03 E500 Hydraulic Pressure Reservoir
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2
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Mercedes E500 2003
03 E500 Hydraulic Pressure Reservoir
I have a mercedes E500 03 with 150k miles on it. it has a brake warning in white on the screen and i went to a mercedes dealer thinking it was the sbc hydraulic unit and they would fix it under the warranty but it turned out to be the Hydraulic Pressure Reservoir and it costs 1200$. 
my question is what does this part do and how important is it and will it affect the car if i didn't fix it ?
and where can i buy one used or cheaper ?
thanks
my question is what does this part do and how important is it and will it affect the car if i didn't fix it ?
and where can i buy one used or cheaper ?
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Accumulators are used to provide a surge to have smooth application of pressure. W/o going through the system the electric pump supplies pressure which stores in an accumulator to provide capacity when needed.
YES you need one.
YES you need one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I can't answer on MB brakes but I do know in the systems I have designed that without accumuilator massive stress can be put on lines and result in line failure therefore system failure. I can specualte on the design that if you depress the pedal use all the stored pressure then have to have a 2nd application the system might not have adequate pressure when you need it and then have longer stopping distance.
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 4
From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
Yes
The main questions are
(a) how many different ways can it fail and
(b) are any of them really ugly to your safety and that of others?
I think the answers are
(a) several and
(b) yes, some failure modes will be ugly
I suggest you get it fixed.
