ABC Accumulator life span
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
ABC Accumulator life span
My accumulators were all four replaced in 2012 about 25k miles ago. Car now has 70,000 miles.
While waiting on parts for my coil issue, thought I would lay out a plan of preventative maintenance for other issues. I have already purchased the better filter, and a supply of pentosin for the ABC system. I am thinking that if an accumulator fails it is almost certainly going to take a hose with it.
Anyone track the lifespan of these accumulators. They look to be the same as the ones that were on my rear SLS on my 83 BMW 745i. Also look very similar to the "nitrogen ball" accumulator on BMW hydroboost brakes, other than no brackets. All made by Bilstein / Febi. The BMW brake hydroboost accumulator has a lifespan of about 10 years.
Not ready to replace the four on the CL600 after only 4 years, but was thinking 7 years would be a good interval.
Thoughts?
While waiting on parts for my coil issue, thought I would lay out a plan of preventative maintenance for other issues. I have already purchased the better filter, and a supply of pentosin for the ABC system. I am thinking that if an accumulator fails it is almost certainly going to take a hose with it.
Anyone track the lifespan of these accumulators. They look to be the same as the ones that were on my rear SLS on my 83 BMW 745i. Also look very similar to the "nitrogen ball" accumulator on BMW hydroboost brakes, other than no brackets. All made by Bilstein / Febi. The BMW brake hydroboost accumulator has a lifespan of about 10 years.
Not ready to replace the four on the CL600 after only 4 years, but was thinking 7 years would be a good interval.
Thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Accumulators tend to have more benign failure than hoses, which can let go catastrophically and without warning. The hoses in the engine compartment seem to be most vulnerable, due to the heat. Remove all the plastic covers, top and bottom, and inspect every hose. If one of the joints is leaking, that's good warning of an imminent failure. There's no predicting when it will be, though.
Nick
Nick
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
All of them?!?! There's at least 25 of them. That's extraordinary. You're good to go.
I would strongly recommend wrapping all the hoses in the engine compartment with aluminised fibreglass heat shield sleeve. That will protect them very effectively.
Nick
I would strongly recommend wrapping all the hoses in the engine compartment with aluminised fibreglass heat shield sleeve. That will protect them very effectively.
Nick
Last edited by Welwynnick; Jan 27, 2016 at 06:04 PM.
