Hey guys , so im fairly new with the Sl320 and i love it , i noticed a leak today on the Rear Side of the Right Tire and was wondering what it is.
here are the pictures : https://imgur.com/g0fT6wz,oInpQQK#0

 

Most likely hydraulic oil from one or more of the soft top operating cylinders--failure of the cylinder rod seals is common.

The fix is having the cylinders rebuilt--check out Top Hydraulics they are the best in the business...

 

many of us rebuild all when one leaks. Top Hydraulics offers a quick economical rebuild of your cylinders. I personally waited longer than most because I enjoyed the MB auto seat oil conditioner feature that the high end 600 offers!!!
Klaus Witt has helped many of us.

 

M7mddxb,

I think the photo you referenced shows a leak in front of the right rear tire. That would be a leak from either the right main lift cylinder 1298000272, the right bow extension cylinder 1248000272, or the right tonneau cover lock cylinder 1298000072.

The second and/or third page of our DIY instructions for cylinder removal always covers inspection for leaks: http://www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/c...y-instructions (scroll down to Mercedes R129).

Model years' '90-'96 have 12 cylinders, and model years '97-'02 have eleven cylinders. Starting with fairly early model year '97, the left tonneau cover lock was eliminated.

Fluid leaking from any one of the nine or ten cylinders in the rear will eventually end up on the garage floor, given enough fluid volume leaking. You can check the cylinders now, assuming that your top still moves. If the pump is out of fluid already, then add a little just for inspecting the cylinders. (Use Febi 02615 or Mercedes fluid A0009899103 - the pump with reservoir is located under the spare tire).

Simply stop the opening or closing cycle when the tonneau cover (storage cover) is open, and take a very close look on top of those cylinders that you can find. The easiest ones to locate are the rear lock and tonneau lift cylinders at the rear of the storage compartment. They will leak first where the chromed shaft comes out of the cylinder housing. Since they are mounted upright, it will be fairly easy to see fluid pooling on top of the cylinders. Do not expect a large pool of fluid - a drop of oil on top is enough to indicate that the seals are close to blowing out.

Next, try to locate the tonneau cover lock cylinders and the main lift cylinders. Again, they are mounted upright and fairly easy to inspect. The two bow extension cylinders are harder to locate, and they don't develop fluid pools on them, so you may skip them.

If you find ANY of the nine or ten rear cylinders leaking, then all cylinders with original seals are going to fail in short order. I am witnessing this every day.

The four cylinders mounted in the rear of the soft top storage compartment drain towards the rear, and fluid will drip behind the rear tires:
2x Rear locking cylinder p/n A 129 800 21 72 (or p/n A 129 800 00 72 in model years '90/'91)
2x Tonneau cover lift cylinder p/n A 129 800 20 72

The two main lift cylinders, two fabric bow extension cylinders, and one or two tonneau cover lock cylinders (quantity depending on model year) will eventually drain in front of the rear tires:
2x Main lift cylinder p/n A 129 800 02 72
1x Left bow extension cylinder A 129 800 17 72
1x Right bow extension cylinder p/n A 124 800 02 72 (or p/n A 129 800 18 72 in model years 90/91)
1 or 2x Tonneau cover lock cylinder p/n A 129 800 00 72 (EPC will erroneously tell you to replace them with p/n A 129 800 21 72)

Klaus
Top Hydraulics



Location of all eleven or twelve hydraulic cylinders plus pump in your Mercedes R129 SL-Class convertible