ABC problem?

[RyanSL500]

Evening everyone,

I arrived home this evening in my W204 coupe (needed more seats) and saw my R230 SL500 sitting like this. I last drove it on a Friday (with no issues) and it’s now like this (Sunday). There are no leaks under the car, it’s had new struts in the last year and until about a month ago, was say in a garage unmoved for 6 months on a trickle charger.

When I turned the car on and pushed the height button, the car jumped straight up and was fine. I have noticed over the last few weeks than when sitting for a couple of days, the drives side drops a little in height. No warning signs in the dash. Apart from when it drops, but as soon as it’s pumped up. It’s fine.

Fortunately the car is going with in with PCS tomorrow for an A service and inspection (I got the car about a month ago and want it checked out for any issues). So I will mention this and see what they find!

Have any more experienced owners ever experienced this? If so, what was the outcome?

Cheers, Ryan

 

[LostKiwi]

Out 230 has started doing the same. Last time we were away for a week it was low all round. Startwdxand got the height warning, hit the height button and all happy again.
Night before last was RF corner was right down (all the rest fine). Started and got the height warning again, hit the height button and all good again. I suspect I may have a sticking valve block but at the moment it's not really a concern.

 

[RyanSL500]

Out 230 has started doing the same. Last time we were away for a week it was low all round. Startwdxand got the height warning, hit the height button and all happy again.
Night before last was RF corner was right down (all the rest fine). Started and got the height warning again, hit the height button and all good again. I suspect I may have a sticking valve block but at the moment it's not really a concern.

Ahhh thanks for your reply!! It sounds like mine is behaving like yours! From my research, I think it’s likely to be a valve block, but I’m not an expert or an experienced owner!!! I will be sure to give the results from the specialist tomorrow!

I quite like the look of the ‘slammed’ look if I’m honest!

 

[flowrider]

Evening everyone,

I arrived home this evening in my W204 coupe (needed more seats) and saw my R230 SL500 sitting like this. I last drove it on a Friday (with no issues) and it’s now like this (Sunday). There are no leaks under the car, it’s had new struts in the last year and until about a month ago, was say in a garage unmoved for 6 months on a trickle charger.

When I turned the car on and pushed the height button, the car jumped straight up and was fine. I have noticed over the last few weeks than when sitting for a couple of days, the drives side drops a little in height. No warning signs in the dash. Apart from when it drops, but as soon as it’s pumped up. It’s fine.

Fortunately the car is going with in with PCS tomorrow for an A service and inspection (I got the car about a month ago and want it checked out for any issues). So I will mention this and see what they find!

Have any more experienced owners ever experienced this? If so, what was the outcome?

Cheers, Ryan

Could be a sticky valve block as LK stated. Bookmark the site below, it will be invaluable to you....

http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully.blogspot.com/

 

[Craiglxviii]

Leaking lock valve shuttles. Mine is doing the same, just needs the valve blocks rebuilding.

 

[RyanSL500]

Leaking lock valve shuttles. Mine is doing the same, just needs the valve blocks rebuilding.

Is that an expensive job? I know it’s going to cost whatever it’s going to cost, but I’d like to be ready for the bill!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Is that an expensive job? I know it’s going to cost whatever it’s going to cost, but I’d like to be ready for the bill!

Nope. Welwyn Merx will charge £50-100 per axle depending on how awkward each block is to get apart.

 

[RyanSL500]

Nope. Welwyn Merx will charge £50-100 per axle depending on how awkward each block is to get apart.

Ahh that’s good news!! Cheers for that!

 

[Wighty]

Ahh that’s good news!! Cheers for that!

That is very good news for an ABC fix buddy

 

[RyanSL500]

Update - got the car back from PCS and it’s he issue is down to a leak valve block which needs replacing. However there are also a number of other items which need attention. Been quoted £3.8k for the work which seems pretty reasonable considering what needs doing!! Definitely won’t be telling my girlfriend how much it’s going to come too!

On the upside, it does look good next to my C220

 

[00slk]

Our 500 was a little more than that for the valve block ..........Oh that was a response to Craig's reply

 

[Craiglxviii]

View attachment 51142 Update - got the car back from PCS and it’s he issue is down to a leak valve block which needs replacing. However there are also a number of other items which need attention. Been quoted £3.8k for the work which seems pretty reasonable considering what needs doing!! Definitely won’t be telling my girlfriend how much it’s going to come too!

On the upside, it does look good next to my C220

The valve block can be rebuilt. Don’t get it replaced!

What are the other items needing doing?

No they look so much better de-plinthed. Think of the mass saving!

 

[RyanSL500]

The valve block can be rebuilt. Don’t get it replaced!

What are the other items needing doing?

No they look so much better de-plinthed. Think of the mass saving!

Oh really? Hmmm have you got a couple of garages which you’s Recommend? This is the work that needs doing.

 

[Craiglxviii]

View attachment 51143
Oh really? Hmmm have you got a couple of garages which you’s Recommend? This is the work that needs doing.

Rocker cover gaskets is 20 minutes per side not >1hr.

Valve block remove & replace is 30min if the wheel is off (which it’d have to be for the suspension work quoted!)

I’d recommend Welwyn Merx, if they have space in their schedule. Ian @star in Reading is a Top Man too if that’s near you. As is @Cole@MBS in Southampton.

 

[AMGeed]

^ Olly at PCS is using the time allotted to do the job from the main dealer worksheets.
All indies will do this so I doubt there will be any saving whichever indy is chosen.

And before its said, yes I know some jobs can be done quicker than "book time"
Unexpected problems can also occur doing a job but a good indy will take that on the chin.
Win some lose some. Still a lot cheaper than a main dealer.

 

[alexanderfoti]

^ Olly at PCS is using the time alloted to do the job from the main dealer worksheets.
All indies will do this so I doubt there will be any saving whichever indy is chosen.

And before its said, yes I know some jobs can be done quicker than "book time"
Unexpected problems can also occur doing a job but a good indy will take that on the chin.
Win some lose some. Still a lot cheaper than a main dealer.

Well said.

Many a time, I have quoted book time only for it to take 3 times longer. As you say, you win some you lose some.

If I know a job is much quicker I will quote the time I know it takes, but only if I am confident there are no likely issues (broken bolts etc).

 

[anyweb]

View attachment 51111 View attachment 51111

Ahhh thanks for your reply!! It sounds like mine is behaving like yours! From my research, I think it’s likely to be a valve block, but I’m not an expert or an experienced owner!!! I will be sure to give the results from the specialist tomorrow!

I quite like the look of the ‘slammed’ look if I’m honest!

beautiful car ! is it a v8 ?

 

[RyanSL500]

^ Olly at PCS is using the time allotted to do the job from the main dealer worksheets.
All indies will do this so I doubt there will be any saving whichever indy is chosen.

And before its said, yes I know some jobs can be done quicker than "book time"
Unexpected problems can also occur doing a job but a good indy will take that on the chin.
Win some lose some. Still a lot cheaper than a main dealer.

Oh I know PCS are an excellent garage and I’m thankful that they spotted everything that was wrong with my car! They were very knowledgable and I’m going to be a returning customer, they are close by and like the other garages noted on here, know their stuff and aren’t here to rip others off as they have lots of trade due to their good rep and service.

I’m not a mechanic so I won’t ever say anything negative about a garage as I couldn’t do any better. I definitely don’t want to give the impression that I’m having a dig at PCS as I found the service great and will recommend. But it’s not going to hurt to make some enquiries with the others mentioned. If it turns out to be the same sort of price, I’ll happily return

 

[RyanSL500]

beautiful car ! is it a v8 ?

Thank you - yeah she’s the 5 litre V8, it’s a nice rumble as you plod along the road with the roof off!