ABC issues

[alexanderfoti]

Maybe, although I've only heard that noise starting from Friday and at no time at all beforehand... I have an irrational fear of the pump running in a vacuum and auto-disassembling at high velocity

If you fill the fluid level to the top mark with the engine off (for more than an hour or so), then run the engine for a while and stop it for an hour, does the level rise past the full mark.

If it does, then replace the accumulators, as they are taking on fluid.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I think that I have it off to an art now, auto level struts and sensors more than once, then set height and store by entering Load menu. If anything is way out the Load menu will send it all over the place. On the 230 one can just get to the USA height settings, but much easier to set to the UK height.

Agreed, they look much better on the UK settings as well

 

[Craiglxviii]

If you fill the fluid level to the top mark with the engine off (for more than an hour or so), then run the engine for a while and stop it for an hour, does the level rise past the full mark.

If it does, then replace the accumulators, as they are taking on fluid.

I don't think so, but I've not yet tried the fill- on- off- wait- on procedure.

As I understand it though failing accumulators give an intermittent warning over potholes and the like, when driving?

 

[alexanderfoti]

I don't think so, but I've not yet tried the fill- on- off- wait- on procedure.

As I understand it though failing accumulators give an intermittent warning over potholes and the like, when driving?

They can do, with a weak pump, but not always.

My ABC res used to overflow when parked up, replaced all the accumulators and it stopped, never had any intermittent warnings when hitting potholes etc.

 

[Craiglxviii]

OK, thanks for that Alex. Well I've bought an o-ring kit so might see if I can rebuild my valves. Some axle stands might be in order too...

What cleaner would you recommend using on the valve block etc?

 

[alexanderfoti]

OK, thanks for that Alex. Well I've bought an o-ring kit so might see if I can rebuild my valves. Some axle stands might be in order too...

What cleaner would you recommend using on the valve block etc?

I would use ABC fluid and a brush. I think you will find it relatively clean in there, rather than caked on etc.

 

[television]

If a valve is leaking, then the valve could be letting the fluid back via the pump and make the hissing.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Now that is an interesting point Malcolm, thank you.

 

[television]

Now that is an interesting point Malcolm, thank you.

It has to go somewhere Craig. Looking on the bright side, my early 2002 SL has had 4 struts, 2 level sensors, to big leaks where I had to limp home 10 miles with no suspension, the ECU problems, then a short circuit in the passenger side fuse box where the height sensor shorted to a lamp wire.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I know it could all be worse. Unfortunately I'm unlucky enough to realise that such things are just around the corner for me

I guess it's more emotive for me. I've always tried to do minor work around the house & on cars etc myself, but stopped shy of lots of spanner-twiddling due to tool/ time/ ability constraints. This is the first time that I've had a "spare" car that I don't need to keep on the road that I can then work on. Deep down I know it's basically a central heating system- pipes, pump and valves, no more no less- so anything that doesn't leak out has to go somewhere in the circuit. BUt there are enough quirks and foibles to need an expert like you or Alex to point out different directions and for that I thank you most heartily.

I'm happy to live in ignorance of such potential issues as you have described... hehehe

 

[alexanderfoti]

an expert like you or Alex to point out different directions and for that I thank you most heartily.

Any time!

I would say I'm more an "extreme DIYer" than expert

 

[television]

Any time!

I would say I'm more an "extreme DIYer" than expert

And I am not so extreme these days its an age thing.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I recall you were an extreme power tool user not so long ago though Malcolm!

 

[television]

I recall you were an extreme power tool user not so long ago though Malcolm!

So easy when you mind is on other things when using dangerous tools

 

[Craiglxviii]

Well gents, I can now give you an update. I got busy on eBay and Amazon and ordered:

12 litres of Pentosin CHF/11S
1 x ABC 3mu filter
1 x 13mm straight connector
1 x length 1/2" pipe

All arrived, I finally had some time spare and so, using Alex's superb how-to guide, I set to work. I took the car for a jag down the country lanes to get everything nice and warm- white then red ABC warnings came up. Pressure fluctuating between 90-165bar on the drive. Got home. SWMBO climbed aboard (the car, that is ) and took over "up and down button duty" while I sorted out the hoses and container and got the hyd fluid ready.

Nice clear container by the way so I could see what was happening.

Diagnostic unit plugged in to monitor fluid pressure.

Engine on- red warning. Pressure "N/A".

Watching end of hose.

Still N/A.

Watching end of hose.

After 10 minutes, nothing had come out of the hose at all.

Header tank has correct fluid level. Return pipe has fluid in it (a little goes a long way as I discovered when it dribbled over my hands reconnecting it). But no fluid was coming out at all. I can see the pump turning, how can it not supply any pressure at all to the system?

So, chaps, all in all I'm a bit stumped. I don't know what to do now other than to get it into an Indy, I've been recommended Harpenden Auto Centre as MB specialists by an MB-owning colleague at work, so I will give them a call tomorrow.

 

[alexanderfoti]

That's frustrating

Normal flow will empty the reservoir in 20 seconds at idle.

It does seem to backup the hypothesis that the pump is not generating any pressure/flow for whatever reason. Did you try tapping on the suction valve whilst you had the return off?

Your not that far from Terry at WG-MB. Worth a drive in my opinion (although obviously difficult due to the cars state)

 

[Craiglxviii]

I didn't, no. I might try that next weekend. I just forgot. I did look at what I guess is the valve but the "hit it nowwww Craig" thought didn't cross my mind.

 

[television]

So sorry to hear this, I have not done that much work to know an answer.


If you have to go to an indie Phil at Letchworth is a very good guy and honest, not very far from you as well. I would say better than Harpenden.

 

[Craiglxviii]

No need to be sorry Malcolm, it seems the lot of my family to have "unusual" problems with all sorts of things that few people have heard of/ experienced/ can deal with. My X Trail for instance has an engine issue causing it to surge, almost like it's hunting. No one knows why, and I'm not prepared to throw money at it to fix...

So I have contacted exclusive-auto.de to see if they will sell a Y86/1 suction restrictor valve, on the basis that mine is knackered. If so I will let people know as to the best of my knowledge these valves aren't available separately (they sell pumps with and without them so must have some spare). I will try again next Friday to flush the fluid using some "kinetic persuasion" of the valve to see if that works; I rather doubt it. Failing that, I will have to get the car down to an Indy, which is what I was hoping to avoid. Gah.

One day I'll get to drive the damn thing!

 

[Craiglxviii]

If you have to go to an indie Phil at Letchworth is a very good guy and honest, not very far from you as well. I would say better than Harpenden.

Malcolm, what is the name of Phil's outfit please, is it Hertfordshire Merx?