Help needed for Self Levelling Valve

[Fadz124]

Dear All.
I am new to this forum and would like some help and advice. I have a 1988 W124 230TE with 270Kms on the clock. My problem is that the back end is sagging and after doing a search in this forum, I think the self levelling valve is at fault i.e. unable to hold the pressure. Why I say this is whenever the car is revved or started, the back end starts to rise. Furthermore, the hydraulic fluid can be seen to leak from within and is starting to stain the car porch. I read from some of the posts that the valve can be repaired by purchasing the repair kit. I have tried GSF uk and Eurocarparts but they do not stock the item. FYI, I had the rear struts and spheres changed about 2 years back.

If anyone is able to help out and point me to the website that stock this kit, I would very much appreciate it. My local indy here has experience with other TE's but he does not stock the repair kit, only the full set of a new self levelling unit which in malaysian currency is very exhorbitant! Hopefully I could purchase it from the Internet and have it shipped here.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice rendered. I can be contacted via email at hafad84@pop.jaring.my

 

[TimN]

If the rear end always sags, even when driving then the self levelling valve is out of adjustment. If however the rear of the car raises when the engine is running and then sags again when the engine is leaking then there is an internal leak inside the valve unit. I have a photograph of all the components that are contained within the Mercedes Benz repair kit for the 123 series which might be of some help. There are a number of parts in the kit but only a couple of them are essential to repair the valve.

 

[Fadz124]

Dear Tim.
The back end definitely rises when the engine is running and sags when the engine stops. Coupled with that I could hear a "Whooosh" before the rear drops down. From what you have posted regarding this issue for others who had a similar problem, I think the valve is the culprit. I have tried looking under the car and noticed that the hydraulic fluid is leaking from the self levelling unit. But what I am curious about is that the part number stated on the unit starts with a 123... Does this mean that eventhough my car is a W124, the unit is from a W123? and could this be the reason that the unit is failing? Like I mentioned, I tried sourcing the repair kit but most of the large parts stores only stock the valve. Is there anyway that I could get hold of the repair kit?? My other puzzling query is that GSF and Eurocarparts stocks both the valve and a new self levelling unit. So which one should I purchase in case there is no hope of getting the repair kit? Tim if you could email me the process, I would be very grateful. That way I have some idea on what needs to be done. My local indy here knows only one solution i.e. replace the whole unit. But if I can get hold of the repair kit, he would gladly refurbish the whole thingamajig.Would be very grateful if you or anyone could help out with some pointers as it seems to be getting worse by the day. Sorry for the long post and thanks again for any help and advice rendered.

 

[TimN]

Having done the job a number of times now, I personally would not replace the valve. Doing this involves the disconnection of the flow and return pipes and the pipes to each of the spheres. With an ageing vehicle, the collars on the flairs of the pipes will have almost certainly bonded with the pipes thus causing the pipes to rotate when you attempt to undo them and eventually shear. This is not so much of a problem with the pipes to the spheres as they are standard break pipes that can be purchased at any motor factors but the flow and return pipes are a different matter and a job that could be done in an hour then takes a couple of days and a significant amount of cash.

It is not unusual to find the same parts on different vehicle models. Arguably the 123 was the best vehicle ever produced by MB and it is a privelege that you have parts from it fitted to your vehicle. You only have to look at the number of post concerning modern vehicles to realise that technology does not always get better, just cheaper to manufacture.

Sounds as though you have both internal and external leakage both of which are cased by wear on three rubber orings contained in the body of the valve. The external will be leakage past the two rings around the input shaft. This is easily repaired for about £40 and a couple of hours of your time. I will send you photos by email as I don't know how to attach them to these messages.

 

[Fadz124]

Thanks for that valuable piece of advice. Since replacing the valve is out of the question due to the possibility of damaging the pipes, how do I get hold of the O rings that comes with the repair kit? Am I able to purchase the rings from any spares shop or are they specifically made for the valve and would any O-Ring of equal size fit? Thanks for your offer to send me photos of the process as it will definitely come in handy. BTW, do you have any idea what are the ring sizes?I could probably scout around and find out whether they stock it locally as there are not too many MB estates over here Thanks again Tim for taking the time to help out. Regards.