the88g

I've recently took ownership of a 2003 CL55, 82k miles. Fair condition with the cream leather interior, I'm pretty happy with it. Upgraded from a 2004 CLK270. The ride comfort and response is great. Cosmetically could do with some detailing.

The rear left starting sagging this morning and by the end of the day, the entire rear appears to be dipped. I am booking it in to get checked out and have prepared a budget just incase - have read enough horror stories!

I want to avoid further damage however I'm looking at a 10 day wait for inspection by an indie. Am I able to drive it?

It gets used daily for an 8 mile commute and there is no message on the dashboard.

Thoughts please.

tusabes

As long as it pumps back up when you turn it on it's ok , probably a leaky o ring in the valve block

You can keep driving it , if it pumps up and shows no error messages

the88g

Cheers tusabes. I'll keep an eye on it but yeah it is only while parked and returns to normal as soon as the vehicle is in gear.

the88g

Just to update. There are now 3 corners which are sagging. Yet it returns to normal once you move the vehicle. I've checked for liquid patches underneath the car and can't find any. The struts are dry. The ABC fluid is topped up to both levels (for when the car is cold and then when warm).

I will still be getting this checked out but should I be worried? What would cause all the corners (eventually) to just drop when parked for an hour?

biker349

how is the fluid? if it's really dirty, black, it could be clogging all the valve blocks, or it could be another problem. personally i wouldn't wait to have it checked. i'd either stop driving it, or find a qualified, honest mechanic to look it over. probably a valve block though. are you absolutely sure your fluid is at the correct levels?

the88g

Just had a quick look, used a tissue to check the dipstick twice, it is a green colour, although not as bright and vibrant as I've seen elsewhere in this forum. The fluid level is millimeters away from the top dip/indicator. Started the engine, no errors, drove around a bit, nothing funky happened with the ABC, raises and lowers with the button, no problems or unexpected noises.

Maybe it isn't sagging as bad as I think it is..

How close does the arch get to the wheel when it dips due to blocked valves? There is always at least an inch and a half from what I've seen but I've definitely seen the car leaning recently - every morning and every day after work.

Thank you guys, I really appreciate it.

tusabes

When a piece of dirt blocks a valve or an o ring goes out in the valve block there's no sealing

When you turn off the car the pump isn't providing pressure , and the valve isn't sealing properly , so the car drops. When the valves are good the pressure stays even when the car is off

Again you can drive if there's no errors but you should get it fixed

Welwynnick

Just remember to park with your front wheels straight.


Nick

the88g

Cheers guys. Having it looked at this weekend, earliest I could get.. but better than 10 days away.

fireman685

It's sounds like the valve blocks could use some freshening up. There's a forum member, jnash, that rebuilds them. He did both of mine but my rear one had other issues so bought a used one to replace it. My left rear would start to sink as soon as I would shut the car off. You'd have to remove them and ship them to him in Houston so your car would be down for a little bit, but he does it pretty quick. I was around the same miles when trouble started. If all the accumulators are original then I'd replace them too.

the88g

That would be really handy, unfortunately I'm located in the UK. Anyone near the Surrey county who has experience with rebuilding them??

Cheers fireman for the info.

fireman685

Ah. I forget how international this forum is haha.

the88g

Should I take it a Mercedes dealership? I was thinking the one in Guildford. I just went there to pick up some hydraulic fluid just in-case I need to top it up.

They will be able to look at it Monday but they might charge me a lot. It will be £90 alone for an inspection but at least I will get a loan car. Mercedes won't rebuild them will they? Only order brand new expensive parts. They also informed me that they haven't worked on this car before.. doesn't fill me with confidence.

tusabes

Its wise to have Mercedes diagnose the exact problem using their computers
If you have a local hydraulics /forklift repair shop they may be able to repair the parts , don't know if they will also remove and reinstall them

biker349

as far as i know the dealer won't rebuild anything. i guess liability, or profitability issue. i believe the valve blocks are around $1200 each from the dealer plus installation. probably total in the vicinity of $2000 for each valve block. if you can get them rebuilt and installed by an indie probably under $1000 each, but i'm just guessing.

Welwynnick

I can rebuild the valve block for you if you can remove it? But I guess thats a big if.

Nick

the88g

I appreciate the offer and yeah, in the first week of ownership, it is a big if, hopefully further down the line I feel more confident about DIY work on it. Where abouts are you located anyway?

I noticed a puddle on the floor Friday afternoon, checked the levels and they were lower, so I've topped it up and I haven't seen the problem since, it hasn't sagged on any corner.

Still getting it looked at Monday..

Welwynnick

I live in Welwyn, Herts.


Sinking struts are usually associated with internal ABC leaks, not external leaks.


Nick

biker349

if i remember correctly when the dealer has a car that sinks their protocol is to do a rodeo on it, change the micron filter, refill if necessary and rodeo again. i assume they feel that will break any clog loose and the micron filter will catch the debri. might work. if you have abc fluid under the car and a low reservoir be very wary! do not run your pump dry!

the88g

Thanks, noted. I'm sure that will happen tomorrow. I have been keeping an eye on the fluid levels, on and off and topping up when necessary (hasn't been more than half a litre so far).

the88g

I thought that Rodeo procedure and replacing the filters would have done it, but this morning I noticed it was dropped again. I got in the car and starting the engine brought it back up and there were no errors on the screen. I will continue to monitor...

tusabes

You're going to need to valve block rebuilt

biker349

what about the leak? you said you saw fluid on the ground and had to add fluid to the reservoir. did they actually do the rodeo and change the filter?

tusabes

Is the fluid spitting out of the top of the reservoir ? That's a bad accumulators

the88g

Friday I had the blocks taken apart, cleaned out, filter changed, rodeo, filter changed again and since has been good, but it has only been a few days I guess.

Had intercooler pump changed (Bosch 010 version) and alarm siren changed (kept flashing after lock). She is getting there!

Thanks everyone for your assistance. Now to the next issue.. (Trunk can't push itself up, but will go up with assistance and closes itself fine)