CLK W209 2007 wires inside screen washer hose.

[Droverunner]

Not been on for a while as the CLK has been trouble free for ages.

But MOT tomorrow and Mrs D hadn't reported the washer jet drivers side was very weak. So I removed the grille to get at the jets, popped the pipes off and tried to blast fluid through the pipes then prod the jets clear. Still a dribble drivers side and not that great on the other side either. So as I had a pipe joiner on the shelf started to cut it just near the bonnet hinge to see if there was a good pressure there... only to find these two wires inside. Bit of Googling says they are heater wires inside the pipe. They are definitely not the heated jet wires as these are external and easily seen.

Anyone know where these heater wires are powered from and if there will be any issue with pulling them right out and cutting off/insulating near their source?

Also see Amazon sell pattern jets with a pair being half the price of a genuine MB one. Any experience with the aftermarkets?

 

[rifiki]

I had same problem, stick a needle up the jet nozzle.

 

[Droverunner]

Thanks but not that simple. The jets are clogged with hardened debris like limescale so happy to replace. More important is to know about that wiring in the tubing as it prevents a connector sealing where I've made the cut so I'd like to get rid of it.

 

[rifiki]

Nothing on Youtube?
When fixed use only ready mixed screen wash or water from a dehumidifier.
Tap water is full of lime hence the clogging.

 

[EmilysDad]

....
Tap water is full of lime hence the clogging.

Depends on where you live
We have lovely soft water from the Lakes ..... kettles etc don't fur up.

 

[Droverunner]

OK sorted now so hope this helps someone searching in the future.

Yes these wires inside the washer tube are indeed heater wires to keep the pipes ice free. Where I'd cut the pipe in the first post's picture there was no way of joining it again without removing the wires. There is a two-pin plug at the washer bottle end powering the wires and disconnecting this didn't affect the washer/wipers operation or bring any warning light on the dash so I unplugged and taped up the plug then pulled the wires out from the full length of the pipe. At the pump end pulling the wires out from the elbow meant that water could drip out where they'd been set in a rubber grommet so I just replaced with a generic Halfords elbow.

The blast of water from the pipes (with the jets off) was much better with the wires and the debris they'd been trapping out the way.

I bought a pair of new pattern jets from Amazon which in the end were £52 cheaper than Mercedes OE. They fitted perfectly and the spray is fantastic, better than it's been since we bought the car.

I've kept the wire just in case something came up with it disconnected in the future so I could plug back in and tuck away behind the wheel arch liner.

Doing this job enabled me to drain and wash out the washer bottle. I always use pre-mix these days so this repair should last the life of the car now. We are retired and have no need to drive on very cold days so just having the jets heated will be good enough for us.