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

SL/R230: Weird issue

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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 02:16 PM
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Weird issue

So I'm having a weird issue. My abc system works fine, lowers and lifts fine. When driving the car at low speeds, when you turn to the right(left is fine), you can hear the audible sound of like a power steering pump low on fluid. It only does it on right turns at slow speeds. If the car is stationary, you can turn left or right and no noise. Only hear it with slow driving turning right. I flushed the power steering fluid and replaced it with fresh fluid and it's still there. It's a 2006 sl65 amg.
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 08:15 PM
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If you have no leaks it could be the pulsation dampener it does vibrate when the diaphragm is gone, humming noise like an old school power steering pump. Failing that possible engine mounts.
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by kbdixon
If you have no leaks it could be the pulsation dampener it does vibrate when the diaphragm is gone, humming noise like an old school power steering pump. Failing that possible engine mounts.
Can you tell me where the pulsation dampener is located? Also what do you mean about the engine mounts? They were done like 8k miles ago.
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 10:43 PM
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Pulsation damper is in the front drivers side wheel well. Its directly behind the fake vent on the front fender. You have to remove the wheel and wheel well lining to get to it.

2007+ models have the pulsation damper mounted to the pump in the engine bay.
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Old Feb 20, 2020 | 10:02 PM
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You don't have to remove the wheel to replace the pulsation dampener. It can be replaced through the fake vent on the drivers side. That's how I did mine.
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Old Feb 21, 2020 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Speed750
You don't have to remove the wheel to replace the pulsation dampener. It can be replaced through the fake vent on the drivers side. That's how I did mine.
That is great info thank you for sharing. I replaced both my front and main accumulators, and rebuilt 1 valve block. I will preemptively rebuild the other valve block and this pulsation dampener and I should be set for another few years hopefully.

Replacing a front strut this weekend too. Still hard to complain since I can DIY cost isn't too bad (but those struts sure are expensive)
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Old Feb 21, 2020 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Speed750
You don't have to remove the wheel to replace the pulsation dampener. It can be replaced through the fake vent on the drivers side. That's how I did mine.
What's the best way to remove that vent?
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Old Feb 21, 2020 | 01:08 PM
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Waiting for this answer with great interest.
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Old Feb 21, 2020 | 02:13 PM
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Also just found a small leak today at the pump. I think the copper washers to this line are no good as that's where the leak is. I could be wrong and it be the line itself. Anybody have the part numbers to these lines?
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Old Feb 22, 2020 | 03:26 PM
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Changed out the pulsation dampener today. Could not figure how to get the side vent off so took off the inner fender liner (actually just pulled it back temporarily). Ground down a 24 mm open end wrench to take off the pulsation dampener. All went well.

While in there I looked to see how to pull off the side vent. It appears to be held on by two torx screws that can be seen from the outside of the fender. However my torx screws seemed to be tangled up with the grill work in the side vent so I did not actually get it off of the fender. It seems that taking that vent off would make the job a very easy thing.
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Old Feb 22, 2020 | 03:32 PM
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I think there’s body trim tape holding the vents on in addition to the screws.

I was going to remove the vents to make my life easier during a recent paint correction and gave up on getting them out when it felt like they were going to break if I kept trying to force them.

Removing the fender liner to change the pulsation damper also gives a good opportunity to replace the alarm siren mounted directly above it...which is all but guaranteed to be dead on any R230 at this point lol.
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Old Feb 22, 2020 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by TerranceSl65
What's the best way to remove that vent?
It's held on by 2 torx screws, take a close look under the fin and you'll see them. You might have to work it a little once the torx are removed. Mine had 15 years of wax build up holding it on.
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Old Feb 29, 2020 | 04:09 PM
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Turns out it was the pulsation dampner. Thanks for the info.
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