ABC Fluid Flush
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
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From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
ABC Fluid Flush
It was mentioned here that to flush the ABC system, disconnect the return hose and place it in a container to capture the expelling fluid. Then start the engine and keep the reservoir topped of while the old fluid is pumped from the system. Continue this until the fluid comes out clean. My question is, what kind of pressure can you expect from the return line?
I tried this with the power steering system on my Lincoln and the fluid went flying all over the place due to the high amount of pressure. I then disconnected the coil wire and just turned the engine over with the starter. This pumped the old fluid out with low pressure and no mess. Is this possible with the CL or is the pressure maintained in the ABC system low enough where the flush can be performed without a mess?
I tried this with the power steering system on my Lincoln and the fluid went flying all over the place due to the high amount of pressure. I then disconnected the coil wire and just turned the engine over with the starter. This pumped the old fluid out with low pressure and no mess. Is this possible with the CL or is the pressure maintained in the ABC system low enough where the flush can be performed without a mess?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 861
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From: Fairfield county, CT.
2004 Ran SRT-10,2007 S550,2016 E400c
About 3000psi very high presure so you probably dont want to try that method.. The proper way is to use the mercedes star diag. machine and the four bleeder screws by each shock. There are other ways but fluid will be everywhere and also the abc pump is never to be run dry or it could get damaged
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 86
From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
About 3000psi very high presure so you probably dont want to try that method.. The proper way is to use the mercedes star diag. machine and the four bleeder screws by each shock. There are other ways but fluid will be everywhere and also the abc pump is never to be run dry or it could get damaged
Good luck
Good luck
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Oct 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 861
Likes: 3
From: Fairfield county, CT.
2004 Ran SRT-10,2007 S550,2016 E400c
there are a few options, you can jump the starter relay in the fuse box just make sure you jump it with the a fused jumper. or you can simply pull the fuel pump relay and use the key. two things to keep in mind try not to crank the starter for more than 30-45 seconds at a time , its not good for the motor and the pump still can not go dry at all even at low speeds it could damage the pump.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
Absolutely wrong information...
The return line for the ABC tank is not and can not possibly be 3000psi. The system is pressurized to 3000psi for the struts, but the return line is not pressurized at all.
Once you turn your car on, there will be barely any fluid that comes out from the return. You will need to press the vehicle level control button on the dashboard and raise/lower the vehicle many times for the all of the fluid to come out.
You will need two people to do this. One person sits in the car and presses the button to get the fluid moving and the other watches the tank to make sure there is enough fluid.
The above method is how the procedure is to be performed as I've been taught and as Mercedes describes in their technical procedures.
The return line for the ABC tank is not and can not possibly be 3000psi. The system is pressurized to 3000psi for the struts, but the return line is not pressurized at all.
Once you turn your car on, there will be barely any fluid that comes out from the return. You will need to press the vehicle level control button on the dashboard and raise/lower the vehicle many times for the all of the fluid to come out.
You will need two people to do this. One person sits in the car and presses the button to get the fluid moving and the other watches the tank to make sure there is enough fluid.
The above method is how the procedure is to be performed as I've been taught and as Mercedes describes in their technical procedures.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,455
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From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
The whole idea of jump starting the starter or just turning the motor over without the car running is simply ludicrous and would not work.
When the car is off and ABC is passive the valve blocks close and the fluid stays locked, what ever remains in the lines is released back into the tank in about 10 minutes or so.
If you crank the motor or turn the pump over manually, the valves are still closed since the engine is no running so the fluid would not flow anywhere.
When the car is off and ABC is passive the valve blocks close and the fluid stays locked, what ever remains in the lines is released back into the tank in about 10 minutes or so.
If you crank the motor or turn the pump over manually, the valves are still closed since the engine is no running so the fluid would not flow anywhere.
