S204 Screenwash Pump - No Water Front and Rear!

[Chrishazle]

Went to use the screenwash yesterday, nothing front or rear. No "check screenwash fluid" warning on dash (which I have had before) but I checked the level this morning - only took 1L to full, and I know the reservoir holds 5L or more, so it's not that! Just had SMWBO hold the stalk push while I listened at the front NS wing, no pump sound to be heard!

Found this thread Windshield washer dribble? | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing (the detailed post by Farmer boy) which suggests changing the pump is relativly easy, so wound on full RH lock and looked at the front of the wheel arch liner, I can see the 2 push pins mentioned on the nearside of the liner (and the lower one has the pin missing!), but cannot see the 2 10mm plastic nuts, so I'm wondering if just removing the push pins would give enough access to the pump, or is it a wheel off job (probably to be farmed out!).

I'm also fairly sure that researching this problem I read a recommendation about certain brands of replacement pump to buy - and avoid. I've found a Febi Bilstein one on eBay for £14.18 delivered RM48, but I've seen all sorts of other makes, many I've never heard of but a few (like Meyle) that I have. Anyone care to comment??

Thanks for any help!!






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[AnthonyUK]

I'm not sure if it is the same issue but when I bought the current bargain basement S203 nearly everything was working fine. One thing that didn't work at all was the headlight washers.
Like you mentioned you can get access from the wheel well but it is easier with the wheel off.
I would guess that headlight washers are rarely used, I've never used them for example so the pump had seized.
I stripped it down and free it off and it still works to this day as I now occasional check them.
As you say, you can probably fix it for £15 but if you can be bothered it might be salvageable.

 

[Chrishazle]

It's a job I haad to do twice on my 968 cabriolet, and if you think access to an MB screenwash pump is bad, try that one!! Wheel off, arch liner completely out, remove under-bonnet bits then remove entire reservoir with pump from up inside the wing, operating almost entirely by touch as you can't see much. Getting it back is even more fun as there's a crease along the bottom of the reservoir that has to go over a ridge in the wing - which you cannot see, only feel. Just to add to the fun, the pump is NLA, not even aftermarket. I got the failed one going again and got the car through its MoT, 2 months later it failed again, only pre-owned one I could find was in USA - that's still in the car!

I've just ordered a replacement pump from eBay but won't have it until Tuesday, by which time the forecast is rain, my garage is too small to work on the S204 so it'll either be done on the driveway or by the local garage just round the corner from us.

 

[Misterdog]

Drain reservoir, remove reservoir, clean FILTER on pump inlet.

Clean reservoir of ALL dark (are we allowed to say that ?) detritus, believe me there is loads of it.

Reassemble.

Sorted.

Took around 40 minutes on my A CLass.

 

[Blobcat]

Drain reservoir, remove reservoir, clean FILTER on pump inlet.

Clean reservoir of ALL dark (are we allowed to say that ?) detritus, believe me there is loads of it.

Reassemble.

Sorted.

Took around 40 minutes on my A CLass.

Hose pipe down the filler and put it on full can remove a lot of the build up of crud

 

[Misterdog]

Hose pipe down the filler and put it on full can remove a lot of the build up of crud

Or force it into the filter ? Making matters worse.

Seriously in 45 years of driving I have never seen such lumps of slime, nor a filter on the pump inlet.

I suppose without the filter the 'shclime' just ends up blocking your washer jets.

The reservoir on the A Class is a masterpiece of design with only one thumbscrew to turn to remove it...

 

[Chrishazle]

Sounds like the A class is a damned sight more user friendly than a C class (let alone a 968!). As the filler neck of the C Class is under the bonnet and the reservoir hidden behind the front of the wheel arch liner on the NS, I dread to think what removing the reservoir would entail! Somewhere in that jigsaw puzzle there's also a level sensor, I have no idea what is involved if that goes faulty - and do not want to find out!! If I do end up attempting this myself, I will certainly put a hose down the filler neck as far as I can - while the pump etc are out - and blasting it with whatever pressure our mains can supply. Will thus no doubt incur earache from SWMBO about the mess on the front driveway draining onto her front lawn, just as happened when we had the CH boiler replaced and the system was drained down onto that lawn, which did the grass no favours at all!!

 

[Misterdog]

Will thus no doubt incur earache from SWMBO about the mess on the front driveway draining onto her front lawn, just as happened when we had the CH boiler replaced and the system was drained down onto that lawn, which did the grass no favours at all!!

Astro turf - it's the future .

On the down down side of the A Class. she needs a new clutch ( 10 years and 76 K miles) so is technically an economic write off as the 'book' quotes 7.5 hours of labour plus parts.