W215 ABC Pump change ...

[greekCL]

Hello guys,

I will try to change ABC pump next weekend coming and was wondering if any of your tried to do it with a friend Mechanic and not to MB.

Is there anything specific I need to watch out? As far as I know til now ... ABC pump and power steering pump are coming out together and getting replaced as one.

Cheers
V

 

[mercedescl500]

In my experience.

Hello guys,

I will try to change ABC pump next weekend coming and was wondering if any of your tried to do it with a friend Mechanic and not to MB.

Is there anything specific I need to watch out? As far as I know til now ... ABC pump and power steering pump are coming out together and getting replaced as one.

Cheers
V

greekCL, Hi, in my experience (having done 3 pumps) its a job best done by someone who knows the ABC system very well. If the fitment, bleed, purge is not done properly then you could ruin the new pump. You will need SDS to re-pressurise the system, and bleed the system. Also you will need to RODEO the car once you have replaced the pump. Fitting the pump is the easy part, its setting it up that takes time. I have lost a brand new pump becuase it was not correctly setup. In all honesty its better to have a main dealer do the job because it will be covered by parts and labour warranty for 12months. If you have it fitted by an Independant then you run the risk of it going bad and you picking up the bill. I was very fortunate that MB picked up the bill for my new pump as it was fitted incorrectly by a MB tech. The money you try and save on this particular part and fitment is just not worth the hassle, pay the extra and have piece of mind that the MB Main dealer will replace it if it goes wrong. This is just my experience, yours may differ. btw There is a very good write up on "another" benz forum with 21 pictures illustrating the various ABC components and how they fit together, well worth a read. Hope this helps.

 

[AndyPCD]

As mercedescl500 says this job is quite involved and will need the use of a star machine to bleed up the system after. And if this is not done properly as he said this can ruin the new pump a good independant should be able to do this if they have a star machine. I have changed loads of these pumps and it can go horribly wrong if not fitted or bled up correctly

 

[BlackC55]

Thirded.

You really need a Star to do it properly

 

[greekCL]

will try to get a quote from MB dealer...
I know the pump costs £630.00 incl VAT. And for sure it would be better to change it before 2010 so I will get it with the old VAT (15%).
Any ideas on how much would it cost in total from experience?

 

[Silver CL55]

I'm getting mine done tomorow under warranty by MB Hamilton.
Pump, fluid, filters, labour, £1500GBP (I think)
I'll correct this when I get it confirmed.
C.

 

[greekCL]

Blimey ... £1500 ... no way!!! The part costs £640.00 ... and per litre the oil costs £16.00. What are they doing with labour dancing around the car and make it look pretty!!

 

[AndyPCD]

What is the reason for changing the pump.
£1500 is quite steep for that job as it means they are charging about 8hrs labour to do the job

 

[BlackC55]

The fitting and calibration and fitting do take time.

 

[alexander patie]

yes, an awkward pump to fit. would be interesting to know why it is being changed.

 

[Silver CL55]

yes, an awkward pump to fit. would be interesting to know why it is being changed.

If you mean my car's pump, I am getting ABC fault messages regularly, it is showing "insufficient pressure" on STAR and they reccon changing it will cure the problem.
C.

 

[alexander patie]

hopefully they are correct. good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[greekCL]

I am getting similar messages as well.
ABC Active Body Control Visit workshop message in white as well ...
the pressure of the system if fine. But the pump it self is leaking oil.

And twice ABC Please drive carefully in red. Where the pump I suppose was seized... and started again working randomly. I think the bearings are shot, as if you move the disk (pulley) where the belt goes on ... it moves in and out slightly with a tic tac metallic noise... I am sure this was not meant to happen.

 

[greekCL]

The fitting and calibration and fitting do take time.

They did the rodeo test back in Greece and calibration to try to take off the warning message. Which took in total 1hr to 1hr30mins, however they could not see ... where the error message was coming from, as the pressure was fine... however he said maybe it was a sticky valve. It took me about 3.000miles to find out it was the pump once it stopped working lol.

Now MB they are meant to be the "experts" so could do it blind folded ... lol maybe I am kidding... however 700 or 800 labour still sounds a lot!

I will try to get some good will into that plus a service B ... so will try to make a more efficient deal so it will not hurt my pocket as much plus finish all the body shop left overs... that I still have outstanding ... yes still going on with it ... 1yr later!!

 

[greekCL]

btw There is a very good write up on "another" benz forum with 21 pictures illustrating the various ABC components and how they fit together, well worth a read. Hope this helps.

MercedesCL500, Just for educational reasons at least is there any chance you can send me the link of the other post?

 

[Silver CL55]

MB Hamilton confirmed today that the cost would be aproximately £1500GBP, 8 hours labour @£105, pump, filters, oil.
God bless MB warranties!
Colin.

 

[greekCL]

Still trying to get a quote ... waiting for a call back

 

[BlackC55]

if you need a quote from me just shout. I have done a few of these before

 

[greekCL]

I am shouting!
Please quote me

 

[BlackC55]

Can you PM a chassis number please.