E320 Auto brake limiting/compensating valve?

[arhey]

I drive an L red E320 Auto estate which was due for its MOT today - it failed due to a leaking brake valve. The MOT place couldn't carry out the repair so I took it to another garage who diagnosed a problem with the brake limiting valve (aka brake compensating valve). They gave me a quote for the part of £1600+ - the car's not worth £750.00.

They suggested I try a breakers for the part but the one they suggested said he didn't think my model had that part on it anyway. Can anyone give me more info.

I've been emailed a quote from another breaker who's quoting £50.00 for the part but I want to make sure I'm getting the right thing. Any advice on how I can be more specific would be gratefully received.

Chassis number is WDB124

Thanks

arhey

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

We need the first 6 number of your chassis to really help Arhey WDB 124---

 

[television]

I cant think of what this valve can be,,where is it, and and Ellsy the first 6 vin numbers please

 

[Bolide]

As far as I know there is no brake force limiting system on these cars. There's an ABS block (under the bonnet), a master cylinder, a servo, pipes & calipers. So either your car is a little out of the ordinary (it happens) or the diagnosis is wrong

You could go back to the MOT station and ask them to show you the part that is leaking. You may have to wait while they finish a test for a chance to put it up on their ramp. Don't forget to take a couple of beers for their trouble

And / or find a local MB specialist, show him the leak & ask his advice. The worst thing you can do with a W124 is to take it to "A Garage". Only take them to an MB specialist who knows the cars intimately. I'd also get him to change the brake fluid if it's not been done for a while

The braking systems on these cars are very reliable. The usual faults are rusty discs, sticking or seized calipers (normally on the rear) and rusty brake pipes

Whereabouts in the country are you?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[uprightbrian]

Might the M.O.T station be mistaking the self levelling rear suspension height control valve for a brake compensating valve?
It is located at the rear and connected to the stabilizer bar just like a brake compensator would be on other makes of vehicle.
Regards Brian

 

[arhey]

Chassis first 6 numbers are WDB 124092

Bolide,

I'm in Windsor, Berkshire. The garage I took it to is a MB specialist, Osbournes in Maidenhead, and they confirmed the leaking part.

UprightBrian,

That's what the first breakers yard guy said to me on the phone and part of the reason I'm pretty confused by it all.

Television,

the valve has been indicated as being at the rear of the car

Thanks for your replies so far, people, and hope you've got more thoughts.

 

[television]

These are the components in your braking circuit

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.as...&GA=722.369503&GM=717.450&CT=F&Cat=44R&SID=42

This is the ASR if you have it

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.450&CT=F&cat=44R&SID=42&SGR=105&SGN=05

This is the rear suspension


http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.as...&GA=722.369503&GM=717.450&CT=F&Cat=44R&SID=32

Al links open after BM

 

[wireman]

What point is there in the MOT when the numpty (who is likley to sentence somebody to death as a result of his incompetance) can not identify what the bits do?

 

[television]

What point is there in the MOT when the numpty (who is likley to sentence somebody to death as a result of his incompetance) can not identify what the bits do?

Good point, and certainly makes you think:sad:

 

[Number_Cruncher]

The outcome is OK though, and the MOT has done its job, because whether it's a brake valve or a SLS valve that's leaking, then, it needs doing either way.

As there aren't any brake valves there, it must be the SLS valve.

 

[roofless]

when i took my scimitar for a mot the young lad who did the test had never seen a trunnion joint so asked me if the play in it was the norm .silly boy it passed

 

[arhey]

Thanks for all the replies but I'm really confused now. The MOT guy and the MB repair garage both say it's the brake valve that's leaking but if I'm reading right , most of you think there is no brake valve and it's the self leveling valve. Is that right? I'm going to take it to an MB place in Hanwell near Ealing called Mercsonly on Saturday to get another opinion. Anybody know anything about them? The other option I've seen is JK Autos in Alperton - again, anybody know anything about them as well. Thanks for the help - it's really appreciated.

 

[television]

It is the self leveling valve, and nothing to do with the brakes

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>the young lad who did the test had never seen a trunnion joint

Back when my father was MOTing, we used to see quite a number of older cars, mainly because the owners of such cars knew that as my father had been working on cars since the end of the war, he would both know what he was testing, and also make appropriate allowances for the shortcomings of the different original designs.

I can't imagine many modern testers making sensible judgements about rod brakes for example!

 

[Bolide]

I'd take it to SS Motors in Weybridge. They know what they're talking about

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[arhey]

went to mercstar in Park Royal today on the recommendation of others on this forum and it's been confirmed as the self-levelling valve, replacemetn of which will cost 220 quid for the part as opposed to the ridiculous 1600+ quid quoted elsewhere for the non-existent brake limiting valve. Thanks to all for the help.

 

[wireman]

The mot man who examined my 201 did not find the dangerously worn front ball joint. Another mot man at another station did not find anything wrong with my current 124's rear subframe mounts.
That makes it twice that I have be given the all clear by incompetants.

 

[television]

went to mercstar in Park Royal today on the recommendation of others on this forum and it's been confirmed as the self-levelling valve, replacemetn of which will cost 220 quid for the part as opposed to the ridiculous 1600+ quid quoted elsewhere for the non-existent brake limiting valve. Thanks to all for the help.

Pleased that you got a good result from posting here

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>That makes it twice that I have be given the all clear by incompetants.

That suggests that your own servicing and maintenance routine - whether done by you as DIY, or by your garage isn't working properly.

 

[Mike S]

Hi,

My local garage has come up with almost exactly the scenario and told me that my 1990 300TD Estate would fail its MOT because "the brake compensator valve" is leaking.

Although I intend to change the SLS valve as soon as I can, I was wondering whether it is on a totally seperate hydraulic circuit to the brakes and whether its leaking is actually a MOT issue?

I should be delighted to hear if anyone has a valve that they want to sell.

Regards

Mike