steering oil level

[yoe]

i got a strange noise comming from power steering, the noise will cease if i turn the streering, i suspected that there is not enough oil in the system, unfortunely when i open the cap there two stage of level indicator which are 20 and 80. i am confuse which one should i follow. can anybody advise me on this?.. or do i need to bleed the system.?//

by the way the car is e240 1998 version.

thank's very much

 

[grasmere]

what does your car handbook say about checking the levels ?

 

[yoe]

that the sad things, i have look through the handbook nothing saying about this..

 

[guydewdney]

20 is the level at 20 degrees, 80 at 80 degrees (hot...)



you never need to bleed the system - its a circulating system..

was it frothy? when mine got a bit low, it went like a cappachino and made interesting noises...

if in doubt, go high... it wont hurt.

 

[yoe]

i think it got bubble inside.. it is mean i have to put more oil inside?..thanks will do it now

 

[guydewdney]

not OIL - use "Automatic transmission fluid"

 

[teky]

oh dear did you put oil in there if yes purge it and fill with atf/dexron III

 

[grasmere]

I recently got both atf and power steering oil from my local $tealers, details are


Power Steering Oil / Steering Gear Lubricant (as on label)
Pt No A 000 989 88 03 15
red / pinkish colour in bottle 500 ml £5.12 inc vat

Automatic Transmission Fluid Pt No A 001 989 21 03 10
straw colour in bottle 1 litre £8.23 inc vat

I have seen somewhere (apart from this thread) that its ok to top up power steering with ATF so whats the difference I wonder, any 'oil' experts out there

 

[guydewdney]

i phoned MB germany to find out - as the manual doesnt state anything on my CL - and they listed half a dozen 'suitable' fluids - one of which was bog stock ATF... That was about two months ago iirc

 

[yoe]

i get the steering oil from merc dealer. it cost me about £8. it says for the transmission as well. thank's. but unfortunely i can still hear the sound..don't know what to do next.?..

 

[Brian WH]

i get the steering oil from merc dealer. it cost me about £8. it says for the transmission as well. thank's. but unfortunely i can still hear the sound..don't know what to do next.?..

If it has been low for some time then there could be damage to the pump? Lets hope that the noise disappears as the oil circulates, if not you may need a new pump if it gets worse.

 

[yoe]

hi, it me again. do you know how much it would cost for a new pump. thanks

 

[nickmann]

Before you spend the money on a pump, it is worth purging the air from the system. With the engine running turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other. Repeat this six or seven times. Go nice and slow, and don't hold the wheel against full lock hard or long.

If that doesn't sort it take it to thte garage and get someone to listen to it or look at it, in person.

Good luck

 

[Ian B Walker]

GSF want £246 plus £150 surcharge for a steering pump if I remember correctly. I happen to have one spare if you need it.

 

[yoe]

will bring the car to the garage today to make sure the noise come from the pump. thanks nickmann.