W203 Rear Screen Washer

[Paddcomp]

Quick question, my rear window washer isn't sending any water onto the glass. I can hear the motor running and a few drops of water come out initially then nothing. I've tried running it for a minute or so incase it was an airlock but still nothing.

I probably won't get to look at it until weekend, but thought I would ask here where the best place to start is.
Where is the pump located?
Is the tailgate panel easy to remove?

Thanks.

 

[Nibbo]

Don't over do it you may flood the tailgate or passenger footwell!

A common fault if for the blue plastic pipe to come off of the nozzle in behind the tailgate trim.
Failing that there is another thread on here where it has separated behind the battery somewhere causing the passenger foot well to flood.

The pump itself is at the front of the car behind the passenger wing.
You need to remove the front section of wheel arch inner lining to get at it.
Easy job but I would check the other options first.

Good luck.

 

[Chippychap]

Same problem on my A180.
Now I have thejob og drying out the interior of my tailgate.
I did the same as you, run the washer for a while see if the water comes through.
Maybe it's trying to wash the back window in freezing weather and it causes either the tube to leak, or, come apart at a connection.

 

[x332race]

The pipe in my car was loose in the tailgate.....farily easy to get to but need care removing the plastic clips holding the trim to the inside of the tail gate....I broke a few and they are surprisingly expensive for a few bits of plastic (mind you we are talking pence rather than pounds!!)

 

[crankiejohn]

this happend to mine a few weeks ago i thought it had just frozen so i kept trying it, until i removed the off side rear storage panel and found all my bits & bobs in about 2 litres of washer fluid. it was a rubber connection under the storage box dead easy i hope its that easy for you.

 

[Chrishazle]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/80846-w203-estate-rear-screenwash-problem.html

There are 3 places the pipework separates, you have to hope you're lucky.
First, in tailgate behind wiper.
Second, in rear offside cubby.
Third - and screaming !!**!! to get at - behind glovebox. Remove kickplate (2 screws) and look up behind and to nearside, then try to figure how to get at it!!

Good luck!

Chris

 

[Chippychap]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/80846-w203-estate-rear-screenwash-problem.html

There are 3 places the pipework separates, you have to hope you're lucky.
First, in tailgate behind wiper.
Second, in rear offside cubby.
Third - and screaming !!**!! to get at - behind glovebox. Remove kickplate (2 screws) and look up behind and to nearside, then try to figure how to get at it!!

Good luck!

Chris

Could it be easier to disconnect and re-route?

 

[Chrishazle]

Could it be easier to disconnect and re-route?

It comes up from the reservoir between the front NS wheel and the front bumper - if you look in the front NS wing you can see the thin blue pipe. It then goes behind the battery to a rubber grommet through the front bulkhead. "Passenger compartment" side of this grommet turns down 90 degrees and is only about 1cm long, thin blue pipe pushes into it, secured by a tiewrap. Pipe then disappears under the carpet along the outside of the footwell, and is next seen in the rear nearside cubby hole (near the tool storage).

Getting the blue pipe back into the grommet is nearly impossible as the rubber bit runs away from you as you push the blue pipe! The young feller with small hands that fitted my CD changer managed to do it - and get a tie wrap on - but the repair only lasted 2 weeks, so now I'm faced with removing the centre console to remove the glove box to give decent access to the pipe and grommet - and superglue the damned thing in!! It's about 1 1/2 hours work, at least.

So, don't know if a re-route is an option.

 

[Chippychap]

I was thinking just cut at a convenient point and go under the car, bring it up into boot and join the original pipe.
The more you can see the pipe the more you can control and protect it.
I've never ever done it, my hands are like full hams and my patience ain't as good as yours.
Or, cap it off and put another reservoir/pump from another motor in boot.
YUP, I really am that bone idle.
VERY best of luck with it.

 

[Paddcomp]

Only had a quick look over the weekend (there was an event on at the local Harley Davidson dealership), but can't feel any water inside the car or tailgate panel. Checked the passenger foot well and boot floor. May get a chance to have a longer look on the coming weekend.

How do I get the tailgate panel off? Does it just pull off (noting a previous warning of breaking clips) with some light leverage?

Thanks for the valuable advice to date. I can possibly manage without it until I get 124Works to carry out the Service B in a few months.

 

[crankiejohn]

Only had a quick look over the weekend (there was an event on at the local Harley Davidson dealership), but can't feel any water inside the car or tailgate panel. Checked the passenger foot well and boot floor. May get a chance to have a longer look on the coming weekend.

How do I get the tailgate panel off? Does it just pull off (noting a previous warning of breaking clips) with some light leverage?

Thanks for the valuable advice to date. I can possibly manage without it until I get 124Works to carry out the Service B in a few months.

remove the scews around the lower edge and side(they are small star headed type and screw screw in to small plastic inserts which come out with the screws)then lever the top edge away from the door,it has several plastic push in panel clips. none of my clips snapped

 

[Chrishazle]

How do I get the tailgate panel off? Does it just pull off (noting a previous warning of breaking clips) with some light leverage?

See post 26 on the link I gave above.

 

[Paddcomp]

I'll have a go at the weekend, Ta!

 

[Paddcomp]

:bannana::bannana: I've fixed something. :bannana::bannana:

I don't usually get involved in fixing my cars these days, time, effort and previous warranty and all that stuff. Well thanks to this forum I located the problem as the blue pipe had come off from behind the washer mechanism.
Taking the panel off was made easier with the advise from Chrishazle getting back on wasn't too bad either.

I assume that the recent frost pushed the pipe connector off, as it was a simple push fit to get it back on.

I was initially confused by the lack of damp patches where I expected water to come out, but once I opened the tailgate and operated the rear washer it was like Niagara Falls.

 

[Chrishazle]

Hope you tie-wrapped it tightly as well as pushing it back in - otherwise next frost = fix it again!!
Lesson I've learnt is, once there's a chance of temperatures below freezing, switch to neat screenwash instead of diluting it - 4 litres from Tesco for £2!

 

[Paddcomp]

Hope you tie-wrapped it tightly as well as pushing it back in - otherwise next frost = fix it again!!
Lesson I've learnt is, once there's a chance of temperatures below freezing, switch to neat screenwash instead of diluting it - 4 litres from Tesco for £2!

Errr, no. The plastic didn't look supple enough for a tie wrap to have any effect, but I'll remember the tip for the screen wash.