Washer reservoir indicator

[wbrian63]

This question will probably label me as anal retentive - but here goes.

'92 300SE. The washer reservoir level indicator does not function properly. I've replaced the original with a MB part, but when the reservoir is full to the top, the float in the tube does not show full.

Originally, I thought it might be an issue if all water was used, vs the specified mix of washer fluid and water, but that didn't make any difference.

Is this float level indicator a known problem on these cars, or is mine just trying to irritate me?

I know I have a light on the dash that does illuminate when the fluid gets low, but it bugs me that the indicator under the hood doesn't show full when full is the condition.

Any ideas?

[david s poole]

please go take an anger management class.

[wbrian63]

awww - come on, David.... us TX boys gotta stick together.

Seriously - if there's something fixable here, I'd like to know. If not, no big deal.

I'm just one of those people that believe that if it's present on a car, it should work.

[david s poole]

i don't think that it is economically feasable,in other words the parts cost outweighs the benefit.

[dieseldiehard]

just disconnect the damn sensor and fill it when it stops squirting (or even top it up when you have a chance at a fill up) thats my solution.
DDH ex-Texan

[david s poole]

sorry my mistake you don't have to buy the whole reservoir,the dealer gratiously sells the part you need for about $25.[you learn something every day].

[wbrian63]

Original post notes that I've already replaced the $25 part. It doesn't indicate right.

For those uninitiated in to the "140 way" (which in some cases means to take a simple task and complicate it to hell & gone), there's actually a washer fluid reservoir indicator tube visible to the left of the aux fan cage right up against the edge of the passenger headlamp. It's a plastic tube with level marks that is connected with a hose at the bottom to the bottom of the washer reservoir. The bottom of the tube is even with the bottom of the reservoir. Inside the tube, there's a float with a red plastic tip that's supposed to float on the fluid as it rises into the tube.

Remember your high school physical science class - water seeks it's own level. As you fill the reservoir, the water goes through the hose and rises to the same level in the indicator tube.

When everything works as designed, the red indicator should reach the top of the indicator tube with the reservoir full. My float doesn't "float" - it stays slightly submerged, and therefore the reading isn't accurate.

The low level sensor works just fine. As I've said before - to me, if it's there, it should work. It may just be an issue of specific gravity (let the puns begin) where if you don't use MB-only washer fluid that the float doesn't float properly. I'm just using a mix of water and the cheapo washer fluid you can get from the local parts house.

Other 140 owners - does your washer fluid level indicator work?

[myarmar]

When I got the car it did not have an indicator. I got one and it has a same problem as yours. I gave up on this.