The Car suddenly levels itself - Leak?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
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.
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.
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From: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
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
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From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
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.
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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.
... 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.
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From: Toronto
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.
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Thread Starter
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From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
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.
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From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
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.
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; Sep 6, 2011 at 03:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Atlanta, GA
'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.
