SL55 settling unevenly overnight query?

[zoros]

SL55 AMG, 2002, 50k miles. ABC pump no leaks, no noises. Fluid still clear and green. Car 'sags' unevenly all round but predominantly down on the offside overnight. No captions on start up and drives well.
Can I correctly assume that there are valve block sticking - issues? If so which one and why?
Thanks in advance
Z

 

[V8 Supercharger]

More than likely the valve block is sticking as mine was doing the exact same thing, but where is it sagging from, front or rear?

There are 2 valve blocks, each one controls either the front 2 struts or the rear 2 struts. Faulty one would depend on where its sagging the most. Pictures might be a good idea here.

 

[zoros]

Would you believe that both the front and the rear of the car - offside has sagged???
From behind - the car is leaning towards the offside!
Both valve blocks?

Is it a DiY job? If not - roughly how much might an Indy charge?

Z

 

[scottydee]

No fat jokes yet?

 

[zoros]

you can't say fat anymore - its discrimination. You have to say: Dimensionally challenged!!

 

[V8 Supercharger]

Nothing relating to ABC is ever likely to be a DIY job, and in most cases i wouldnt even recommend touching it unless you know what your doing.

In your case you should have 2 options:-

1. Replace the Valve Blocks with new ones, only £1,500 . . . . EACH!

2. Should be able to remove, clean and replace them as i did with mine.


Dont know how much an Indy would charge but its is about 2 hours job per valve block.

The pictures seem to have disappeared from this link but the write up should be of some use.

Rebuilt Rear ABC Valve Block Today - MBWorld.org Forums

 

[V8 Supercharger]

Oh yeah, if both front and rear valve blocks have failed at the same time then its highly likely you have dirt in your ABC system which is causing the blockage. ABC does not like dirt at all so it might be a good time to get your system flushed as soon as you get the valve blocks sorted, otherwise something else might let go.

 

[zoros]

Very kind V8Supercharger - thanks for the info. Z

 

[zoros]

Can I simply live with it?

 

[V8 Supercharger]

Can I simply live with it?

You tell me?

Mine was only doing it if i didnt start the car up for a few days, then it got progressively worse and started doing it overnight like yours, then eventually it would do it after only a few hours. And at this point i fixed it.

Im guessing the next step would have been that it would have gotten to a stage whereby it would have sank within minutes of the car being turned off.

Wether it can cause long term damage if left in this state or not is something only time will tell, but i have heard of cars "sinking" for years on end when people have not got this sorted.

Try it for a couple of months and if you find you cant live with it, give me a shout, might be able to sort it for you.

 

[zoros]

what a gent - have a good Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year!

 

[V8 Supercharger]

what a gent - have a good Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year!

And you sir

 

[BFT]

And you sir

SL valve blocks are much cheaper than S class for some reason. Mine was £250 when the specialist did it. Mainly labour but not extensive.

 

[Edgun]

SL55 AMG, 2002, 50k miles. ABC pump no leaks, no noises. Fluid still clear and green. Car 'sags' unevenly all round but predominantly down on the offside overnight. No captions on start up and drives well.
Can I correctly assume that there are valve block sticking - issues? If so which one and why?
Thanks in advance
Z

Hi when you say your abc fluid is still nice and green and clear, I take it you are looking at the dipstick in the abc resovoir,I also thought this until I had my fluid changed. It was in a bad state and needed changing asap.when I changed it I wasn't having any problems just thought that it was the prudent thing to do given all the info on the infamous abc system.btwy 55 is of similar age and mileage.hth.

 

[V8 Supercharger]

SL valve blocks are much cheaper than S class for some reason. Mine was £250 when the specialist did it. Mainly labour but not extensive.

Was that for a rebuilt block or a brand new one?

As far as i was aware all the valve blocks are pretty much the same in all the ABC cars.

 

[zoros]

Does anyone use the magnetic 3 micron filter in the ABC reservoir? If so, how much and where (other than the USA) does one purchase it please?

As a newbie on the block (get it....block....valve block....ABC.....never mind) what is wrong with this observation:

"......I notice no leaks and the manual resets for height adjustment (rodeo button) works normally, the ABC works normally and the fluid and filter were changed @ 36k (2 years ago). Overnight (and not always) the car 'sags' to the offside. IF I change the filter (NOT the fluid) again, what's wrong with allowing the valve block to leak overnight thru the one way valve - forever?? That will save having the 2 x blocks removed and overhauled - as no harm is being done to the system.................."

 

[V8 Supercharger]

As a newbie on the block (get it....block....valve block....ABC.....never mind) what is wrong with this observation:

"......I notice no leaks and the manual resets for height adjustment (rodeo button) works normally, the ABC works normally and the fluid and filter were changed @ 36k (2 years ago). Overnight (and not always) the car 'sags' to the offside. IF I change the filter (NOT the fluid) again, what's wrong with allowing the valve block to leak overnight thru the one way valve - forever?? That will save having the 2 x blocks removed and overhauled - as no harm is being done to the system.................."

As i said . . . . probably nothing.

What would play in the back of my mind would be:-

"if that little bit of dirt that is blocking the valve block ever gets through and blocks, or worse destroys, a complete strut . . . . . then would that be better".

 

[Edgun]

As a footnote just seen that there is now a conversion kit for the abc system priced at 2500 US dollars.would imagine the deletion and install costs would be horrendous though??

 

[V8 Supercharger]

As a footnote just seen that there is now a conversion kit for the abc system priced at 2500 US dollars.would imagine the deletion and install costs would be horrendous though??

Looked into that myself a while back, actually just when my valve block was misdiagnosed as a faulty strut at a cost of £1500, with possible further damage to the pump as well costing extra on top.

The deletion and installation costs are not that much actually, seems a pretty straight forward job. The handling effects afterwards though . . . . now that might be horrendous.

 

[Edgun]

Yes was wondering about the handling after that conversion. I actually love the suspension the abc provides, pity mercedes created a flawed system although having said that my late 2003 55 has no history of abc problems,so if say you bought the car from new I guess you would be quite happy.i need to go and touch s large lump of wood quick