Heated Wash/Wipe System

[Bay Leaf]

Hi Does anyone know how the heated wash/wipe system works.

 

[EmilysDad]

I know that some cars have a coil containing engine coolant routed through the washer bottle but often it's just the washer nozzles on the bonnet/scuttle that are heated, not really to heat the screen wash, but to just prevent the nozzles from freezing.

 

[Bay Leaf]

You might have something there, as there is an auxiliary pump in the engine compartment that's connected to the cooling and washer system.

 

[EmilysDad]

You might have something there, as there is an auxiliary pump in the engine compartment that's connected to the cooling system.

that'll be either for the heater ... ie so you can run the heater while the engine is stopped for half an hour or so (the engine needs to be hot in the first place) or to dissipate engine heat when the engine is switched off (my Omega used to do the same)

 

[Blobcat]

I know that some cars have a coil containing engine coolant routed through the washer bottle but often it's just the washer nozzles on the bonnet/scuttle that are heated, not really to heat the screen wash, but to just prevent the nozzles from freezing.

Usually just the nozzles are heated so the reservoir can still freeze if you don’t add sufficient screenwash

 

[V6Matty]

It’s actually the nozzles and also the pipe work that are heated, there is a very fine wire that runs the length of the pipe work that goes on under 2 degrees I believe,

 

[EmilysDad]

It’s actually the nozzles and also the pipe work that are heated, there is a very fine wire that runs the length of the pipe work that goes on under 2 degrees I believe,

pretty sure it's just the nozzles that are heated on mine .... no trace heating

 

[mioba]

It’s actually the nozzles and also the pipe work that are heated, there is a very fine wire that runs the length of the pipe work that goes on under 2 degrees I believe,

you mean the pipes in the wash reservoir surely and not the rubber pipes that go to the nozzles. Or are you driving a Maybach or something..

 

[EmilysDad]

in the likes of Practical Classics, you used to see a moulding of what was effectively a short section of top hose with a washer hose wrapped around it. You inserted it into the top rad hose and connected the screen was hose to & from the pipe that was 'wrapped' around it. I've looked but can't find it any more.

 

[EmilysDad]

it seems that a few Mercs have a heated pipe in the washer bottle .... https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...leDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=washer+bottle+heater

 

[V6Matty]

Nope I do mean in most mercs, the thin wire runs all the way with the pipe work, or at least it had with my 211, the 169 and the 212

 

[EmilysDad]

Nope I do mean in most mercs, the thin wire runs all the way with the pipe work, or at least it had with my 211, the 169 and the 212

I knew what you meant I just posted other options

 

[V6Matty]

I knew what you meant I just posted other options

Ah, gotcha, I’m blaming it on the whisky

 

[Bay Leaf]

Ah, gotcha, I’m blaming it on the whisky

That would stop the system from freezing
All good info though. Oh for an haynes manual.

 

[S500 Pete]

I know that some cars have a coil containing engine coolant routed through the washer bottle but often it's just the washer nozzles on the bonnet/scuttle that are heated, not really to heat the screen wash, but to just prevent the nozzles from freezing.

My W222 has a metal coiled pipe in the washer battle that I assume is the heater coil.

 

[RhodieBill]

Heated Wash/Wipe usually means the Washer Fluid Bottle is heated by the Engine Coolant Fluid running through a Metal Coil that is located with the Washer Bottle. But you will also find that the Nozzles are also heated with Electrical Elements within them. That is why it is important never to use water from the tap as they will form Scale like in your Kettle and eventually get blocked. They are not cheap to replace!

You can see here on my CLK the 2 Pipes going into the Washer Bottle.

 

[EmilysDad]

.... That is why it is important never to use water from the tap as they will form Scale like in your Kettle and eventually get blocked. They are not cheap to replace! ...

Some of us have lovely soft water in our taps

 

[RhodieBill]

Some of us have lovely soft water in our taps

Not here! I even use Bottled water in the kettle and Coffee Machine! And Tesco's Ashbeck is best.... 100% Scale Free!

 

[EmilysDad]

Not here! I even use Bottled water in the kettle and Coffee Machine! And Tesco's Ashbeck is best.... 100% Scale Free!

Ironically the 20 litre Evian water bottles at work fur the kettles up.

 

[RhodieBill]

Try the Ashbeck by Tesco. I tried a multitude before I found that was "The One"! (And the cheapest!).
I bought a Lidl Glass Kettle about 4/5 years ago and still looks good. All I do is rinse it out occasionally with the Ashbeck, but never washed it - never had to!