CL55 AMG, CL65 AMG, CL63 AMG (C215, C216) 2000 - 2014 (Two Generations)

The Car suddenly levels itself - Leak?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-08-2011, 12:11 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Question The Car suddenly levels itself - Leak?

Since the car is new to me, I spend some time in the shade just idling so I can learn how to operate all the gizmos in the Comand system. (That Navigation is a pain.) And while I'm sitting there, it will suddenly relevel. It will move up substantially on one side or the other (I haven't really noticed if it is always in one direction or not). And I had it checked by a mechanic who claimed it had a leak in one of the pneumatic lines (I buried the lead on purpose as I really don't trust that guy based on some other things I found and his descriptions). So is this a symptom of leaking hydraulics? Or is it just a quirk? Any solid info is welcome.

And yes, I will soon take it to the dealer and talk to them about it, but I also saw where there was a recall on these lines, but the dealer told me I was up to date on recalls after looking up my VIN.

Anyway, to be clear, it doesn't ever do anything like this unless I am sitting still for a long time. Feels perfect on the road under any circumstances. And the "level lift" button works fine too.
Old 08-08-2011, 12:42 AM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
AMGTestDriverNJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
Posts: 1,608
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
86 190E 2.3-16v, 92 500E, 03 CL55 AMG, 08 E3504M Brabus
I would notice the car doing that also but only when it sat on pretty uneven terrain while idling. I think what is happening is the sensor is going nuts trying to readjust itself. I don't think its a big deal. Usually happens on on the side or corner that is sitting the lowest. I Think your fine is my .02
Old 08-08-2011, 03:47 AM
  #3  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Thaniks, I was wondering if it (the car) was just "over-thinking" the situation when it really didn't have anything to do. It probably has something to do with having no other dynamic input and one parameter just takes over after a while.
Old 08-08-2011, 10:24 AM
  #4  
alx
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
alx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Received 248 Likes on 214 Posts
no. they dont "overthink".

... but they do overpressure.

one of your valve blocks is "bleeding" pressure to one (or more) shocks so the car raises unintended on that (those) corners. at some point when it is too high it causes a re-level.

you are looking at a valve block replacement in the future.

there is a good chance that you can pinpoint which one it is as if it bleeds one way it most likely will bleed (deflate) the other when the tandem pump is not running - leave the car at its lowest setting for a day or two and observe. it will sag on one side and that valve block (front or rear) is the leaky one.
Old 08-08-2011, 10:30 AM
  #5  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
OK, end of speculation. Will get it to the shop.
Old 08-08-2011, 12:33 PM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
danlnyc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
04 CL55 (sold), 2012 CLS550 (sold), 2014 S550 (sold), 2015 ES300H (DAILY)
^ good idea haha. should get probably get that checked up before it causes bigger problems
Old 08-08-2011, 06:54 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
benz_addict's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1,985
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
V12TT
Same thing has been happening with my car. It just levels it self randomly when the car is still. Had the ABC sensors replaced (car was bouncing up and down rapidly on drivers side). I can see some pentosion fluid on the hose that's infront of the engine and the hose that's behind the steering rack near the transmission oil pan. Can't see where it's leaking from though.
Old 08-08-2011, 10:16 PM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
AMGTestDriverNJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
Posts: 1,608
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
86 190E 2.3-16v, 92 500E, 03 CL55 AMG, 08 E3504M Brabus
The suspension in our cars is awful haha its such a shame
Old 08-09-2011, 04:17 AM
  #9  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Originally Posted by AMGTestDriverNJ
The suspension in our cars is awful haha its such a shame
Sure, it may need some maintenance that more rudimentary systems don't need, but it is the best suspension I have ever experienced, by a mile. I'm old, and have owned and driven a lot of different vehicles. This suspension is like mind-reading magic.
Old 09-06-2011, 02:48 PM
  #10  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Update: The wife of a friend with the same car (and a very technically savvy wife (more of a wrench than 99% of those around here)) says that their CL has been doing that since the beginning. Most people never find out about it, but when her hubby runs into the store and she sits in the car with it running for a long time, it will suddenly re-level. She thought she was being carjacked the first time. But no other symptoms at all. And her car has been doing this for about 40,000 miles now. I'm guessing few of us have sat in our cars for 10 minutes with it idling, but that's what it takes to experience it. It doesn't seem to be a leak. The fluid is full. If it is a leak, it is a REALLY slow one. A technical friend also opined that it might just be a software gremlin, and that updating the system may resolve it (through the Star diagnostic gizmo).

Edit: And a few more relevant facts came to mind while I was running errands. It has never happened at a traffic light or in the bank drive-through. Now in those situations I have the car in Drive, and it has always happened in Park. And MOST IMPORTANTLY: The car never levels itself or raises up when I start it after it has been sitting. Even if it has been sitting for days. It sits dead level and stays there. So to me, all of that tells me to forget about it. If it really does reflect some problem, it will get worse and make itself known. Otherwise, it's just a ghost in the machine.

Last edited by JHouse; 09-06-2011 at 03:41 PM.
Old 09-08-2011, 03:42 AM
  #11  
Super Member
 
CharlestonN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
03' CL55 AMG
The car just gets board and decides to mess with you by giving you rodeo ride, it's a little known feature that these cars have
Old 09-08-2011, 10:24 AM
  #12  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Originally Posted by CharlestonN
The car just gets board and decides to mess with you by giving you rodeo ride, it's a little known feature that these cars have
Even on Rodeo Drive?
Old 09-16-2011, 04:13 PM
  #13  
Newbie
 
rsflynn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'03 CL55 ///AMG
I got my CL 55 AMG this spring (love it by the way). I live in Atlanta (North burbs) and it has been awfully hot. Anyway, find myself sitting with the car in idle waiting for kids from practice/bus stop etc. and it will relese pressure after about 10min also. I think this is just normal pressure release. I take my Benz to Blue Ridge Mercedes in Atlanta and Johnathan is the best. He checked my suspension and I'm all up to date on components. He had my car rodeoed on a machine, and recommends that get done annually to open and close all the valves in the suspension to clean them and work them out.
Old 09-16-2011, 04:15 PM
  #14  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
JHouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
Posts: 603
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Good to know. Thanks.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 1 votes, 5.00 average.

Quick Reply: The Car suddenly levels itself - Leak?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:56 AM.