80000 miles 2003 SL55.
- Front struts replaced about 8000 miles ago by main dealer under warranty, with all fluid replaced and new filter fitted.
- ABC warning light came on around 3000 miles ago but a rodeo test sorted it out.
- Car serviced at main dealer 1200 miles ago in November 09
- Car not used left standing outside in freezing weather for all of Feb and March
- On startup, ABC car too low warning, Merc Assistance attended
- Star diagnostic plugged in and reported:
--Control unit FEDERUNG
--C1525-001 Critical vehicle level front left
--C1525-064 System pressure too low
--C1526-016 Malfunction in pressure supply
--Possible cause and remedy
--Component Radial piston pump is defective
Roadside wanted to call a truck and have the car taken to dealer for new pump to be fitted. I had an idea of what this might cost from a main dealer so declined.
I want to make sure it is the pump that is faulty before forking out 965 for the pump plus whatever seals, hoses, filters, fluid and labour go with the job.
The Pentosin reservoir has a dipstick. There is no max/min marking but there are two horizontal lines roughly halfway along the dipper so I guess these are max/min. The level in the fluid is way below this, right at the bottom of the dipstick. The engine bay isn't sparkling but there is not a great mess elsewhere in the vicinity of the ABC pump or any of the tyres/wheelarches so I am thinking a slow leak rather than any catastrophic sudden loss of fluid.
I understand an electric pump can burn out but this is a belt driven pump, and spins fine when the engine runs without making any alarming noise. There is a gap between the tyres and the wheel arch just large enough to get your fingers in, and the steering turns lock to lock with about 2 mm clearance of the wheelarch so definitely not driveable.
I'm looking for the following advice if anyone can help please:
1) First thought is to top up this reservoir with fluid (which I will source from main dealer). Is this a safe thing to do or should I not start the engine (and hence run the pump) until a professional has looked at the car?
2) Even if something in the system is leaking, would a top up of the reservoir be likely to get the car raised long enough to allow it to be driven the 20 miles or so to the independent workshop I want to look at it.
3) The indie I want to use is an audi specialist and I am advised there is a similar high pressure hydraulic suspension system on some Audis. Is it wise/unwise to take this problem to someone who is not a Merc dealer/specialist and is a star diagnostic/Rodeo test likely to be needed? I want to use this particular mechanic because he is a personal friend and I can trust him not to lie to me about work needed, unlike some of the main dealers I have used who in my opinion are nothing short of fraudulent.
Thanks for any advice.
- Front struts replaced about 8000 miles ago by main dealer under warranty, with all fluid replaced and new filter fitted.
- ABC warning light came on around 3000 miles ago but a rodeo test sorted it out.
- Car serviced at main dealer 1200 miles ago in November 09
- Car not used left standing outside in freezing weather for all of Feb and March
- On startup, ABC car too low warning, Merc Assistance attended
- Star diagnostic plugged in and reported:
--Control unit FEDERUNG
--C1525-001 Critical vehicle level front left
--C1525-064 System pressure too low
--C1526-016 Malfunction in pressure supply
--Possible cause and remedy
--Component Radial piston pump is defective
Roadside wanted to call a truck and have the car taken to dealer for new pump to be fitted. I had an idea of what this might cost from a main dealer so declined.
I want to make sure it is the pump that is faulty before forking out 965 for the pump plus whatever seals, hoses, filters, fluid and labour go with the job.
The Pentosin reservoir has a dipstick. There is no max/min marking but there are two horizontal lines roughly halfway along the dipper so I guess these are max/min. The level in the fluid is way below this, right at the bottom of the dipstick. The engine bay isn't sparkling but there is not a great mess elsewhere in the vicinity of the ABC pump or any of the tyres/wheelarches so I am thinking a slow leak rather than any catastrophic sudden loss of fluid.
I understand an electric pump can burn out but this is a belt driven pump, and spins fine when the engine runs without making any alarming noise. There is a gap between the tyres and the wheel arch just large enough to get your fingers in, and the steering turns lock to lock with about 2 mm clearance of the wheelarch so definitely not driveable.
I'm looking for the following advice if anyone can help please:
1) First thought is to top up this reservoir with fluid (which I will source from main dealer). Is this a safe thing to do or should I not start the engine (and hence run the pump) until a professional has looked at the car?
2) Even if something in the system is leaking, would a top up of the reservoir be likely to get the car raised long enough to allow it to be driven the 20 miles or so to the independent workshop I want to look at it.
3) The indie I want to use is an audi specialist and I am advised there is a similar high pressure hydraulic suspension system on some Audis. Is it wise/unwise to take this problem to someone who is not a Merc dealer/specialist and is a star diagnostic/Rodeo test likely to be needed? I want to use this particular mechanic because he is a personal friend and I can trust him not to lie to me about work needed, unlike some of the main dealers I have used who in my opinion are nothing short of fraudulent.
Thanks for any advice.