above, except watch:
The pump connectors must angle up when replacing pump
Maybe use some grease on the pump fitting into the filter to prevent leaks
The front lower bolt is tricky as the tank housing catches (the washer tank fitting hole) on the nut connector fitting which is proud inside. I removed the nut fitting and used a plastic tie instead.
Otherwise pretty easy to refit, be careful to press the tank into position neatly as there is little room.

For Pics: see post on:
http://www.commonsensethinking.co.uk/w222washer.html

 

Has anyone taken out their washer tank? I'm at step 9, I've pulled up and freed the "round rubber plug lower fitting", but there's something else holding the tank from the underside. Any suggestions what it might be?

 

See attachment.

 

Thanks! Out of curiousity, what does the 'expansion rivet' (# 2) connect to exactly? I see it goes through the fender liner and into something on the other side ...

 

For the record, the 'expansion rivet' goes into the washer tank! Taking out the two visible 10 mm bolts makes the tank loose and it seems like it will come out but the ^&*%*&$ rivet must still be removed.

Also, please note the so-called grommet that seats the pump inlet into the tank is actually a filter and should be replaced. The openings are tiny, so easily clogged.

And now back to our regular programming!

 

Damn, I haven’t thought about cleaning a washer tank since I had an old BMW 525, the last car before I went Mercedes!

 

The little pump on mine burned out, have never had to touch one of these before now ...

 

Mine stopped spraying when the car was under warranty, the dealer said the cleaned the tank and new filters ect. It took them 30 minutes. Now that the car is out of warranty I fear I'm going to have to do it again at some point. Thank you for the write up!

 

And here's the little grommet/filter ... $0.39! Still have to pull the tank out to get to it!

https://www.emercedesbenzparts.com/o...QtN2wtdjgtZ2Fz

 

Just had to do this, my notes:
You do not need to disconnect any coolant lines, the heat exchanger is just a lid that pulls up
The second pump will be on night vision equipped cars
On the V12 I had to remove the right intake w/ filter to be able to remove bottle
If I have to do this again I would not remove the bottle but rather just loosen it, remove the grommets to clean, remove the heat exchanger lid and use a hose wash it out

 

Thanks for this. Just performed this procedure on my S350d (2016) and it works perfectly!
Again.. Thanks for taking the time to document so well. 👍