paul ram

I have a 2009 E350. The manual says the steering pump fluid is "Mercedes Power Steering Fluid" and in brackets under that ( Chevron/Texaco PSF 9109). The is no mention of Pentosin in the manual.
I went to the dealer with the manual with the intent to purchase the fluid that's in the book ( since I could not source it otherwise ). The parts guy came out with the blue can (Pentosin).
I told him this is green in color and the one in the car seems honey colored.
They did their research and gave me a printout that the Pentosin CHF 11s can be used in my car and in fact their service department tops off using it.
I raised my eyebrows about that The can says do not mix with other hydraulic fluid. So what's the deal here? I am inclined to do a flush and then replace with Pentosin. Someone care to chime in on this?
By the way the fluid in the reservoir looks very clean.

konigstiger

211 can use either Q1460001 non-synthetic (when new, light yellow) or Pentosin Q1320001 synthetic (green) deciding factor is cost Q146 is cheaper Q132 is required for for vehicles equipped with ABC (211 does not have ABC). I would not mix fluids - your call.

BTW search for "Pentosin": https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...id-colour.html

paul ram

Not mixing is what I was thinking..so I will run pentosin through and hopefully I will get most of the original stuff out. Cant believe the dealer tops off with Pentosin in a non pentosin car. Maybe there is more to the story. What is the other one you mentioned..a MB product as well? Perhaps that's the one in the grey plastic bottle labeled Mercedes power steering fluid ?

konigstiger

Yes, and yes.

paul ram

I think the best thing to do here is get the service record , as I am the third owner, to see if a flush was done previously and what it was replaced with. I have read elsewhere that with time the green colored pentosin does not stay green . When I dip a q tip and hold it up to the light the drop at the tip does look honey colored , letting me think its not pentosin. perhaps if another member could chime in and let me have an idea as to what their fluid looks like, assuming of course that pentosin is what is in their system. This morning was cool enough here in S.FL and the tip of the dipstick was just barely wet with fluid. However when I got back from an errand the level , now hot fluid , was at the minimum for the 20degree cooler level . So I could do with a top up .At the moment everything seems fine as far as the steering is concerned. The parts guy at the dealership was really pushing the pentosin saying if I used the other one then my seals would be ruined. For the moment I will hold off adding anything till I am certain.Regards

vettdvr

Napa sells the fluid but normally keeps it on the back shelf. The Pentosin will work well.

paul ram

I am taking a sample of the fluid to the service department so they can tell me for sure which one I have in my system. I will not mix . My understanding is that the pentosin is synthetic and the other is not. Besides there is wording on the pentosin can that says do not mix with other hydraulic fluid. If I recall , there isn't a requirement to flush the system for any of the particular fluids unless there is a fluid loss for any reason and a repair is done . Nevertheless I would not mind siphoning as much as I can out of the reservoir and topping off. That's just me.

vettdvr

Empty the tank refill run engine turn wheels L and R to cycle fluid through steering unit and repeat do this three times. You could do it drive a day and repeat your choice.

paul ram

Well,
The service department says it is Pentosin from the sample taken from my reservoir. The color changed that much over 5 years , from a green to a dark honey color. I think I am going to flush as much fluid out of the system with pentosin , just in case.

paul ram

I was able to take a sample from a 2006 BMW 325i that had pentosin in its steering pump reservoir. The color was identical to what's in mine. So its time for a flush !!

paul ram

The old sample might have been in the vehicle since new ( ?)