2003 CLK windscreen fluid loss

[Dale Stevens]

We have a warning message on the dash of our 2003 CLK240 relating to the windscreen wash being empty, and have noticed what appears to be wash fluid dumped on our driveway coming from the drivers side of the engine, by the front wheel. When topping up the reservoir it empties fairly quickly.

Can't quite see from in the engine bay if any hose has come loose, but can anyone suggest what might be a possible cause please.
If it helps, the car was sat garaged and unused from 2018 until 2022, which is when we bought it.

 

[Blobcat]

It could have just had water in previously, this could have frozen cracking the reservoir. Alternatively the pump could have been dislodged so the seal isn’t holding.
You might be able to see it with the wheel arch liner removed. I don’t know the layout in your CLK

 

[rifiki]

On w209 CLK it's in the front LH wheel liner. there is separate panel secured with self tappers.

 

[AndySlade]

Might be worth securing washer pump motor into washer reservoir with a couple of cable ties for extra security. They can pop-out or become displaced especially if washer water freezes. That’s what happened to mine when it started to defrost, motor had been pushed out of tank.

 

[Dale Stevens]

A bit of an update..

The wife took the car into the local garage who have identified that the leak is actually clutch oil/fluid, leaking from around a pin & cap? I wasn't there to ask further questions so I can't say any further on that. Can anyone explain what this might be please?

It has a faulty sensor that detects the windscreen washer fluid is level, giving false readings on the dash, and the motor for the windscreen spray is faulty. So when the wife said the car was dumping this fluid, it actually isn't. Sorry for the mis information.

It's going back next week for them to do some repairs

 

[Blobcat]

A bit of an update..

The wife took the car into the local garage who have identified that the leak is actually clutch oil/fluid, leaking from around a pin & cap? I wasn't there to ask further questions so I can't say any further on that. Can anyone explain what this might be please?

It has a faulty sensor that detects the windscreen washer fluid is level, giving false readings on the dash, and the motor for the windscreen spray is faulty. So when the wife said the car was dumping this fluid, it actually isn't. Sorry for the mis information.

It's going back next week for them to do some repairs

Your car is an auto… what clutch fluid are they talking about…

Sounds like the garage is looking at a big bill heading your wife’s way from what you’ve posted..

 

[Dale Stevens]

Your car is an auto… what clutch fluid are they talking about…

Sounds like the garage is looking at a big bill heading your wife’s way from what you’ve posted..

I reckon it's more like the wife hasn't remembered what they actually said.

 

[peterws1957]

Think I'd be clarifying exactly what the problem is before letting the garage loose.

 

[rifiki]

As above, find a good MB Indie

 

[AndySlade]

Where are you based? Time to find a friendly independent Merc specialist. Post on here I am sure members will point you in right direction.

 

[Dale Stevens]

Where are you based? Time to find a friendly independent Merc specialist. Post on here I am sure members will point you in right direction.

The garage is a good one that I have used for years, but they aren't a Merc independent

I've heard that BJ Mason in Sheffield are good.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Yes as Blobcat said .. Once i had a washer bottle split under the base of it on one of my cars in the past ..mine was fitted to the inner or Might be the pump leaking or a pipe off . And if the jets freeze up then water finds a weak spot to bust out of ..

 

[brandwooddixon]

If it's further around the front and you have headlamp washers, the jets are another source of potential leaks. I had one split on a W210 due to frost - the washer bottle was okay, but the concentrated fluid hadn't made it to the washer jet and it froze. A pipe clamp was a temporary fix until I located a new jet.

 

[mioba]

Yo mention the washer fluid drains as you fill it and garage says something else. Not adding up.

 

[Dale Stevens]

Well I was going on the symptoms my wife was passing to me (it's her car), which turned out not to be correct.

She had the empty washer reservoir warning on the dash, and the windscreen washer didn't work. When she topped it up the warning remained, which is why she told me that it must be draining straight out - it wasn't.
There was liquid on the driveway near the front offside wheel, she assumed this to be windscreen wash, but it resembled oil.
The garage identified an oil leak from the gearbox, which they have now fixed.
They identified a faulty windscreen reservoir sensor and a pump, which they have now replaced.

All is now working, however the empty windscreen reservoir is still showing on the dash, I guess there is a way of resetting this?

 

[Blobcat]

Well I was going on the symptoms my wife was passing to me (it's her car), which turned out not to be correct.

She had the empty washer reservoir warning on the dash, and the windscreen washer didn't work. When she topped it up the warning remained, which is why she told me that it must be draining straight out - it wasn't.
There was liquid on the driveway near the front offside wheel, she assumed this to be windscreen wash, but it resembled oil.
The garage identified an oil leak from the gearbox, which they have now fixed.
They identified a faulty windscreen reservoir sensor and a pump, which they have now replaced.

All is now working, however the empty windscreen reservoir is still showing on the dash, I guess there is a way of resetting this?

If the sensor is working correctly then the low windscreen wash warning will extinguish automatically.

 

[mioba]

Well I was going on the symptoms my wife was passing to me (it's her car), which turned out not to be correct.

She had the empty washer reservoir warning on the dash, and the windscreen washer didn't work. When she topped it up the warning remained, which is why she told me that it must be draining straight out - it wasn't.
There was liquid on the driveway near the front offside wheel, she assumed this to be windscreen wash, but it resembled oil.
The garage identified an oil leak from the gearbox, which they have now fixed.
They identified a faulty windscreen reservoir sensor and a pump, which they have now replaced.

All is now working, however the empty windscreen reservoir is still showing on the dash, I guess there is a way of resetting this?

Dude dont you know women know nothing about cars.......

As above, if its filled, the message goes out.

Maybe if you have code reader clear the code and aee how it goes. some electric gremlins are not happy.

 

[brandwooddixon]

If they fitted a new sensor - did they reconnect it?