Hmm.. Curious Black Washer Fluid
 

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this... but let's see if the replies concur or not.

'90 300TE:
Noticed last Fall that when I used the washer jets that I was getting a smear/film when dry on the windshield. I topped off the washer tank and it happened a few more times after. My best guess was that the washer heater was leaking antifreeze into the tank. I forgot about it.

Now that it's winter, and we finally got snow/rain, I noticed that the smear/film was getting worse. Now it's bad enough that I have to clean the windshield by hand to even see out of it, after using the washer fluid/jets.

So this morning it was bad enough that I stopped at a gas station on the way to work to clean the window... I also wiped off the wiper blade for good measure. Curious thing was the stuff coming off the blade was black!

Got home from work and noticed the fluid in the washer tank is black :eek:

I have ALL the service history for this car and at no time was a head gasket replaced. There is NO oil running down the block, and I can't really "see" any antifreeze in the oil. No foam under the oil cap. Overflow tank is too old and crappy to really see the antifreeze color. No steamy exhaust or smell.

So I'm inclined to believe that the washer fluid has oil in it, that it picked up from tainted antifreeze that is leaking from the washer fluid tank heater.

Any thoughts?


I've always said that if the m103 gives up... that a om602/603 is going in it's place.

is it even possible for the washer fluid to cross paths with the oil or antifreeze?? never heard of this happening

Alcohol content of the fluid eating at rubber bushings?

Does it have a petro-based rainbow haze or ring that would indicate oil?

Change the fluid, change the blades, see what happens...

In my car, yes. The washer fluid is super heated by engine coolant. If the manifold/piping were to breach, I can see this happening. But this would also require oil to be in the antifreeze.

By the way, I had added distilled water to my washer fluid since I was out of the mix. Did not know temps would drop as bad as it did. Ended up putting anti-freeze in to prevent complete freeze over. When I used it, no film. Just FYI. G-05 stuff.

No rings, just bad streaks/haze.

I pulled the tank and cleaned it out. I cant tell if it's oil or what, but it does have a "film" that you have to wash off your hands. The tank had a lot of sediment in it. The heater coil looks like crap, and the black thermostat thingy has a crack. I pulled it all out and bypassed the tank heater... when I removed one of the black rubber lines, I got nasty black oil like stuff all over my hands. So it's possible the rubber is being broken down.

Broke the washer motor, like always, so I need to order another one. I'll also replace the lines to the jets as well.

Still no sign of oil and antifreeze commingling. This weekend I will change the oil and look for water.

Ya I figure I can live without the heated washer fluid.. my 300D doesn't have that silly feature. Of course, I need to plumb that whole system... I have the washer jets sitting on my desk :cool:

So out of my two cars... I have ZERO windshield washing capabilities lol

Im not sure of the value of the heated fluid other than marketing hype. The lines do not seem to get very warm anyway. By the time the super heated stuff gets to the glass its cooled down. And if you spray enough to get warm, you drain half a tank.