SL/R230: ABC Filter Maintenance
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,493
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
ABC Filter Maintenance
This summer, I started to get the dreaded ABC workshop warning, and then vehicle too low warning. So, I did a rodeo flush. But after about 500 miles, I started to get the overnight drop. So, I replaced all the seals and o-rings in the front valve block, which fixed the problem.
A couple of weeks ago, I would notice that when I started the car in the morning and began to drive, it seemed the front end would rise a little. This only happened when the car sat over night and not during the day. It is interesting because my car sits during the day as long as it does over night, so the temperature changes may have something to do with it.
I never got any warnings or anything, but I started to become concerned. It's been about 5500 miles since I rebuilt the valve block and 6000 since the rodeo flush. The previous owner had had two flushes at approximately 33,000 miles and 43,000 miles. I did my flush this summer at 62,500 miles.
Instead of a new rodeo flush, I decided just to swap the ABC filter since the hydraulic fluid is still good. I used an aftermarket filter of OEM quality. (Mercedes-Benz Hydraulic Self-Levelling Oil Filter W/ ABC Premium 0036101)
These are about $15 shipped versus the genuine MB filters. I'm figuring that if I want to replace filters every 5500-6000 miles, these will work. I figure that the hydraulic fluid will be good for a couple of years and that it is an unnecessary expense and waste of good CHF11s fluid.
It's been several days and absolutely no settlement or drop. I will keep everyone one informed if things should change, but I thought that I'd share this as a much cheaper and easier alternative to flushes or valve block rebuilds.
A couple of weeks ago, I would notice that when I started the car in the morning and began to drive, it seemed the front end would rise a little. This only happened when the car sat over night and not during the day. It is interesting because my car sits during the day as long as it does over night, so the temperature changes may have something to do with it.
I never got any warnings or anything, but I started to become concerned. It's been about 5500 miles since I rebuilt the valve block and 6000 since the rodeo flush. The previous owner had had two flushes at approximately 33,000 miles and 43,000 miles. I did my flush this summer at 62,500 miles.
Instead of a new rodeo flush, I decided just to swap the ABC filter since the hydraulic fluid is still good. I used an aftermarket filter of OEM quality. (Mercedes-Benz Hydraulic Self-Levelling Oil Filter W/ ABC Premium 0036101)
These are about $15 shipped versus the genuine MB filters. I'm figuring that if I want to replace filters every 5500-6000 miles, these will work. I figure that the hydraulic fluid will be good for a couple of years and that it is an unnecessary expense and waste of good CHF11s fluid.
It's been several days and absolutely no settlement or drop. I will keep everyone one informed if things should change, but I thought that I'd share this as a much cheaper and easier alternative to flushes or valve block rebuilds.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 134
Benz
This summer, I started to get the dreaded ABC workshop warning, and then vehicle too low warning. So, I did a rodeo flush. But after about 500 miles, I started to get the overnight drop. So, I replaced all the seals and o-rings in the front valve block, which fixed the problem.
A couple of weeks ago, I would notice that when I started the car in the morning and began to drive, it seemed the front end would rise a little. This only happened when the car sat over night and not during the day. It is interesting because my car sits during the day as long as it does over night, so the temperature changes may have something to do with it.
I never got any warnings or anything, but I started to become concerned. It's been about 5500 miles since I rebuilt the valve block and 6000 since the rodeo flush. The previous owner had had two flushes at approximately 33,000 miles and 43,000 miles. I did my flush this summer at 62,500 miles.
Instead of a new rodeo flush, I decided just to swap the ABC filter since the hydraulic fluid is still good. I used an aftermarket filter of OEM quality. (Mercedes-Benz Hydraulic Self-Levelling Oil Filter W/ ABC Premium 0036101)
These are about $15 shipped versus the genuine MB filters. I'm figuring that if I want to replace filters every 5500-6000 miles, these will work. I figure that the hydraulic fluid will be good for a couple of years and that it is an unnecessary expense and waste of good CHF11s fluid.
It's been several days and absolutely no settlement or drop. I will keep everyone one informed if things should change, but I thought that I'd share this as a much cheaper and easier alternative to flushes or valve block rebuilds.
A couple of weeks ago, I would notice that when I started the car in the morning and began to drive, it seemed the front end would rise a little. This only happened when the car sat over night and not during the day. It is interesting because my car sits during the day as long as it does over night, so the temperature changes may have something to do with it.
I never got any warnings or anything, but I started to become concerned. It's been about 5500 miles since I rebuilt the valve block and 6000 since the rodeo flush. The previous owner had had two flushes at approximately 33,000 miles and 43,000 miles. I did my flush this summer at 62,500 miles.
Instead of a new rodeo flush, I decided just to swap the ABC filter since the hydraulic fluid is still good. I used an aftermarket filter of OEM quality. (Mercedes-Benz Hydraulic Self-Levelling Oil Filter W/ ABC Premium 0036101)
These are about $15 shipped versus the genuine MB filters. I'm figuring that if I want to replace filters every 5500-6000 miles, these will work. I figure that the hydraulic fluid will be good for a couple of years and that it is an unnecessary expense and waste of good CHF11s fluid.
It's been several days and absolutely no settlement or drop. I will keep everyone one informed if things should change, but I thought that I'd share this as a much cheaper and easier alternative to flushes or valve block rebuilds.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
This makes me wonder if "exercising" the system is better than letting it sit unused. Almost every day, I use the center console button on mine to lift the car. Maybe this helps keep the fluid flowing?
Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 25
From: Plymouth, MA
2008 SL550
Funny, I do the same thing. Once in a while, the front will lift not totally even during rise but will stabilize at full extent. She will operate normally when I cycle through a second time so I typically hit the button 2-3 times and she seems happy...
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 954
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
This summer, I started to get the dreaded ABC workshop warning, and then vehicle too low warning. So, I did a rodeo flush. But after about 500 miles, I started to get the overnight drop. So, I replaced all the seals and o-rings in the front valve block, which fixed the problem.
A couple of weeks ago, I would notice that when I started the car in the morning and began to drive, it seemed the front end would rise a little. This only happened when the car sat over night and not during the day. It is interesting because my car sits during the day as long as it does over night, so the temperature changes may have something to do with it.
I never got any warnings or anything, but I started to become concerned. It's been about 5500 miles since I rebuilt the valve block and 6000 since the rodeo flush. The previous owner had had two flushes at approximately 33,000 miles and 43,000 miles. I did my flush this summer at 62,500 miles.
Instead of a new rodeo flush, I decided just to swap the ABC filter since the hydraulic fluid is still good. I used an aftermarket filter of OEM quality. (Mercedes-Benz Hydraulic Self-Levelling Oil Filter W/ ABC Premium 0036101)
These are about $15 shipped versus the genuine MB filters. I'm figuring that if I want to replace filters every 5500-6000 miles, these will work. I figure that the hydraulic fluid will be good for a couple of years and that it is an unnecessary expense and waste of good CHF11s fluid.
It's been several days and absolutely no settlement or drop. I will keep everyone one informed if things should change, but I thought that I'd share this as a much cheaper and easier alternative to flushes or valve block rebuilds.
A couple of weeks ago, I would notice that when I started the car in the morning and began to drive, it seemed the front end would rise a little. This only happened when the car sat over night and not during the day. It is interesting because my car sits during the day as long as it does over night, so the temperature changes may have something to do with it.
I never got any warnings or anything, but I started to become concerned. It's been about 5500 miles since I rebuilt the valve block and 6000 since the rodeo flush. The previous owner had had two flushes at approximately 33,000 miles and 43,000 miles. I did my flush this summer at 62,500 miles.
Instead of a new rodeo flush, I decided just to swap the ABC filter since the hydraulic fluid is still good. I used an aftermarket filter of OEM quality. (Mercedes-Benz Hydraulic Self-Levelling Oil Filter W/ ABC Premium 0036101)
These are about $15 shipped versus the genuine MB filters. I'm figuring that if I want to replace filters every 5500-6000 miles, these will work. I figure that the hydraulic fluid will be good for a couple of years and that it is an unnecessary expense and waste of good CHF11s fluid.
It's been several days and absolutely no settlement or drop. I will keep everyone one informed if things should change, but I thought that I'd share this as a much cheaper and easier alternative to flushes or valve block rebuilds.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,493
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Can you be more specific? What's the new part number?
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,493
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Same part number for the aftermarket part. Not arguing your personal preference, but this one seems to be working well so far.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
I would stick with the Mercedes filter and change it when you change the fluid.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 954
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
there's a reason merc switched from a 10 micron filter to a 3 micron filter. buy the genuine MB 3 micron filter. technically you could put in motor mounts from the base model on an AMG and they would fit, but they won't last very long. just because the filter fits doesn't mean its what you should be using.
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