Hello all - long time. Car is a 2001 E320 for reference.
Wiper fluid reservoir is leaking. Started recently.
Removed the unit from car, cleaned everything, tank seems to be fine, replaced old cap with new one, replaced rubber grommet at pump to tank fitting with new one and checked pump hose fitting. Now it is leaking worse of course.
Leak source is definately at the pump grommet, hose fitting area. It almost appears that the pump itself is leaking. Anyone ever experienced this. Seems plausible since it started suddenly instead of gradually and the old rubber grommet was in decent condition.
Also - as long as we are at it - why is there a short loop of " wire " on the end of the hose at the washer pump. It seems to only go into the hose an inch or so and I cannot figure it out. Loop to go around pump stem into tank? I'd like to cut the hose off to get some fresh material for the clamp to nipple fitting, but ??????
I had similar symptoms when the pump went bad. Didn't want to spend the money to r&r so I had the pump removed and the system plugged.
A word of caution - I always thought that that spray system was worthless. And I didn't buy the argument about HIDs needing a headlight washer to reduce glare.
Well I found out otherwise in a snowstorm. The lights didn't generate enough heat to melt the snow accumulating on the headlights and after about 50miles the lights were pretty well covered with slush and ice - greatly reducing light produced.
I have same problem on my 01 430. Haven't had time to look very close at it yet, but my guess is that it's the pump itself. How did you get the thing apart - can you write up some steps? Thanks.
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Figuero, I think Spartan is talking about the windshield washer, not the headlight.
Spartan, please click user cp and edit details to add your vehicle and location to your profile, it's often useful information when you're seeking assistance.
The wire is a heater to keep the fluid from freezing in the line, it runs up to the nozzles.
I can't remember hearing about a pump leaking, but I suppose anything is possible. If you're 110% sure the leak is not at the grommet, then the next step would be to try a different pump. Maybe a unit from a wrecking yard just as a test?
Good luck.
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Some additional data, just to confuse things. There are indeed two different pumps as well as two unique grommets for these pumps. For my 2001 E430, they are as follows;
I doubt they would be different for your E320, as long as you have the factory HID lights with washers. And YES, mine has started leaking last year and I have not fixed it yet, mostly because we get so little rain here in the desert. I have an upcoming fender/bumper repair and paint project and plan to restore operation at that point.
Mine leaked on the left side where a circle of plastic from the molding process was formed. I took a hot glue gun and pumped on about 2 sticks of hot glue and let it sit empty of fluid overnight. No problems ever since, the hot glue melts the washer bottle plastic and seems to make a really good bond.
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2003 Mazda MPV
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For clarification it is the windshield wiper reservoir tank. The grommet I got came from local MB dealer parts counter and I indentified it on the schematic as being the correct part. Same with the cap.
The heating wire element is interesting. I wonder if it really works. Never gets cold enough where I live to test the application.
I plan to remove the assembly again, drain, dry and silicone seal the plug and pump in place. If this fails I'm convinced it is the pump body.
Acute failure as mentioned before also lends credence to this.
After trying every possible ways to fix the leak, I finally bought a new washer fluid reservoir and a new pump grommet. That fixed the problem.
Oh, actually, a new pump also.
I was so sick and tired of that problem, I just went ahead and replaced everything involved. I have more important things to do, you know.
BTW, mine is also a 2001 E320 4DR Sedan.
You may want to try this sequence:
1. replace pump and grommet
2. if it does not fix the leak, replace the tank also.
In my case, I don't see any crack at the tank, no crack/leak at the pump, replaced the grommet numerous times with different brands, tried every possible way to seal it. Eventually, replaced every thing. Fixed.
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I soldered mine back together and wrapped it with heat shrink tube. I cut the "hose end" in an attempt to fix this leak.
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