Got in the '95 E300D the other night, the low windshield washer fluid light was on. No problem, after I returned from my trip I filled it up and parked it ready for the next day. Next day, light was on again. OK, I thought, it must be the sensor.

However upon looking at the tank, it was empty. Long story short, there is a black plastic plug located at the bottom front of the tank which was rotten, allowing fluid to leak out. I can see no reason why MB put that plug in there, other than perhaps they needed a hole there for the molding process.

Anyway, I laboriously sucked/drained the dregs out of the tank, dried the hole, and then, using the semi-rotted plug and a load of silicon seal, put the plug back and sealed the snot out of it.

Just a heads up - I suspect there will be a lot of 124's with this issue as time goes on.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 227K

I believe the front hole is for headlamp washer pump if car was fitted with the option.

happened twice on our '97 C280.

The original plug last 7 years for us. In fact It outlast the plastic tank which cracked 1 year prior. I transferred the plug over and did not see anything abnormal.

First replacement (1dollar plug) I bought from dealer was plastic instead of rubber- lasted 1 year before pinhole seepage occurred.

2nd time MB changed back to rubber & I hope this will last at least few years.

Winter washer fluid up here in Toronto seems to `promote' the rubber degradation according to the part guys at 2 dealers.

You hit the nail on the head.

The second hole is for the pump that works with the headlight wipers. When I converted my 300TE to Euro lights, I did away with the headlight wipers. I had to plug the second hole. It has not failed, yet, but I am sure that it will sometime.

It is not just the compositon of the washer fluid that may affect the plug's longevity. The fluid in the reservoir is heated, so that may have something to do with it as well.

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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

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