W124 - Power Steering Reservoir

[Bill_33]

W124 1995 E280 Estate

Need a little advice

I cannot find any reference to the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir in the Handbook

If you look at the engine bay from the front, there is a large Plastic "bottle" on the RHS - mine is about half full with a blue liquid - there are no marks on the plastic container for minimum and maximum - is this container the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir - if so at what level should the fluid be at when the engine is COLD.

Also what type of fluid do I need?

Thanks in advance

 

[grober]

If by the RHS you mean the offside then that's the windscreen washer reservoir! The power steering reservoir is an alloy metal cylinder integral with the power steering pump. ( its one of the units driven by the poly V belt). Its on the nearside of the engine and has a metal lid held on with a black rubber moulded screwcap.

 

[Bill_33]

Thanks but I mean on the RHS of the engine compartment as you look at the engine from the front
The near side for a RHD vehicle
to the right of the ABS unit and Alarm unit - when looking from the front

It is a clear plastic container, quite large, it has hydraulic fluid in it

 

[Dieselman]

For the SLS.

 

[Bill_33]

For the SLS.

can you explain?

What is SLS = Self leveling suspension
What level should the fluid be
What hydraulic fluid do I need
There are no markings on the plastic container

Cheers

 

[Dieselman]

As you say, self levelling susp. The fluid is MB ZHM or equivelant, basically mineral hydraulic oil.

As long as the reservoir has fluid in when the car is loaded that that's all it needs.

 

[Bill_33]

As you say, self levelling susp. The fluid is MB ZHM or equivelant, basically mineral hydraulic oil.

As long as the reservoir has fluid in when the car is loaded that that's all it needs.

many thanks

 

[grober]

Take a look here. The reservoir can be shared with the ASD system I think. Looks as if there's an internal level dipstick which is accessed by removing the top. http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.433&CT=F&cat=15U&SID=32&SGR=220&SGN=05

 

[Bill_33]

Thanks again - I will look when my 22 year old son brings it back, he is enjoying the Merc after his VX220 which is "off the road" for a few weeks

I bought the car last week and I am going thru it, (as I say when he brings it back)

The only rust is really the passenger door - minor rust around the inside seams and the bottom "sill" is quite flaky rusty, (but covered by the plastic panel), all the other doors are fine with no rust - this really surprises me, (signs of rust on the inside seams).

My son reckons that is has used or lost a little oil in the 200 miles that he has driven it - I followed the car for about 5 miles and no smoke at all - but maybe there is a small, (I hope), oil leak - but until I take the cover off and degrease it I cannot tell - 157,000 miles and 12 stamps in the book, so it has been serviced reasonably frequently.

 

[grober]

Be aware that these cars can have engine wiring loom problems. There is another post about this on the forum at the moment. The loom on your car may have been replaced at some point but possibly not. The moral of the story is--- handle all the engine wiring loom very gently with "kid gloves" till you check its been replaced. Avoid excessive bending as much as possible when doing any maintenance like changing spark plugs etc.

 

[Bill_33]

Be aware that these cars can have engine wiring loom problems. There is another post about this on the forum at the moment. The loom on your car may have been replaced at some point but possibly not. The moral of the story is--- handle all the engine wiring loom very gently with "kid gloves" till you check its been replaced. Avoid excessive bending as much as possible when doing any maintenance like changing spark plugs etc.

Thanks grober

I am aware of the loom problem - I started the thread that I think that you refer to....many thanks for the info that you have posted

 

[bolide]

Thanks again - I will look when my 22 year old son brings it back, he is enjoying the Merc after his VX220 which is "off the road" for a few weeks

Those VX220s do seem to spend a lot of time going through hedges, spinning on wet leaves & etc, don't they?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Bill_33]

Those VX220s do seem to spend a lot of time going through hedges, spinning on wet leaves & etc, don't they?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk[/QUOTE

I am not certain but I think that I read somewhere that almost 50% had been written off...some simply because of a small parking "shunt" as I believe insurance cos would rather do this than repair them becuase of the price of the front a rear "clambs"

My sons problem is his left leg, he is recovering from an op...the E280 is perfect......auto, leather and power seats mean that he can drive it, he is comfortable and he can fit in it.........not something that you can say about a VX220, were even a normal person has to be a contortionist to do the same.

He does however love his VX and we fitted a Larini exhaust last week which sounds great to his "young" ears.

By the way he did call me on Saturday evening after driving back from London on the M3 in the E280 and said that the car was "awesome" - I said that "I told you so" as when I suggested it he could not believe that I would want to buy a 14 year old car, (particularly with almost 160,000 miles)

 

[grober]

Thanks grober

I am aware of the loom problem - I started the thread that I think that you refer to....many thanks for the info that you have posted

That will teach me pay me to pay attention to who is posting. At least replacing the engine loom is a relatively easy DIY.