SL/R230: VARIO ROOF HYDRAULIC PUMP/RESERVOIR LEAKING
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 7
2008 CLK350 CABRIOLET & 2005 SL500
VARIO ROOF HYDRAULIC PUMP/RESERVOIR LEAKING
CAN THIS PUMP UNIT BE REBUILT?
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RESERVOIR IS LEAKING? I DID NOT SEE ANY NOTICEABLE CRACKS...CLAMPS APPEAR TIGHT.
FOAM CUSHION BELOW PUMP IS SOAKED WITH FLUID.
BTW...I WAS ALSO HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING THE RESERVOIR EVEN THO THE LEVEL WAS BELOW THE MIN LINE....OPENING WAS FILLED WITH FLUID AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT MORE
THANKS TO ANYONE
RICK B
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RESERVOIR IS LEAKING? I DID NOT SEE ANY NOTICEABLE CRACKS...CLAMPS APPEAR TIGHT.
FOAM CUSHION BELOW PUMP IS SOAKED WITH FLUID.
BTW...I WAS ALSO HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING THE RESERVOIR EVEN THO THE LEVEL WAS BELOW THE MIN LINE....OPENING WAS FILLED WITH FLUID AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT MORE
THANKS TO ANYONE
RICK B
Last edited by Rick BARON; May 24, 2020 at 10:28 AM. Reason: ADDED A DETAIL
CAN THIS PUMP UNIT BE REBUILT?
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RESERVOIR IS LEAKING? I DID NOT SEE ANY NOTICEABLE CRACKS...CLAMPS APPEAR TIGHT.
FOAM CUSHION BELOW PUMP IS SOAKED WITH FLUID.
BTW...I WAS ALSO HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING THE RESERVOIR EVEN THO THE LEVEL WAS BELOW THE MIN LINE....OPENING WAS FILLED WITH FLUID AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT MORE
THANKS TO ANYONE
RICK B
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RESERVOIR IS LEAKING? I DID NOT SEE ANY NOTICEABLE CRACKS...CLAMPS APPEAR TIGHT.
FOAM CUSHION BELOW PUMP IS SOAKED WITH FLUID.
BTW...I WAS ALSO HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING THE RESERVOIR EVEN THO THE LEVEL WAS BELOW THE MIN LINE....OPENING WAS FILLED WITH FLUID AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT MORE
THANKS TO ANYONE
RICK B
btw your caps lock is on
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 7
2008 CLK350 CABRIOLET & 2005 SL500
BT,
Thanks for the reply. I am continuing my search for the leak....will check those areas as well. I replaced one cylinder and may have to move on to another. Beyond that I have seen the quote from tophydraulics for $600, which is why I was also inquiring abt a rebuild kit.
Thanks again
Thanks for the reply. I am continuing my search for the leak....will check those areas as well. I replaced one cylinder and may have to move on to another. Beyond that I have seen the quote from tophydraulics for $600, which is why I was also inquiring abt a rebuild kit.
Thanks again
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
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2009 SL 550, 1995 S600
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 7
2008 CLK350 CABRIOLET & 2005 SL500
Thanks....am contemplating sending the pump off for a rebuild. However, I am trying to be as certain as I can that it is the pump that is leaking. May have it diagnosed locally first.
RB
RB
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 7
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From: Dubai, UAE
R230 SL500 2003
ok, to fix the vario roof, you need to be systematic on the diagnosis and the troubleshooting process. I had issue with is as most of us, nothing new.
P.
- which pump do you have ? at least 3 different pump models have been installed so far and this makes a difference on the repairing procedure.
- to identify a leak, you need to remove the pump assembly enough to clean around and place some clean tissues/paper to spot from where the leak is coming. It could be the rear cylinder leaking and the oil is spreading under the pump area, misleading.
- carry out a pressure test at the pump high pressure line exit. This is to assess if the pump can deliver the required 300psi or not
- if the pump is weak, then you can consider to change it or you can endeavor to repair it on you own. If the pump is still efficient, then you start following the lines, one by one.
P.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 7
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From: Dubai, UAE
R230 SL500 2003
this is the vario bible ... use google translate if you dont read german language: https://julianehehl.de/sl55amg-dach1.htm
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 32
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2008 CLK350 CABRIOLET & 2005 SL500
I checked my fluid this morning and it appears to have settled just below the min-line, which tells me that no more fluid is leaking. i did a number of things in the interim time period....I tightened the hose clamps around the reservoir and I tightened the bolts on the pump. I also checked all cylinders and connecting lines as best I could.
Therefore, this morning, when I noticed that the fluid had remained just below the min line, I added more fluid to almost the full-line and will test the system again tomorrow. I may have had quite a bit of air in the system because it would not let me fill the reservoir even tho it was below the min-line prior to me adjusting the clamps and bolts on the pump. In another thread someone suggested to turn the pump assembly upright(pump at top) in order to bleed off some air in an attempt to operate...that didnt work for me as I could not fill the reservoir sufficiently.
i also placed a call into the other hydraulic rebuild company here in Florida, cabriohydraulics(?) to see what they charge for a rebuild and he left a message stating that the reservoir sh only leak if there are cracks in the plastic from age. Mine appears to b like new as does my pump. I have seen some raspy looking pump assemblies, so I feel good abt mine.
I will try to run the roof tomorrow to see how the level of fluid holds...I may just be down to air in the system and have solved any leaks.
Will update once I complete that process.
Thanks again
RB
Therefore, this morning, when I noticed that the fluid had remained just below the min line, I added more fluid to almost the full-line and will test the system again tomorrow. I may have had quite a bit of air in the system because it would not let me fill the reservoir even tho it was below the min-line prior to me adjusting the clamps and bolts on the pump. In another thread someone suggested to turn the pump assembly upright(pump at top) in order to bleed off some air in an attempt to operate...that didnt work for me as I could not fill the reservoir sufficiently.
i also placed a call into the other hydraulic rebuild company here in Florida, cabriohydraulics(?) to see what they charge for a rebuild and he left a message stating that the reservoir sh only leak if there are cracks in the plastic from age. Mine appears to b like new as does my pump. I have seen some raspy looking pump assemblies, so I feel good abt mine.
I will try to run the roof tomorrow to see how the level of fluid holds...I may just be down to air in the system and have solved any leaks.
Will update once I complete that process.
Thanks again
RB
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 7
2008 CLK350 CABRIOLET & 2005 SL500
Rechecked my fluid this morning and levels were just at min-line. I cycled the roof a few times and levels dropped but still no signs of leaks and process slowed with each succesive attempt. Will check to see where fluid levels are after a while.
Time for a diagnosis I think
Will update
RB
Time for a diagnosis I think
Will update
RB
