Three of my 4 window washer fluid jets don't work. I cleaned the nozzles but I think the tubes are likely clogged, possibly in the sump area. It there an easy way to either remove the nozzles in the windshield are so I can run a pipe / tube cleaning line down from the windshield area? OR do I have to go in to the tank area and clean them from there? The pump works and plenty of pressure from the one jet so I don't expect it's anything more than the lines being clogged.

Any other thoughts / ideas and input is welcomed. I couldn't find anything similar in my searches.

Thanks.

 

Did you ever resolve this?
I have the same problem on my XF and also on my previous SLK

 

You can clean the nozzles, these can be removed with care. The top of the nozzle holder pries off. There is a slot on the back face away from the windshield, forward face car wise.
'Insert a screwdriver into the slot between the washer nozzle

and the cowl grille pressing inward to release the

retaining clip. Remove the washer nozzle.'

 

I cleaned the jets. They weren't the issue. I removed the jets and cleaned the upper ends of the tubes. You can only go so far. The tubes turn and are clamped down all the way to the tank. I haven't yet done the tank removal procedure yet. Likely a spring project. You have to take the wheel off, then the liner in the wheel well and then remove the tank etc. I'm not looking forward to it but it bugs me that the jets just drizzle out water.

Instructions for accessing the tank are likely on here somewhere. If not I they are on the CICCI website if you are a member. Good luck.

 

I had the tank in and out twice the other week, not fun.

OP
Maybe you could remove the cowl grille and release the hoses from the nozzles and see if its the tubes that are clogged by running them with no nozzles on. Depending on the size of the holes behind the nozzle, maybe just remove the nozzles and run the fluid through.

I remove my tank and the slime inside looked like a high school project.

 

I think as I'm on holiday this week I'll strip the wipers and cowl off and look at the jets. Just been on the SLKWorld forum and apparently the heated jets can malfunction and melt the water entry point. One guy re-drilled the entry point and 'et Voila' jets worked again. Keep you updated on my progress. Would seem like a common fault as occured on the SLK as well.

 

******It would be nice to have a link to that thread.******


Del

 

I have yet to mess with the washer system on the Crossfire. But from past experience with many other cars, compressed air works best the clearing nozzles. Disconnect a hose between the nozzles and pump at the easiest splice. Then blow air backwards thru the nozzles.

 

Consider it done

blocked screen washer jet - plastic melted ? - Mercedes Benz SLK World Forum

 

Thank You

Del

 

Dismantled panel around the jets only to discover the washer tubes are held on with tiny 'Clic' clips, so couldn't get them off to check the tubes for sludge.
What I did manage thou was to split the jet from the elbow and pump some water thru it, with the use of a syringe.
So it would appear they are not melted Thank God.
Seems like the one nearest the pump has good pressure and the one furthest away has low to no pressure.
Would lead me to suspect a blockage in the pipe.
I have ordered a set of pliers to undo clips, So when they arrive time to strip it down again.

1 remove the six torq screws T25
2.remove the wiper arms with a bearing puller
3.lift the panel off remembering to remove any cable ties and to unclip the wires for the heated jets.
4. Whilst the panel is out remove any debris from the drain holes.

bearing puller used
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=320857435173


Pliers to remove clips
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130657676456

 

Washer fluid tends to start gelling in the bottle over time and so clogs the filter (if there is one) or the pipes upto the nozzles. If you dont use the washers much it starts to get a little stagnent in the bottle, so best to use them on a regular basis.
It was a problem with my previous Z4.

 

I just fixed this problem on my '06 coupe limited and it took 3 evenings of troubleshooting. Actually, there were two issues that were causing my spray nozzles to dripple: Cracked fittings and melted nozzles. I had a cracked t-coupling under the middle nozzle. All the fittings in the washer system are made of plastic and seem to be prone to failure so that when I tried to wash my windshield, much of the washer fluid was being sprayed into the water channel under the cowl which I could not see. This problem was exacerbated by clogged nozzles.

The heated nozzles are crap. I found that the area behind the tiny adjustable orifices was constricted by melted plastic. Initially, I tried blowing air through the system from the pump output, and then sticking a hat pin into the orifices. Nothing seemed to clear the clog completely. Finally, I took a 1/16th" drill and drove it into the inlet of the nozzle modules and drilled out the melted plastic. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get a nice spray since the fluid dynamics through the nozzle module are no longer laminar after hacking at the part with a drill, pliers and what have you, but I do have a strong spray now.

The wind shield spray system is poorly designed. The heated nozzles and the fittings are prone to failure. If you can replace them with simpler, more reliable components, do so. I would be leery of spending money to restore the system to factory specs because it seem to be inherently defective.

I had to cobble the system back together with new fittings and rubber hoses from the auto store and it's still not ideal so I'm afraid this is one of those "re-engineer it yourself" issues.

BTW, I did not see any evidence of "gelling" or goop clogging the hoses.

 

this page left intentionally blank

 

This page had a copy of your earlier post in it, so it was not left intentionally blank as you say. Anyone subscribing to this thread would have received a copy of what you put here as I did.

I do not think that the washers are notoriously bad, obviously some have trouble with them. If it happened to you then you are in the minority.

The slime can build up in the fluid reservoir as happened to me, I think it is most likely if water or a weak fluid solution is used. The slime will build up over time and can clog the pump, the fluid level sensor or the jets.

 

After composing the post, I had to re-log in, and I somehow ended up with two posts and the edit/delete button doesn't seem to have a delete option - just edit. So I don't see how to delete my redundant post.

I found a number of threads concerning clogged nozzles on this and other sites, so I assumed this might be common. I have never had this problem on any others cars I have owned and it seems silly to have to drill out the nozzle to get it working again. These nozzles can cost up to $120ea so I really didn't want buy another set and have this happen again. The fittings are so flimsy and all of mine leaked. This just looks like poor design to me.

When there are two related problems to fix, it often greatly complicates the trouble shooting process.

 

That happens at times, I have had it happen to me.

I think when every part is made so that it does the job with the minimal amount of the cheapest possible material and using the cheapest method of manufacturing you end up with a product like this. The engineer designs and the accountant has the last word, that is what has put us in this mess in many ways.
The engineer says lets make this part and the accountant says " I agree, let's make it in China".

 

I'm an electronics engineer, and the way I experience bad design happening is through marketing promising the customers a finished product before consulting engineering so that a lot of times we do not have the time to fully test out the design before management is pressuring us to ship the product in order to meet unreasonable deadlines. Accountants are the shadowy evil force behind all of this, of course.

A lot of companies are discovering that China isn't always good for the bottom line. This is one reason why the US is experiencing a rebirth in our manufacturing sector right now. I have no idea what the Germans are up to.

 

I started this thread a while back and all this is great info. I too found it's the heated jets issue. The pump is pumping the liquid out fine. I finally went to remove the plastic cowl (for the second time) and I can't get the wiper arms off. Someone on here mentioned using a special tool. Is it the only way to get them off? I do want to get this darn issue fixed and I have some time to do it now but I don't want to have to buy another tool unless absolutely necessary. Anyone have another way?

 

You need a gear puller, I got a cheap one made from bar stock, it does the job for about $5. Harbor Freight?