w4sim

Iv been looking at a 2004 S55 recently that i want to buy and one of the first things i asked the chap over the phone was about the suspension.

Glad to hear he was a Merc enthusiast and knew what he was actually driving as opposed to someone who just jumps in to get from A to B.

Anyways, he knew about the whole suspension issues with these cars and he told me that about 3 years ago the ABC pump did indeed fail on the car and was replaced with an "updated" pump.

I didnt know there was such a pump. So how true is it? Did Mercedes make some revisions to these pumps to make them better?

Thanks.

mrbenzes

This is the first that I have heard of any improvements or changes.
Mike

w4sim

I think thats coz there are no updates or improvements.

Iv learnt from my side of the pond that around 2005/2006 Mercedes re-numbered some of their old part, so basically same part but with a newer part number on it.

So i think in this case when the pump was replaced it must have been replaced with one that had the new part number on it, causing some to think its an improved one.

John CL500

These pumps were indeed updated. The older ones are manufactured by LUK and the newer ones are made by Ixetic.

I am not sure when the switch was made but you can look at the top of the pump and read the label.

My 2004 CL500 has the older, LUK pump.

awiner

Pumps, valve blocks and hoses were all updated in 2009 or soon thereafter.

See:

babyman1737

awiner, what a great post!!

Any info on part numbers for the new units and if the part numbers changed from the old units? Thanks.

awiner

I believe part #'s are the same. This was a inline manufacture change/update therefore that would make sense to keep the same part #'s for interchangeability.

w4sim

Agreed, brilliant post from Adam.

But if those dates are right then i think i missed out on the updated pump as im sure mine was replaced in 2007/2008 sometime

amgfast

How much did it cost you for parts and labor on the new pump? I have an 04' and am aware that my time for replacement may be coming.

Thanks in advance for the information?

w4sim

Iv only just recently bought the car, but the history shows that the ABC pump was replaced in early 2007, when the car was just 3 years old, and with only 60,000 miles on the clock.

The work was done at a main dealership and it seems they must have either taken a soft spot to the owner or must have taken some serious abuse off him because all the invoice says is that he paid £700 for it, the rest was a goodwill gesture from Mercedes. Unfortunately it doesnt say how much they contributed to it. But i think the average price to replace a pump with parts and labour is about the £2,000 mark here.

Sorry i cant be of any further help, and hopefully i wont have to find out for myself.

carbizindio

I recently called the dealer on the abc tandem pump, the pump they offer is made by LUC. Are they trying to sell old stock? Should I be purchasing the Ixetic pump?

Sher Judge

With all my ABC experience, its mainly been the expansion hose. Regular flushing and servicing a must, reputable stealer only. ABC cars should never stand for longer than a month at a time.

Exotic-metal55

Thanks for the info!! I have my engine out right now, so this will help in updating a few items on the ABC!!