'99 E300TD...Aux Coolant Pump?

[wjob]

I had a bad aux. coolant pump so I eliminated it by joining the two larger hoses together with a connector but that leaves the hose going to the windshield in-operable. What can I do to restore operation to the washer pump? Any urgent reason that I need to buy a new $300 pump, realizing that my heating system may not be 100%?

thanks,
Bill

[KarTek]

Since it's not a critical component (safety/engine operation) I'd just buy a $60 or less imitation pump or a used original. It's magnetic drive so it has a limited chance of catastrophic failure.

[shertex]

What part of the country do you live in? I've been through two New England winters without one and haven't missed it. The heated washer fluid is more important as it's a safety issue (again, depending on where you live).

[wjob]

I live in FL, so that helps. Do I just cap off the port on the bottle that accepted the hose from the aux coolant pump since it's not being used? I assumed there was a pump at the bottle, if so, can't I use it?

[shertex]

You should have no need for either in FL. I can't picture the routing just now...but the coolant can bypass the washer reservoir entirely. You'll still have the pump to pump washer fluid if that's what you're referring to.

[wjob]

Is the pump actually in the plastic jug? Yes, I am trying to figure out what I need to do to be able to pump the fluid up to the windshield?

[treetops]

Black or white plastic pump should be on the front of the bottle, hard to miss.

[jay_bob]

The aux pump feeds the heat exchanger in the washer bottle. This heats the washer fluid with coolant.

The reservoir pump(s) located in front of the bottle feed washer fluid to the windshield and to the optional headlight washers.