Originally Posted by SLR199 (Post 2564381)

Without even seeing the vehicle, I can almost assure you its coming from the upper power steering hose. It runs from the rack to the top of the radiator. It is supposed to be covered for 150,000 miles. The hoses supplied from the factory are garbage, and the replacement hoses are actually a good bit better, yet tend to follow the same fate as their predecessors. Chances are it was replaced once under warranty already. Just my opinion. Might want to check that hose out.

Originally Posted by mihir_d (Post 2564400)

There was certainly a power steering hose & clamp replaced under warranty around 30K miles. Which one, I don't remember now. When the dealer infored me about the leak last year through the 100K miles service, he had quoted it as a $180 fix and so it is certainly not the rack or the pump. My reservoir's outer surface does stay a bit damp, but that is normal with a lot of cars, and the drip location is not right beneath it.

I will have to go back and pull last year's paperwork. I think, the mechanic had left notes on the paperwork about what the cause of the leak was, if not they might even have the cause documented under the vehicle's service history.

I will just return the $10 solution back to Autozone. That Lucas fluid is certainly not the right approach to this problem.

Thanks all for your input...will keep you posted about what the real problem was.

Originally Posted by mihir_d (Post 2564400)

There was certainly a power steering hose & clamp replaced under warranty around 30K miles. Which one, I don't remember now. When the dealer infored me about the leak last year through the 100K miles service, he had quoted it as a $180 fix and so it is certainly not the rack or the pump. My reservoir's outer surface does stay a bit damp, but that is normal with a lot of cars, and the drip location is not right beneath it.

I will have to go back and pull last year's paperwork. I think, the mechanic had left notes on the paperwork about what the cause of the leak was, if not they might even have the cause documented under the vehicle's service history.

I will just return the $10 solution back to Autozone. That Lucas fluid is certainly not the right approach to this problem.

Thanks all for your input...will keep you posted about what the real problem was.

Originally Posted by SLR199 (Post 2564381)

Without even seeing the vehicle, I can almost assure you its coming from the upper power steering hose. It runs from the rack to the top of the radiator. It is supposed to be covered for 150,000 miles. The hoses supplied from the factory are garbage, and the replacement hoses are actually a good bit better, yet tend to follow the same fate as their predecessors. Chances are it was replaced once under warranty already. Just my opinion. Might want to check that hose out.

Originally Posted by bettyboop (Post 2565461)

Scary that your power steering fluid is leaking. I went to start my '03 ML350 this afternoon, heard a strange noise, and then the steering wheel wouldn't turn. I got out and looked and there was fluid streaming out. Unfortunately, the service dept is closed until Wed so the ML will have to stay parked on the hill. It'll be interesting how we're going to tow it to the dealership. I'm pretty sure this will be covered under warranty as I bought my ML350 as a CPO in Sept and I've barely driven 3000 miles since.

Originally Posted by mihir_d (Post 2566350)

Took it to the dealer today...they opened up the service history...it was documented as a leak between the reservoir and the pump.

$180 to replace the reservoir and refill new fluid.

I asked, why replace the whole reservoir when only O ring can be replaced? Was given 2 reasons.

1. Cost of reservoir is a mere $32
2. Reservoir has an irreplaceable power steering fluid filter which is probably clogged enough at 100K miles to justify a replacement.

Just got it done today...nice to be at peace of mind...

Originally Posted by cmitch (Post 2606193)

$180? Whew! Both ML's had reservoirs that are/were leaking. I still need to do the 99ML430 but I replaced the 2002ML320 about 2 months ago. The reservoir was cracked on it but I believe it's just the o-ring on the 99. It's about a 45 minute job.

Originally Posted by mihir_d (Post 2563750)

I was diagnosed with a very minor power steering fluid leak last year through my 100K mile service.

The leak was so little, my SA advised just to ignore it for now & worry about it only when it gets a little bigger..

Its been a year now, and although the leak doesn't seem to have gotten any worse, it is a steady annoyance...2-3 drops over night...a small puddle if left parked for a week and so on. Replenishing needed every 3-4 months.

I was at the local autozone today, and just happened to discuss this issue with one of their reps. They first confirmed that the power steering fluid that the ML uses is of non-mineral type and then recommended, I try this product from Hi-Performance Lucas - it is power steering fluid that when put in the reservoir is supposed to plug minor leaks. I bought the bottle because it was only about $10, but am sceptical of putting non-MB fluids in the vehicle.

Here's link at the lucas website about their product:
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=2&loc=show

Does anyone have any experiences with putting non-MB power steering fluid in the truck, that they might want to share?

Originally Posted by ruey220 (Post 2564319)

my goodness, plug a leak with a fluid that stops leaks is like a clot in the blood to stop a bleeding vein. that is like poison to your car's vital organ. don't also believe the dealer in when he says don't worry about the leak, because he rather have your power steering pump have fluid starvation and then sell you a pump or rack for $1000.

i tell you these dealers have such high overhead expenses, they need to get at least $10k profit from each of their customers annually to pay off their marble floors, all glass showroom, and granite countertops.

Originally Posted by drdoruk (Post 5837154)

hello,
2006 ML 350 75,000miles
At several oil changes, I've been told before that "the power steering fluid tank is leaking from top". I have moved to a new condo, and they are a bit meticulous about leaks in the parking lot. I had no leaking issues, however, since I have had a new oil change and they topped off the fluids, I got a warning to fix it from the condo management.

I tried to wait it our until it leaks the excess, but it's not stopping :( One thing comes to my mind is to lower the level of power steering fluid. Or the wise way might be just getting it fixed. I have taken a price from the highly rated oil change place and they quoted me $80 for the parts + $150 for labor. I called the mercedes service and I was told there was an update to the part so I have to change both the tank and the pump totaling something close to $1000.

I was thinking maybe it's just the seal or the o-ring that causes the leak. but I coudln't get to open the tank, it doesn't simply unscrew, and I was late for work didn't want to get my hands dirty trying to figure it out.

I believe prices on amazon would be way cheaper. But this call to service threw in a monkey wrench :(
What do you guys recommend?
Thanks!

Originally Posted by ruey220 (Post 2564319)

my goodness, plug a leak with a fluid that stops leaks is like a clot in the blood to stop a bleeding vein. that is like poison to your car's vital organ. don't also believe the dealer in when he says don't worry about the leak, because he rather have your power steering pump have fluid starvation and then sell you a pump or rack for $1000.

i tell you these dealers have such high overhead expenses, they need to get at least $10k profit from each of their customers annually to pay off their marble floors, all glass showroom, and granite countertops.

Originally Posted by ruey220 (Post 2564319)

my goodness, plug a leak with a fluid that stops leaks is like a clot in the blood to stop a bleeding vein. that is like poison to your car's vital organ. don't also believe the dealer in when he says don't worry about the leak, because he rather have your power steering pump have fluid starvation and then sell you a pump or rack for $1000.

i tell you these dealers have such high overhead expenses, they need to get at least $10k profit from each of their customers annually to pay off their marble floors, all glass showroom, and granite countertops.