SL/R230: Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir; Leak
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir; Leak
2007 R230.
When I attempt to fill the windshield washer reservoir, a certain amount of fluid appears to go in the reservoir, but then fluid starts spilling out from beneath the undercarriage pan. I don't know how the reservoir is constructed and it's impossible to see without removing the wheel well liners. Anybody got a suggestion as to why the reservoir can't be filled without prematurely overflowing?
Obviously there's a leak ... but is there a known weak point in the system?
Remedy?
When I attempt to fill the windshield washer reservoir, a certain amount of fluid appears to go in the reservoir, but then fluid starts spilling out from beneath the undercarriage pan. I don't know how the reservoir is constructed and it's impossible to see without removing the wheel well liners. Anybody got a suggestion as to why the reservoir can't be filled without prematurely overflowing?
Obviously there's a leak ... but is there a known weak point in the system?
Remedy?
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
It could be one of several things. First, the filler neck is separate from the reservoir and is connected via a rubber grommet. It could have become detached. The reservoir itself could be cracked and leaking. The pumps attach through holes in the reservoir sealed with rubber grommets. These grommets could be bad. Finally, it can also be a bad pump (cracked and leaking).
The best bet is to lift the vehicle and remove the wheel and fender liner extension to access all of this. The pump and grommets are fairly inexpensive, even a whole new reservoir is not too pricey.
The best bet is to lift the vehicle and remove the wheel and fender liner extension to access all of this. The pump and grommets are fairly inexpensive, even a whole new reservoir is not too pricey.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 355
Likes: 41
From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
Heatwave!
I have the same problem with mine but it holds plenty of fluid without me trying to really get into it. I'll bet it is a filler neck to reservoir leak as mentioned by Rudeney above. I cannot prove that but it makes real good sense to me and I had wondered about the filler neck attachment and if it were a one or two piece deal. Mine holds plenty enough water to keep the warning light off.
moretech
I have the same problem with mine but it holds plenty of fluid without me trying to really get into it. I'll bet it is a filler neck to reservoir leak as mentioned by Rudeney above. I cannot prove that but it makes real good sense to me and I had wondered about the filler neck attachment and if it were a one or two piece deal. Mine holds plenty enough water to keep the warning light off.
moretech
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Moretech: My tank situation must be similar to yours. Some washer fluid ... maybe a quart or more ... is staying in the tank. The Low Fluid light has never come on. But it looks like maybe a quart ends up on the garage floor. I'm gonna order a replacement tank and all the trimmings. If one part of the rig is bad, the others can't be too good. When warmer weather is here to stay in a coupla months, I'll take off the wheel and fender liner and find some threads to strip, etc.
Many thanks for your response.
Many thanks for your response.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 355
Likes: 41
From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
If you can take a pic or two and post them whenever you do the job. It'd sure be helpful to other members besides me. I am real curious about that filler tube connector to the main body. thanks very much.
moretech
moretech
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Moretech: I'll try taking pix of the work. My limited experience with the camera: I always have so much oil and grease, plus dirt, grit, and general crap on my hands that handling the camera while working is problematic. I'll ask my Superwoman to help with the camera.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
As Rudeney indicated, there are a few places on the tank (stress risers at mounts, etc) that look like likely suspects for a break AND, the tank is very inexpensive (less than $60) A2308690020
http://www.mbdirectparts.com/oe-merc...enz/2308690020
here is a picture of one that might shed some light.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/142095372758?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
hope that helps,
Chris
http://www.mbdirectparts.com/oe-merc...enz/2308690020
here is a picture of one that might shed some light.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/142095372758?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
hope that helps,
Chris
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
I was looking up something in the Mercedes WIS this morning and "R&R washer reservoir" was included in my search results ... so I thought I'd Post a PDF in case you guys have not gotten to pulling them out yet.
Hope this helps,
Chris
Hope this helps,
Chris
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 355
Likes: 41
From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
Chris,
Great job on above post. Definitely a bit more complex than one might at 1st think,--- heated system. I never think about that feature as I have never needed to know if it works. thanks again.
moretech
Great job on above post. Definitely a bit more complex than one might at 1st think,--- heated system. I never think about that feature as I have never needed to know if it works. thanks again.
moretech
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Just a guess based on a review of the .pdf Latemodel21 generously posted for us: the washer fluid leaking I am experiencing probably occurs at the top of the reservoir where the "connecting pipe" joins the reservoir. The "low washer fluid" warning light has never appeared on the dashboard; I take that as a sign that the reservoir is not leaking out.
But ... why does a washer fluid reservoir have to be so complex?
I'm so old, I've had cars that had washer fluid "tanks" that were nothing more than rubber bags attached to the engine-bay side of a front fender. Worked.
But ... why does a washer fluid reservoir have to be so complex?
I'm so old, I've had cars that had washer fluid "tanks" that were nothing more than rubber bags attached to the engine-bay side of a front fender. Worked.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Removing the fender liner should allow you to observe how full the tank can be without leaking - which should indicate where the leak is (filler tube, grommet for pump, crack in bottle itself, etc). The R & R document refers to grommets, etc that should be inspected/replaced
"Check rubber grommets on windshield washer fluid pump (M5/1) and
HCS (SRA) pump (M5/2), replace if necessary. "
Hope that helps,
Chris
P.s.
as to the gratuitous complexity of the bottle ... it does maximize otherwise unused space to provide a longish-term supply of not-frozen windshield cleaning fluid. And ... they did not fail much during the warranty period making it a design success by Mercedes standards : )
by contrast to vehicles of old ... my 65 GTO (I bought when I was 15) had so much room in the engine compartment, you could nearly sit inside while adjusting the carburetors .... AND yet, it did not have a windshield washer bottle because it did not have squirters (an option the original purchaser passed on)
"Check rubber grommets on windshield washer fluid pump (M5/1) and
HCS (SRA) pump (M5/2), replace if necessary. "
Hope that helps,
Chris
P.s.
as to the gratuitous complexity of the bottle ... it does maximize otherwise unused space to provide a longish-term supply of not-frozen windshield cleaning fluid. And ... they did not fail much during the warranty period making it a design success by Mercedes standards : )
by contrast to vehicles of old ... my 65 GTO (I bought when I was 15) had so much room in the engine compartment, you could nearly sit inside while adjusting the carburetors .... AND yet, it did not have a windshield washer bottle because it did not have squirters (an option the original purchaser passed on)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Just a guess based on a review of the .pdf Latemodel21 generously posted for us: the washer fluid leaking I am experiencing probably occurs at the top of the reservoir where the "connecting pipe" joins the reservoir. The "low washer fluid" warning light has never appeared on the dashboard; I take that as a sign that the reservoir is not leaking out.
But ... why does a washer fluid reservoir have to be so complex?
I'm so old, I've had cars that had washer fluid "tanks" that were nothing more than rubber bags attached to the engine-bay side of a front fender. Worked.
But ... why does a washer fluid reservoir have to be so complex?
I'm so old, I've had cars that had washer fluid "tanks" that were nothing more than rubber bags attached to the engine-bay side of a front fender. Worked.
I just re-read your post and it makes sense that if you never get a low fluid light that the leak is at or above the sensor ... so the connector from the tank to the filler pipe would be the number one suspect (#110 in drawing, A230 869 01 17 ), or, there is a gasket between the filler tube and the connector (#115, A230 869 0098) and the level switch has a grommet (#100, A230 997 1981).
hope that helps
Chris
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
sl500
2006 windshield washer reservoir leaking
After filling my windshield washer reservoir, some NOT all of the fluid will leak out from underneath. I cannot see where it is leaking and the low fluid light will go out when I fill the reservoir but quickly comes on after it somewhat drains. Not all of the fluid drains. I currently just keep the fluid low, which causes the indicator light to be on. Any thoughts where to start first?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
After filling my windshield washer reservoir, some NOT all of the fluid will leak out from underneath. I cannot see where it is leaking and the low fluid light will go out when I fill the reservoir but quickly comes on after it somewhat drains. Not all of the fluid drains. I currently just keep the fluid low, which causes the indicator light to be on. Any thoughts where to start first?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
The reservoir in my W113 is real hybrid. Shaped like a bag but in fact made of hard-ish plastic. 1966 electric pump just pumps, and pumps. Built to last.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
I just replaced a windshield washer pump in my SL. It did not work at all, and on top of this, the fluid leaked when I tried to top off the tank. So I removed the tank. I totally do not believe that it can be done per the WIS above. There is no way to pull the pumps up as directed in the step 3. I also did not disconnect coolant hoses. First I opened the cap with heater hoses, so the heater was loose inside the tank. After that I just removed the entire tank with all attached stuff. Then pulled off hoses leading to the windshield and front bumper. Then wiggled the heater out of the tank (be careful not to sheer off the level switch inside). If you need to disconnect pump connectors - put small screwdriver into the opening on the side of the connector and push the handle up, tip will press down and away on the tab inside disengaging it. To make the job easier start by backing off two screws holding black grill in the right front fender. No need to remove the grill itself, it is just that these screws protrude inside and get in the way. I am not sure if leak was from the filler tube connection or from heating tubes' seals, but either way it is only possible when tank is completely full. Hope it helps someone. Pump was $10 (not a genuine MBZ). Should have also ordered filler tube and grommet mentioned in one of the posts.
Still not working
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
Windshield washers and headlight washers are fed by two different pumps. Make sure that you replaced the correct one. Start by listening if pump even runs when you turn on the washer.
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 4
Mercedes
Follow-up question on the O-rings ...
I just re-read your post and it makes sense that if you never get a low fluid light that the leak is at or above the sensor ... so the connector from the tank to the filler pipe would be the number one suspect (#110 in drawing, A230 869 01 17 ), or, there is a gasket between the filler tube and the connector (#115, A230 869 0098) and the level switch has a grommet (#100, A230 997 1981).
After inspecting the pipe, I found that there was no O-ring in the joint (where it went, I have no idea), so I assumed that was the culprit. I ordered one from the dealer thinking that would be it. The foam gasket looks very flimsy and came with some creases in it. I cannot see how this setup would be water tight, but okay, I installed it (fighting the urge to use silicone to seal it). After re-assembly, the pipe area leaked exactly as before.
During this effort, I did not pull the entire accordion hose (#110 in diagram, PN A230 869 01 17) all the way out of the tank since I did not know how it seals itself to the tank (it seemed awfully loose). So my question is, does part #110 seal to the tank with a simple O-ring, or is there more to the joint to make it water tight? It seems very poorly designed.
Thanks,
Robert
PS: I have included photos of the gasket for anyone who reads this, in case they want to make their own to improve on what the dealer offers.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2012 SL65
Sorry to revisit this thread but searching for windshield washer problems keeps bringing me to this thread. My 2012 SL63 AMG has been sitting for 5-8 months thanks to this covid *****. Yesterday being a beautiful day I deceided to start it up and check things out. As soon as I put the key into the switch the washer started pumping spraying fluid all over. The engine started OK but the washer kept pumping until it was empty and still kept pumping. Some troubleshooting showed the battery in the trunk was dead. I replaced it today and am still having all kind of problems, mainly the washer pump running along with lights being on, windows not working properly etc. Any ideas? I pulled the fuse in the engine compartment (f14 7.5 amp) and it kept running. I must note that inside the fuse box was wet which I dried the best I could and blew it out with air. Is there anything else on that side of the car that could be what I'm hearing? Under the battery.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
2007 R230 sl550
In the diagram above what is 230, 900, 901 on the hose attached to the pump?
Mine didn't have it and I see some dried washer fluid at the resulting hole near the pump. I am guessing some sort of pressure release drain that opens with no pressure allowing fluid to drain from nozzle hose but closes when the pump is on to force fluid to nozzles.
Thinking my valve (if it is one) may leak slowly draining the tank?
The front headlight washers may also be the culprit but it would have to siphon as the pressure hose goes up above the tank.
Mine didn't have it and I see some dried washer fluid at the resulting hole near the pump. I am guessing some sort of pressure release drain that opens with no pressure allowing fluid to drain from nozzle hose but closes when the pump is on to force fluid to nozzles.
Thinking my valve (if it is one) may leak slowly draining the tank?
The front headlight washers may also be the culprit but it would have to siphon as the pressure hose goes up above the tank.
