Windshield wiper fluid leak

I bought a 1999 230 SLK with 33,000 miles on it at the beginning of the summer. I found I have a problem with the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. When I add fluid, it immediately drains out the bottom of the car. I suspect that a connection or hose is disconnected. I am unable to see the exact source of the leak. I have not yet tried taking things apart to find the leak out of fear that I will mess up other parts, and I have not found any instructions for taking apart the windshield wiper fluid reservoir.


Are leaks like this common, and if so, what is the most likely cause?


Unless I can find a rather simple way of fixing this, I will probably end up taking it in to get fixed. But even then, I would like to have an idea of what I am up against and what it should cost to fix.


I am confident this problem existed when I bought my car. I didn't notice the problem until the fall because I washed my car so often I didn't need to use windshield washer fluid. A bug on the windshield was all the excuse I needed to wash the car.