jayrawk

Hey guys, I noticed I was losing coolant and had no leaks. Recently I was thinking it’s coming from my washer fluid, when I used the windshield I can see some coolant stains.

what I did was drain my washer fluid and refilled my coolant reservoir and exactly what I thought, after a short drive it filled the washer fluid reservoir. I believe it’s the heating element I need to replace but anybody know if this can be fixed without replacing the whole unit?

I believe this is the part?

https://www.mbpartsource.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-heater-element-222830006164?c=Zz1lbGVjdHJpY2FsJnM9d2lwZXJzJmw9MSZ uPVNlYXJjaCBSZXN1bHRzJmE9bWVyY2VkZXMtYmVueiZvPXM1N TAmeT0yMDE0JnQ9YmFzZSZlPTQtN2wtdjgtZ2Fz

thanks a lot!

Tom in Austin

Yes, the heating element in the washer reservoir can easily be changed with just a little wiggling and jiggiling to get it up and out of the tank.

IIRC, there are just hose clamps on the element atop the cap.

jayrawk

Thanks, Tom! I just ordered the OEM part from AutoHausaz, should arrive in a day or 2. Looks like the center screw was loose and coolant was squirting out of it and I also noticed a crack (circled in blue pic below). Hopefully this solves the problem, I don't see the coolant getting there any other way except for the heating element.

Does the heating element function and heat up the windshield washer reservoir fluid even when I don't use the wipers?

Tom in Austin

Yes, engine coolant going through that element heats the windshield washer fluid.

VII

Would recommend coolant flush (is your coolant not red?) and coolant reservoir replacement to go back to 15yr interval.

jayrawk

Yeah for my model w222 2014, the dealer puts blue coolant not the red one (not sure why but I have seen 2015 and up with red). The filter is different too, its the full skinny cylinder shape vs the shorter thick filter with triangle part sticking out.