SBC Pressure accumulator Problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Mercedes E320 2004
SBC Pressure accumulator Problem
Hi All,
I know I am very very late in discussing this. I have a 2004 E320 and it showed the service brake warning about 4 years ago. My Mechanic diagnosed it and told me it is sorted out which i knew later that he reset the counter and thus the warning was eliminated. 1 month ago it showed the warning again, I went to another mechanic who diagnosed it and it should pressure reservoir. He flushed the system and changed the brake fluid but still the warning exists. He advised that in this case it is better to change the whole SBC unit (1500 USD) rather than changing the reservoir only (150 USD) as changing the reservoir will only eliminate the warning for few month and then the pump will fail suddenly with the risk of no brakes totally. Another one told me that I can change the reservoir it can work for more additional years.
Any advise from anyone who is expert in this or passed through the same? Should i proceed with the reservoir only and save the 1300 USD now or should I go for the full SBC?
I know I am very very late in discussing this. I have a 2004 E320 and it showed the service brake warning about 4 years ago. My Mechanic diagnosed it and told me it is sorted out which i knew later that he reset the counter and thus the warning was eliminated. 1 month ago it showed the warning again, I went to another mechanic who diagnosed it and it should pressure reservoir. He flushed the system and changed the brake fluid but still the warning exists. He advised that in this case it is better to change the whole SBC unit (1500 USD) rather than changing the reservoir only (150 USD) as changing the reservoir will only eliminate the warning for few month and then the pump will fail suddenly with the risk of no brakes totally. Another one told me that I can change the reservoir it can work for more additional years.
Any advise from anyone who is expert in this or passed through the same? Should i proceed with the reservoir only and save the 1300 USD now or should I go for the full SBC?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
Last time I checked the pressure reservoir alone with about $700 or more. Because those SBC pumps were such an issue back when those cars first came out, I'd personally just do the whole unit and not have to worry about it again. By just doing the pressure reservoir you can probably get by for another few years, but if next month the pump or electronics in the unit fail, you are out the whole cost of replacement again. Sometimes it is worth it to spend a little extra and have the (now 2 yrs/24k mile) warranty from MB for replacement of important parts like this. If you have never experience brake failure in an SBC car when the pump fails, you only have 20% manual braking and only to the front wheels.. VERY unnerving when trying to avoid vehicles around you and stop without hitting anything.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 998
Likes: 70
From: Oakland
W210 DRFT BNZ
Your prices seem high, here are some links to FCP Euro to make sure you're not getting ripped off:
SBC for less than $1000: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...r-009431261288
Reservoir for less than $100: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...bmw-0004302694
SBC for less than $1000: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...r-009431261288
Reservoir for less than $100: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...bmw-0004302694
