Mercedes W211 E63 AMG "Check Brake Fluid Message

[AnthonySaliy]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and couldn't find anything specific related to my problem.

So a couple days ago I bought my very first AMG. A 2006 MB W211 E63 AMG - the car is a massive spec and for reference it has done barely any miles in the last 10 years mostly sat outside the house where I bought it from.

However, I have now had a check brake fluid message, come up, after just a couple hundred miles of driving.

I checked and all it seems to be is that the brake fluid level is at half instead of the "max" fill level. There is no dripping that I could find even with my GF pumping the brake hard whilst I was checking underneath. Brakes work perfectly fine and they are in good overall condition.

Could anyone advise whether this really is just a brake fluid top up that it needs or could this be a separate issue with the braking system. Also, if this is just a top up repair, where I can get the correct brake fluid - Ideally tomorrow. Can I use high performance off the shelf fluid or is it just better to go for original Merc fluid and wait a couple days for delivery?

Thank you in advance.

 

[fifermerc]

Brake fluid doesn’t evaporate as far as I know, so if the level has dropped it is because there is a leak, although you would expect the level to drop a bit as the pads wear thinner.
If the car has been sitting for 10 years having done minimal mileage, has it been serviced? If not, rather than just top up the brake fluid it should be replaced, in addition of course to other routine service items.

 

[AnthonySaliy]

Brake fluid doesn’t evaporate as far as I know, so if the level has dropped it is because there is a leak, although you would expect the level to drop a bit as the pads wear thinner.
If the car has been sitting for 10 years having done minimal mileage, has it been serviced? If not, rather than just top up the brake fluid it should be replaced, in addition of course to other routine service items.

So I bought the car very cheap (respectively speaking to other E63's on the market) on the premises it needs a service. So I'll probably add to this to the service list when I call to book it in. Thanks for the advice

 

[mersum1es]

Most common brake fluid leak spot is on rear, where pipe makes light bends and goes behind trims. If it just recently started to leak fluid may still be hold by trim for a while. Check the pipe(s) as far as you can follow it on rear.

 

[fabes]

So I bought the car very cheap (respectively speaking to other E63's on the market) on the premises it needs a service. So I'll probably add to this to the service list when I call to book it in. Thanks for the advice

If you bought it 'cheap' and it needs a thorough going over, could I recommend that you use a garage knowledgeable and experienced in these cars with the right diagnostics and tools (and deffo not a main dealer on financial grounds)

We can suggest or recommend independents who you could talk to.
Whereabouts in 'London' are you?

 

[sautah]

Brake fluid levels can drop a fair bit if all the pads / discs a worn low. if the level wasn't 100% when the pads and discs were new....... easy to drop below the minimum level

First thing I would do is the refresh the braking components including flusing out all the remaining fluid. Examing all the lines. Then monitor it.

 

[AnthonySaliy]

If you bought it 'cheap' and it needs a thorough going over, could I recommend that you use a garage knowledgeable and experienced in these cars with the right diagnostics and tools (and deffo not a main dealer on financial grounds)

We can suggest or recommend independents who you could talk to.
Whereabouts in 'London' are you?

I'm in North London however, I work between here and folkestone. I found a good garage in Maidstone which was recommended on this forum so I'm going to take it out there when I return back to work in the next couple of weeks. I'm booking it in for a full inspection so I'll obviously do the brakes when I'm there. The discs are in very good condition with no lips on them at all. I think the rear pads are probably whats causing the issue as they are slightly low. Needless to say I don't think there's a leak, as the brakes work. And since this is a high pressure system I think any small "leak" would mean no brakes as I've had brake failure in the past and it was a small nick in one of the brake lines on a Kia of all things. Thanks for the help!

 

[AnthonySaliy]

Brake fluid levels can drop a fair bit if all the pads / discs a worn low. if the level wasn't 100% when the pads and discs were new....... easy to drop below the minimum level

First thing I would do is the refresh the braking components including flusing out all the remaining fluid. Examing all the lines. Then monitor it.

So it's at just over half. I think it's just worn pads on the rear. It's nothing critical at the moment. Pedal feels good and no lips on any of the discs. The lines were also checked today by a mate who works at a garage and got it up on a lift. No brake fluid leaks anywhere and they're all in good condition. But definitely will do a brake fluid change at a merc specialist. thanks for the advice

 

[rf065]

My biggest concern would be that the fluid has not been changed for 10 years or more?
Brake fluid is hydroscopic, it absorbs moisture, which then attacks any (inside) metal parts of the brake fluid system.

 

[AnthonySaliy]

My biggest concern would be that the fluid has not been changed for 10 years or more?
Brake fluid is hydroscopic, it absorbs moisture, which then attacks any (inside) metal parts of the brake fluid system.

It has been done at some point in the last 10 years - cant remember when, at the moment, will have to go through the service history. But yes a flush will be done as soon as I get back to work. But as per previous reply, they were checked by a mechanic and also it passed its MOT a month ago with 1 advisory.

 

[rf065]

But yes a flush will be done as soon as I get back to work. But as per previous reply, they were checked by a mechanic and also it passed its MOT a month ago with 1 advisory.

Not sure you've got my point, but the moisture, if there is any, will be inside the brake pipes and corroding from the inside.
I'm basing that on you stating it's sat outside for 10 years, anyone who leaves a car outside that long has no intention of changing brake fluid.

 

[W1ghty]

It has been done at some point in the last 10 years - cant remember when, at the moment, will have to go through the service history. But yes a flush will be done as soon as I get back to work. But as per previous reply, they were checked by a mechanic and also it passed its MOT a month ago with 1 advisory.

W211s around my cars age 2008/9 so probably yours as well have rear brake caliper pistons that are made of a plastic type material that swell and stick because of age and heat .
Might be worth changing the pistons to new metal ones as part of your brake overhaul .

 

[AnthonySaliy]

Not sure you've got my point, but the moisture, if there is any, will be inside the brake pipes and corroding from the inside.
I'm basing that on you stating it's sat outside for 10 years, anyone who leaves a car outside that long has no intention of changing brake fluid.

No I understood. But (i worded this wrong originally, apologies) the car wasn't just "sat" for 10 years. It has done 13k miles and been serviced at MB dealer the entire time. But I will add to list of things to add and do