SL55 spat out its ABC fluid today

[Dickster]

I got an ABC warning workshop visit today. When I got home I opened the bonnet to find oil sprayed on the inside from the reservoir. I understand this is likely to be an accumulator and I think it’s the rear. I’ve decided to replace all the accumulators.

what side of the car are they on and how many are there? I think there’s three?

thanks

 

[Supracat]

Am pretty sure the manual says three. As you are doing, probably best changing all of them same time.

 

[flowrider]

There are 4 in total...... front axle accumulator, rear axle accumulator, return accumulator and the pulsation dampener.

 

[Dickster]

Thanks guys, what side of the car are they located ?

 

[Dickster]

Ok, they're on the near side.

I am trying to get a quote from Mercedes and they don't seem to know the parts - any idea of the pn's?

Here some great resources that I found:

ABC System

Welcome to my guide for the Mercedes Active Body Control (ABC) Suspension System. In July of 2014, I purchased a used 2003 Mercedes ...

mercedes-abc-drive-carefully.blogspot.com

ABC: Change the front and rear pressure reservoirs

www.benzworld.org

On the diagram provided by Marc, there appears to be one in front of the wheel well and one behind?

 

[Dickster]

So the one to the rear of the front wheel arch is the pulsation damper.

More resources

ABC Pulsation Dampener

www.benzworld.org

 

[Dickster]

I’ve ordered the two main front and rear, plus the pulsation damper.

is it strictly necessary to jack all four wheels off the ground? My garage is rather tight for space!

 

[Dickster]

I've got the arch liners removed. I have a leak in the pipe to the pulsation damper - any idea on the part no.?

And the front main assembly is mounted on rubbers, one of which has no nut on it! that has put stress on the other one and it is now split, so one of those required.

 

[flowrider]

I've got the arch liners removed. I have a leak in the pipe to the pulsation damper - any idea on the part no.?

And the front main assembly is mounted on rubbers, one of which has no nut on it! that has put stress on the other one and it is now split, so one of those required.

Have a look here........

MBEpc.net

mbepc.net

 

[Dickster]

Thanks for that.

I removed the top nut on the rear assembly , and the rubber pipe mount, but I cannot get the unit to slide out far enough - any tips?

 

[alabbasi]

You might have blown a hose which can happen if the pulsation dampner goes. I suspect that this would be the reason for why you have fluid all over the place. Was the ABC warning light flashing when you went over dips?

 

[Dickster]

No, the fuid just came out of the reservoir.

I just realised I didn’t depressurise the rear so that might be why I can’t slide the unit out.....

 

[Dickster]

Looks like the front valve block needs a rebuild too - looks like it may have leaked and the front sags after a day or two.

it just occurred to me, should I flush the system before I change the parts? Otherwise I’ll be flushing old oil through them.

 

[Dickster]

I decided to start over.

I couldn’t see the point of running old fluid through new parts. I removed the filter and siphoned the fluid from the reservoir - nearly 2 litres. It was surprisingly dark. The new fluid is very translucent and thin.

Next stage is run the motor and flush out all the remaining old fluid.

 

[6avs]

Hope you get it sorted

 

[Dickster]

Thanks. Yesterday I flushed the system with six litres of new fluid with the help of my wife - it’s easy but you really need two people. And it went better than expected today. After undoing the bleed screw (this pipe was rather rusty so I covered it in grease!), it took 30 mins to replace the rear accumulator (surprisingly the old one was ok but replaced anyway) and now I’ve moved on to the front....

 

[Dickster]

Well, the front accumulator has been removed and it was ok too. I was expecting the front or rear to be knackered. Perhaps it’s the pulsation damper, I’ll remove it tomorrow.

The front control valves have now been removed and are going to Germany for rebuilding.

 

[Dickster]

here’s some pics

 

[Dickster]

Duplicate post

 

[Dickster]

You might have blown a hose which can happen if the pulsation dampner goes. I suspect that this would be the reason for why you have fluid all over the place. Was the ABC warning light flashing when you went over dips?

I think you may be right