PANIC Reservoir foreign object! Mercedes C-Class W203 2005 PAS Reservoir

Joe Colgan

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Hello all,

whilst I was using a turkey baster to remove some power steering fluid the little needle at the end of the baster disconnected and fell into the reservoir I cant retrieve it. (It is made of non magnetic metal and has a plastic thread to attach it to the baster).

I'm panicked that it will ruin the steering pump/mechanism as the plastic will melt when the temperature hits 80c. Does the reservoir have a filter? I tried to remove what looks like a cap to the reservoir but I couldn't and assume their is a special tool to do so, the reservoir looks like this one in the link

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES...LUID-TANK-RESERVOIR-A2034600083-/253659492955

Right now I cant afford to have a professional take the thing apart and need the vehicle for shopping for shielders.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've tried all avenues on youtube and the net etc but haven't found anything relating to this model,

many thanks,
J
 

davemercedes

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You're too far from me for direct help - but I've got a thingy which is spring loaded - when you press the plunger end 3 x metal fingers pop out and as you release the plunger, the metal fingers pull backwards. It's saved me from two disasters - once when I dropped a key from the top of a gearbox housing down into the innards and another time when I dropped a tiny nut down the space near the driver's seat.

If you call around the motor shops someone is bound to have one and it might solve your problem. I just found one on Amazon at £54 - I would expect to find one somewhere at less than £5 - but the picture shows exactly what I have.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handy-Long-Reach-Flexible-Claw/dp/B075JF2M79

If all else fails and you can cope with the time delay, pm me your address and I'll post it to you (but send it back please!) if it will help.
 

EmilysDad

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As there are only two pipes to/from it, would it not be easy enough to remove the whole thing & tip it upside down over a bucket?
 

davemercedes

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Joe, Are you in the AA or RAC?

If you call for help and explain what happened and stress why you need the car - they might do what Emily's Dad suggests for you - they should have the expertise to block it off so you don't get air into the brakes etc. while they do it.

- The worst thing they can do is refuse the call-out.

Best of luck!
 

joderest

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Power steering does not control brakes !!
I would do as suggested, remove the pump, empty offending article out, re fit, top up, run car and turn steering from lock to lock about 6 times, top up again and put the cap back on.
 
OP
J

Joe Colgan

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I am in the AA, I'll try the grabby claw thing as suggested first and then ask if the AA can come out. If not I'll follow some video guidance on removing the reservoir and tipping the thing into a bucket.

Good point about the turkey baster not melting, I hadn't thought about it like that!

Thanks for your responses, they're most helpful:)
 

EmilysDad

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Did anyone say it did ? we are talking about pas steering are we not . Fill it up to the top with new fluid easy as a wink parts will float to the top . Dont remove the pump , untill you try the easy way first .

We are talking power steering, but Davemercedes mentioned brakes in post #7 ..... just assumed a senior moment :D
 

davemercedes

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We are talking power steering, but Davemercedes mentioned brakes in post #7 ..... just assumed a senior moment :D

'fraid so... I knew it was the PAS reservoir) but these senior moments seem more frequent nowadays)!
 

RhodieBill

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It will only be the Reservoir that you will be removing, not the Pump.
Just get out as much as you can, remove the Reservoir and tip it upside down to get the thingy out. Then refit & refill the reservoir.

Just clean off any spillage, it will destroy paint!


NB. Presuming Grabby thing doesn't work.
 

joderest

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I wonder if they will be using the turkey baster at Christmas !!!!, or is it still in the pump fluid ?
 

joderest

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That's odd, i also use the plastic measuring jug to put the correct amount of oil in engines, just pop it in dish washer after use. Better half did comment and i said what's the difference between using it for engine oil and you measuring olive oil !!!!
 

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