Hydraulic Fluid Leak - Roof or Brakes

[Curr946]

Hi all, first post so go easy.
I picked up a 2001 CLK 320 convertible off a mate who owed me some money. Took it to the mechanics for a check over and they said it needed a flex hose which was done. Clean MOT. Month later the roof struggling to go up and down, sounds like the pump is struggling. Here's the kicker, I've spotted a fluid leak (smelt it and its hydraulic oil) at the rear of the car just before the back passengers wheel. Brakes feel fine etc, no dropping peddle etc. So could the leak be from the roof pump? Where do you top up the hydraulics for the roof, I've googled it, but mostly newer cars popping up. Or, is the leak likely to be a brake line, and the roof issue just coincidence?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[LostKiwi]

HOWTO: CLK 230 Convertible - topping up the hydraulic fluid - w208 PT1

HOWTO: CLK 230 Convertible - topping up the hydraulic fluid - w208 think this post maybe better in the how too not sure tho! --------------------------------- following carried out on a 1998 clk230 convertible --------------------------------- first you need to open the roof and stop...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[mioba]

Leaking brake lines are easy to spot, follow the lines.
Good luck with the pump of thats the cause.
Do post back.

 

[Wighty]

Hi all, first post so go easy.
I picked up a 2001 CLK 320 convertible off a mate who owed me some money. Took it to the mechanics for a check over and they said it needed a flex hose which was done. Clean MOT. Month later the roof struggling to go up and down, sounds like the pump is struggling. Here's the kicker, I've spotted a fluid leak (smelt it and its hydraulic oil) at the rear of the car just before the back passengers wheel. Brakes feel fine etc, no dropping peddle etc. So could the leak be from the roof pump? Where do you top up the hydraulics for the roof, I've googled it, but mostly newer cars popping up. Or, is the leak likely to be a brake line, and the roof issue just coincidence?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Inside the left of the boot space , is there a removable lining panel which has the pump behind ? My later model CLK has the pump here .

 

[davidwilson]

As above - look behind the squarish pull-out panel in the LHS of the boot lining. The fluid reservoir for the roof is there and I'd bet that the fluid level is low. Most likely candidate is one of the two main rams - visible from the top when the tonneau cover and roof bow (back window) are about as upright as they go. You'll probably find that the bottom end of one is wet - if they leak, the fluid drips down inside the quarter panel and doesn't show on the garage floor until the reservoir is half empty.
New cylinders are outrageously expensive from M-B, and not often available. I got refurbished ones from Klaus at Top Hydraulics in Oregon (he does a brilliant exchange service to the UK)
Let us know what you find - but that's what it was on my CLK 320...
Cheers
David

 

[Wighty]

As above - look behind the squarish pull-out panel in the LHS of the boot lining. The fluid reservoir for the roof is there and I'd bet that the fluid level is low. Most likely candidate is one of the two main rams - visible from the top when the tonneau cover and roof bow (back window) are about as upright as they go. You'll probably find that the bottom end of one is wet - if they leak, the fluid drips down inside the quarter panel and doesn't show on the garage floor until the reservoir is half empty.
New cylinders are outrageously expensive from M-B, and not often available. I got refurbished ones from Klaus at Top Hydraulics in Oregon (he does a brilliant exchange service to the UK)
Let us know what you find - but that's what it was on my CLK 320...
Cheers
David

I watched a lot of his YouTube stuff when I had a CLK roof sensor problem . I never knew he did refurb parts to the UK , cheers for the heads up buddy

 

[alexanderfoti]

It's common for the rams to leak in the section behind the rear seats. An utter pain to get to as the rear window and mechanism needs to come out upwards through a letterbox shaped slot.

If you look inside the window opening, you will often see the hydraulic fluid pooling.

 

[davidwilson]

Wighty said "I watched a lot of his YouTube stuff when I had a CLK roof sensor problem . I never knew he did refurb parts to the UK , cheers for the heads up buddy"
Everyone is very welcoe - anyone who tries as hard as Klaus (in Oregon, no less - deserves all the publicity he can get.
(Found him on the US CLK forum on Benzworld. More people, so more problems and more fixes!