Leaky abc reservoir?

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Sep 5, 2020 | 02:28 AM
  #1  
Hey guys I wiped down the abc reservoir and after a couple days it starts to look like this sort of like a leaky value cover but I have replaced my bad abc accumulator which was supposedly the reason behind it. Does it just do this because of its age?



Video:
Reply 0
Sep 5, 2020 | 01:41 PM
  #2  
If one is bad, there are probably other bad ones too.
Reply 0
Sep 5, 2020 | 02:15 PM
  #3  
The oil seep shown may not be a continuing leak.If oil was spilled in the cap while filling the reservoir, getting all the oil off the cap requires washing it out with solvent. You cannot just 'wipe it off'' because some oil is left behind the top gasket, and that will creep out.

And if that is the only oil seep, quick take a series of photos showing every potential leak location and share them. 99.9% of us have never seen a completely dry MBZ V-8 or V-12. MBZ continues to use a- RTV material in-place of conventional gaskets in most joints. GREAT IDEA, BUT!!!! because their CNC finishing machines do not leave a small 'gap'.between the 2,3,4 or 5 separate components meeting at a point, there is not enough room for any sealing material that will survive the continual thermal and stress loading caused differential expansion/shrinkage in the complex joint. Compounding this fundamental error in joint design, the aluminum alloys often have minor 'porosity' in the sealing surfaces and those are filled with oil during the machining processes and are not cleaned sufficiently to remove all the oil.. The RTV sealants WILL NOT ADHERE to oily surfaces. They will 'look good' but have very poor 'peel and un-stick' strength and will soon start to seep etc. etc. Remember there is no 'compression' in this joint to aid in sealing like there is in conventional gaskets. 'Sealing' a joint that will not allow oil to creep/seep through requires a good molecular BOND by the sealant to both surfaces to be sealed. Simply laying in there, fully cured with no compression force will not prevent oil or coolant from seeping out. These liquids are actually formulated with 'oiliness' additives,and 'wetting agents' to improve the lubricating performance in the moving surfaces.
Reply 0
Sep 5, 2020 | 06:33 PM
  #4  
Quote: If one is bad, there are probably other bad ones too.
Maybe but there is no red light that flashes like it used to
Reply 0
Sep 5, 2020 | 06:34 PM
  #5  
Quote: The oil seep shown may not be a continuing leak.If oil was spilled in the cap while filling the reservoir, getting all the oil off the cap requires washing it out with solvent. You cannot just 'wipe it off'' because some oil is left behind the top gasket, and that will creep out.

And if that is the only oil seep, quick take a series of photos showing every potential leak location and share them. 99.9% of us have never seen a completely dry MBZ V-8 or V-12. MBZ continues to use a- RTV material in-place of conventional gaskets in most joints. GREAT IDEA, BUT!!!! because their CNC finishing machines do not leave a small 'gap'.between the 2,3,4 or 5 separate components meeting at a point, there is not enough room for any sealing material that will survive the continual thermal and stress loading caused differential expansion/shrinkage in the complex joint. Compounding this fundamental error in joint design, the aluminum alloys often have minor 'porosity' in the sealing surfaces and those are filled with oil during the machining processes and are not cleaned sufficiently to remove all the oil.. The RTV sealants WILL NOT ADHERE to oily surfaces. They will 'look good' but have very poor 'peel and un-stick' strength and will soon start to seep etc. etc. Remember there is no 'compression' in this joint to aid in sealing like there is in conventional gaskets. 'Sealing' a joint that will not allow oil to creep/seep through requires a good molecular BOND by the sealant to both surfaces to be sealed. Simply laying in there, fully cured with no compression force will not prevent oil or coolant from seeping out. These liquids are actually formulated with 'oiliness' additives,and 'wetting agents' to improve the lubricating performance in the moving surfaces.
Yeah now that you say that when I replaced the accumulator and added fluid I spilled some so it might just be that, but the trail its leaving looks like its coming out from there.
Reply 1
Sep 24, 2020 | 05:54 PM
  #6  
My CL55 AMG's ABC and P/S reservoir caps had a similar appearance after purchasing it, so I went about neurotically cleaning the mating surfaces under the threaded cap, along with the cap itself (cleaned the hydraulic hose, backed the cap off up said hose some, and cleaned with several rounds of paper towels), and screwed back on a little harder than I was comfortable with. Viola, no more pentosin seeping!
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2020 | 02:58 PM
  #7  
if it happens again try putting the appropriate size o-ring under the cap. that should stop the leak. it did on mine.
Reply 1
Nov 5, 2020 | 06:52 PM
  #8  
Quote: if it happens again try putting the appropriate size o-ring under the cap. that should stop the leak. it did on mine.
yes, is easy skrew cap wrong back , and seal under cap get misplaced, my guess ,somone been up with this cap..
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