renault12ts
MB Club Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 16,674
- Car
- 2005 W215 CL500.
Indeed. I got her on Saturday 7th May 2016...so tomorrow is her birthday with me!!
The 2020 CL215 Owners Register
- Thread starter splitpin
- Start date
100%Bitch
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Messages
- 114
- Car
- C215 CL600, C216 CL500, R172 SLK55, R170 SLK230K, Nissan Cube & Auto Trail Comanche
OP
OP
This is a collection of DIY servicing tips & advice written by an experienced CL215 0wner a few years ago that he accrued during his ownership somers ago.
Every two or three years –
Replace the ABC oil and filter.
Annually
Remove all the plastic under-trays and wheel arch liners.Inspect every ABC component –paying particular attention to the flexible hoses.
The crimped joints always fail eventually, so if the hose is wet, repair or replace it, or it will let you down badly.
Cut the old pipe out and replace it with a new section with 10mm compression joints.
When the wheels are off the ground, rotate the metal collars on the quick-release connectors – they always seize.
On W215/220 front struts, loosen then tighten the TORX screws that fasten the lower attachments – they always seize.
Generally – whenever you drain any oil from the bleed points on the hard lines next to each strut Allow a few hours for the pressure to drop, and take the weight off the wheels.
Drain as much oil as possible by compressing the strut with the bleed valve open – this oil is usually dirty.Remove the bleed nipples & covers and fit new ones if corroded.
Make sure you have a scissor jack or pillar jack to hand – there’s not much room for a trolley jack when the car’s on its bump stops.
Check the condition of all the bushes and ball joints using force.
Generally – if the ABC reservoir is empty for any reason:
If you get a red ABC warning, stop the car and fix the fault.Don’t run the engine – a few seconds is probably OK, but a few minutes is not.
The pump must be primed – even if the reservoir is full it won’t prime itself.
You can prime the pump with a few PSI of compressed air in the part-filled reservoir.
Alternatively, you can remove the poly-V belt and spin the pump by hand until you feel resistance.
If you need parts and materials, don't go to Mercedes:
If you need suspension fluid, buy CHF-11S from an accessory shop.
If you need a suspension strut, buy a remanufactured one.
If you need hydraulic hoses, go to a hydraulic hose shop.
If you need a pump, buy a serviceable used or a reconditioned one
If you need O-rings
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OP
OP
I still keep getting pleasant surprises on my CL. Today I tried to close the boot but it repeatedly failed to shut, I suddenly realised that my key was in my jacket inside the boot. Removed key & boot then shut normally.
The car came without the Owners Manual & yesterday I found. a used one......428 pages...some reading to do !
The car came without the Owners Manual & yesterday I found. a used one......428 pages...some reading to do !
Benz2fast4u
Active Member
Hi Alex, could I please have the name of your youtube channel, so can view video.
100%Bitch
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Messages
- 114
- Car
- C215 CL600, C216 CL500, R172 SLK55, R170 SLK230K, Nissan Cube & Auto Trail Comanche
Now that is really useful.
PeteCL55AMG
Active Member
That’s pretty comprehensive for sure, good to have you join us, lovely CL600.
PeteCL55AMG
Active Member
A business trip to London this week and so a drive out to the train station for my CL55 AMG. As I looked back after parking, I took this quick photo as (and I know I am biased) but how good does it look up against the other more modern machinery? Such a pleasure to jump into after my train journey and a very enjoyable drive home.
Attachments
PeteCL55AMG
Active Member
I am not overly interested in modifying my CL55, but I do like the look and the sound of the twin tail pipes, so considering changing. Anyone changed theirs, any pros/cons?
100%Bitch
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Messages
- 114
- Car
- C215 CL600, C216 CL500, R172 SLK55, R170 SLK230K, Nissan Cube & Auto Trail Comanche
Thank you, I absolutely love it.
OP
OP
Good that you are using it Pete & good to see you here again !
I too, have been putting some mileage on my CL recently with moreto come
I too, have been putting some mileage on my CL recently with moreto come
OP
OP
Good that you are using it Pete & good to see you here again.
I have put some mileage on my CL recently & it's poised to have some
remedial work carried out next month down South there is a distinct shortage
of "Indies" with genuine accrued experience of our cars in Lincolnshire or adjacent counties.
I have put some mileage on my CL recently & it's poised to have some
remedial work carried out next month down South there is a distinct shortage
of "Indies" with genuine accrued experience of our cars in Lincolnshire or adjacent counties.
Benz2fast4u
Active Member
Hi Splitpin. Where are you taking your CL down south?
OP
OP
Currently Portsmouth, would have liked to go to Alexanderfoti but it is a little too far.
Do you have a CL ?
Benz2fast4u
Active Member
No don't have a CL, but have always admired them from a young age.
PeteCL55AMG
Active Member
I found an indie in Clevedon (Avantgarde) and popped in to see them a while back and they seem really knowledgeable. I will be booking in soon as I am going to update my software as still get a niggling ABC warning from time to time and when it’s checked there are no issues. When I turn the ignition off, clears every time. The hope is the software upgrade my find the issue.
PeteCL55AMG
Active Member
What remedial work are you having Simon?
OP
OP
REPLACING ABC HOSES WITH COMMERSCIAL ITEM
I just replaced all the ABC hoses in my engine compartment, as I happened to have easy access (even to the ABC pump) and I have this lesson learned to pass on.
I used two different hydraulics shops, and I handed over my hoses to one of them to repair. They cut the hose out, made a new section with compression fittings, and fitted them. Unfortunately, they didn't clean out the sawing debris, which was left inside for me to remove. Also, they tightened the fitting, so the ferrule gripped onto the old pipe. Once you do that, it's there to stay.
Using a compression fitting has several advantages:
No need for any special tools.
Its easy to replace the replacement pipe when that fails.
The hose can rotate about the pipe.
The compression fitting can move up and down the bare pipe to some extent.
If the shop fits the new hose to the pipe, you lose that last advantage. Therefore Id recommend just buying the hose and fitting it yourself. You have the opportunity to get the length and angle of the new hose section just right, which is quite important. You don't want any hydraulic hoses to be installed under tension or twist.
I also recommend that you don't tighten the ferrule yourself until the last possible minute, when the installation is almost complete, then you can tweak the length until its just right. You can also make sure its clean inside.
To get the length of the hose right, just add 30mm to length of the section e going to cut out.
Compression fittings generally need 15mm at each end. Make sure you know where your pipe cutter or hacksaw is going to go, or simply cut the section out and measure that. Just a few cautions though:
Before cutting anABC metal pipe, remove the paint by scraping and abrade it so its clean FIRST.
When you cut the pipe, make sure you leave the inside of the pipe free of swarf.
Be very careful to get the length of the new flexible hose right - you must never run flexible hoses in twist or in tension.
Its a difficult temptation, but never tighten the compression joints until
everything else is fitted just right
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The above was posted by a very knowledgeable & experienced owner
on one of the American forums. Welwynnick
I just replaced all the ABC hoses in my engine compartment, as I happened to have easy access (even to the ABC pump) and I have this lesson learned to pass on.
I used two different hydraulics shops, and I handed over my hoses to one of them to repair. They cut the hose out, made a new section with compression fittings, and fitted them. Unfortunately, they didn't clean out the sawing debris, which was left inside for me to remove. Also, they tightened the fitting, so the ferrule gripped onto the old pipe. Once you do that, it's there to stay.
Using a compression fitting has several advantages:
No need for any special tools.
Its easy to replace the replacement pipe when that fails.
The hose can rotate about the pipe.
The compression fitting can move up and down the bare pipe to some extent.
If the shop fits the new hose to the pipe, you lose that last advantage. Therefore Id recommend just buying the hose and fitting it yourself. You have the opportunity to get the length and angle of the new hose section just right, which is quite important. You don't want any hydraulic hoses to be installed under tension or twist.
I also recommend that you don't tighten the ferrule yourself until the last possible minute, when the installation is almost complete, then you can tweak the length until its just right. You can also make sure its clean inside.
To get the length of the hose right, just add 30mm to length of the section e going to cut out.
Compression fittings generally need 15mm at each end. Make sure you know where your pipe cutter or hacksaw is going to go, or simply cut the section out and measure that. Just a few cautions though:
Before cutting anABC metal pipe, remove the paint by scraping and abrade it so its clean FIRST.
When you cut the pipe, make sure you leave the inside of the pipe free of swarf.
Be very careful to get the length of the new flexible hose right - you must never run flexible hoses in twist or in tension.
Its a difficult temptation, but never tighten the compression joints until
everything else is fitted just right
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The above was posted by a very knowledgeable & experienced owner
on one of the American forums. Welwynnick
OP
OP
It will be hoses detailed above Pete !
Benz2fast4u
Active Member
Hi Splitpin, I know a star machine has to be used in the process of bleeding the ABC system (believe it is 'rodeo mode') but to your knowledge do any nipples have to be opened like you would when bleeding brakes?