SBC brake pump.

[Druk]

Took the 211 into Mercedes Edinburgh this morning for a Star diagnosis cos I had mentioned the SBC pump may have sounded slightly more noisy than usual. 1/2 hour later I was told they were not allowing me further use of the car cos said pump had flagged up 'past use-by date'. 15mins and a phone call later the car is with them getting a new pump/fluid/vacuum pipe under warranty. This, to me, is brilliant service, but a couple of things spring to mind.

Why wasn't this flagged on the speedo display before being 'discovered' by Star?

If this is such a critical safety issue why isn't the range being the subject of a general recall?

Nov 2003 car, FMBSH up to Nov 2006 including fluid change 05. Serviced by me uptill now but including Merc brakefluid change and SBC upgrade flash in Nov 07. 113.000 miles approx.

If you have the same car/mileage maybe it's worth asking the question before you get caught somewhere inconvenient.

 

[mirras]

Took the 211 into Mercedes Edinburgh this morning for a Star diagnosis cos I had mentioned the SBC pump may have sounded slightly more noisy than usual. 1/2 hour later I was told they were not allowing me further use of the car cos said pump had flagged up 'past use-by date'. 15mins and a phone call later the car is with them getting a new pump/fluid/vacuum pipe under warranty. This, to me, is brilliant service, but a couple of things spring to mind.

Why wasn't this flagged on the speedo display before being 'discovered' by Star?

If this is such a critical safety issue why isn't the range being the subject of a general recall?

Nov 2003 car, FMBSH up to Nov 2006 including fluid change 05. Serviced by me uptill now but including Merc brakefluid change and SBC upgrade flash in Nov 07. 113.000 miles approx.

If you have the same car/mileage maybe it's worth asking the question before you get caught somewhere inconvenient.

I had the same issue on my R230 SL but it did flag the error "Service Brake - visit workshop" up in the cluster.

 

[timskemp]

They have a use by date? Built in obsolescence?

 

[mirras]

They have a use by date? Built in obsolescence?

I understand it's the number of pedal presses. At least that's what the MB service mgr told me.

 

[bdabdabeav]

sbc operates using no servo therefore if the sbc unit fails you have only manual input on the pedal to the rear calipers. the sbc unit threshold is usually around 300,000 presses and it is a service measure to check for updates every service. sometimes it has been exceeded so far that the unit as a precautionary measure tells star to replace it. it is a safety measure but it is replaced well before there is any risk of it failing. iv never witnessed one fail. it will not come up on the dash if it needs replacing on if for example the brake fluid hasnt been changed by at the correct time and has become too hydroscopic. it isnt a general recall as the unit itself isnt faulty. sbc works amazingly when running fine. although mercedes have now started to fit esp units and others with servos. regards

 

[MD5]

So are owners expected to replace their SBC at their own expense every 300,000 pushes or so of the pedal?

 

[bdabdabeav]

no not at all all work is warranted by mercedes benz and it is not a definete 300,000 presses that is just a general amount required before update it is not the unit which would become faulty ie leaking seals loss of pressure more a communication fault in the control unit hence the update.

 

[glojo]

Took the 211 into Mercedes Edinburgh this morning for a Star diagnosis cos I had mentioned the SBC pump may have sounded slightly more noisy than usual. 1/2 hour later I was told they were not allowing me further use of the car cos said pump had flagged up 'past use-by date'. 15mins and a phone call later the car is with them getting a new pump/fluid/vacuum pipe under warranty. This, to me, is brilliant service, but a couple of things spring to mind.

Why wasn't this flagged on the speedo display before being 'discovered' by Star?

If this is such a critical safety issue why isn't the range being the subject of a general recall?

Nov 2003 car, FMBSH up to Nov 2006 including fluid change 05. Serviced by me uptill now but including Merc brakefluid change and SBC upgrade flash in Nov 07. 113.000 miles approx.

If you have the same car/mileage maybe it's worth asking the question before you get caught somewhere inconvenient.

The answer is in your question. these are complex vehicles that need proper maintanance. On another thread I spoke about folks not taking responsibility for their own actions or decisions.

You made a decision not to have the vehicle serviced correctly and thankfully you got a free repair. Your choice, your decision and each to their own, if you are happy doing what you are doing then fine, but you have no access to service bulletins that might instruct technicians to check the count meter (which should be done)

I have lost count of the upgrades that have been installed on our vehicle and it is possible that these MIGHT be installed by a top independant specialist, but you need to spoil your car and the car needs to have all work carried out that is on service bulletins.

 

[Druk]

Thanks for that Glojo. Here's me thinking I'm doing fellow owners a favour by highlighting possible problems and I get criticised for attempting to save myself a bob or two. The last time this car was Starred (3 months ago after it's last major service) there was no mention of any brake problems or looming fault codes. All recalls and up to date flashes have been done and on time. The fact that I choose to change my own oils and filters doesn't mean that the car gets electronically neglected; by a long chalk. No car gets more care nor is 'spoilt' more than this one with the possible exception of a certain R107.

 

[glojo]

Thanks for that Glojo. Here's me thinking I'm doing fellow owners a favour by highlighting possible problems and I get criticised for attempting to save myself a bob or two. The last time this car was Starred (3 months ago after it's last major service) there was no mention of any brake problems or looming fault codes. All recalls and up to date flashes have been done and on time. The fact that I choose to change my own oils and filters doesn't mean that the car gets electronically neglected; by a long chalk. No car gets more care nor is 'spoilt' more than this one with the possible exception of a certain R107.

It is hard to get a tactful point across without folks getting a little frustrated.

I fully understand your point and can see why you do it. Yes, I accept you might have access to the STAR and congratulations on at least doing that, but asI tactfully tried to suggest, the list of technical service bulletins that get released for ANY of the latest very complex vehicles is endless. these advisory notices are extremely important and the only way we can be certain of getting this work carried out, is by being charged top dollar. Is it fair??? I have no idea, Is it expensive?? Relatively speaking ... Yes it is, but if we wantto be sure, then I would strongly advise folks to give your point and mine, a lot of consideration.

I have posted several of these advisories just to let folks get a feel of what they are and what they say and some do mention checking counters, checking wiring not getting chaffed etc, etc.

No car manufacturer wants the embarrassment of having an official recall and most go down the route of using these very important advisory notices

 

[login_user]

This has just come up on mine, does it come up if the rear pads are low as mine are due to be replaced.