SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Here we go...

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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 07:29 AM
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2003 SL500
Here we go...

Well, I knew this was going to come eventually. Saw a leak last night when out and about so we got the car home ASAP with no indicators or anything. A couple of hours after parking it, I went outside to check it out. Right front wheel is oily, the entire front end is dropped all the way down. The rear is still up. We just had a cold front come through so I probably won't get to it in the next few days. ABC hose repair.

Last edited by Blazeracer; Feb 8, 2019 at 07:36 PM.
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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 09:46 AM
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Quick check now that it's light outside, the reservior is almost empty. We must have just made it home.
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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 11:11 AM
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It appears to be leaking from this hose where the rigid line meets the crimped fitting. One end is connected to the radiator, the other end to the gold can. It's the line with a pressure or temp sensor on it.


Last edited by Blazeracer; Feb 7, 2019 at 11:16 AM.
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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 11:29 AM
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Scratch previous, that's all A/C stuff..
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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 06:18 PM
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Found it. The high pressure line that goes to T block under the middle of the car.... GRRRRR

Can it be cut somewhere the metal section and a compression or flare fitting installed? I have no idea how this line would be removed and installed in one piece. It's pinned between the heat shield and frame as it goes over the front suspension, then back down through the transmission tunnel where it end with the T block.
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Old Feb 7, 2019 | 07:23 PM
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Plently of folks have cut away a section of ruptured hose and gone to a hydraulic shop and had a custom section of hose and fittings made. This should help :https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...sure-hose.html
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Old Feb 8, 2019 | 07:28 AM
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That's what I'm going to do today. Got the hose out. Putting it back in will be the trick on how to reconnect the hard line. I don't think a compression fitting wil hold at 2,000 psi. If I can get a short segment of metric tubing I might braze it in with silver solder. Flared fittings is the other option.
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Old Feb 8, 2019 | 12:47 PM
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I wish you had change the title. for future searches.....
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Old Feb 8, 2019 | 07:33 PM
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I disconnected the hose from the front axle valve unit, then cut the hard line next to the frame just before it turns up. It cost $70 to get a new hose built and included an industrial metric compression fitting that is rated to 4,000 psi from my local hydraulic shop. The guy built it in like 10 minutes while I waited. The new hose is routed the same way the old one did. It was difficult and challenging to get it in, but it is good to go. I also had to buy 2 cans of the Pentosin 11S hydraulic oil at $25 a can. Total cost of repair was $120 for the hose and oil. My car was down for a day and a half. Wife and I drove all over town this afternoon for the test drive.
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Old Feb 8, 2019 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by bellwilliam
I wish you had change the title. for future searches.....

I added "ABC hose repair" in the first post so it will turn up in a search. The search function will check the body also, not only the title.
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Old Feb 8, 2019 | 08:07 PM
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Here's a vid...

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