SL/R230: How to bleed or prime vario roof hydraulic pump?
#51
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
2010 E63 AMG (Sold), 2008 SL350, 2007 S600, 2016 Infiniti QX80, 2018 Honda Odyssey, 2016 Subaru XV
If that is correct you have the symptoms that Bobterry99 and I had: a slow to very slow operation, no apparent leaks. It lasted for months, started immediately after an MB dealer had slightly topped up the reservoir. I did an oil swap, tilted the pump to help eventual air escape - nothing helped. Then one day things suddenly turned normal. Sticky valve, air pocket, who knows.
I might dismantle the pump again and have it looked at by my hydraulic specialist. Hopefully he sees something I don't....
#52
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Pure speculation, but if there is bypass, it may not have the pressure to lift the trunk, and possibly why the roll bar is slow.
#53
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
2010 E63 AMG (Sold), 2008 SL350, 2007 S600, 2016 Infiniti QX80, 2018 Honda Odyssey, 2016 Subaru XV
I was referencing an internal leak, not external. As in the seal around the ram is allowing fluid to internally bypass somewhere. For instance, the roof lock unlocks, but remains pressurized. If there's an internal leak, the pressure will unlock it, but then begin to flow past the ram and back to the pump through the other line.
Pure speculation, but if there is bypass, it may not have the pressure to lift the trunk, and possibly why the roll bar is slow.
Pure speculation, but if there is bypass, it may not have the pressure to lift the trunk, and possibly why the roll bar is slow.
Update: I just found out, when installing the all the pipes previously, I accidently "pinched" the pipe for "32" or "92", cant remember which. It was literally folded almost 180 degrees. Might explain why the tubular frame cant be lifted initially. After I disconnected the pipes and reconnected it to prevent the pinching, it still doesn't work though.
But hydraulic pressure seems smoother? Roll bar can raise and lower faster now it seems.
#54
Junior Member
Thread Starter
the former is the best fix, but can be impractical, depending on which cylinder.
If you want to go the splice route, this company has the couplers: https://cabriolethydraulics.com/
#55
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Greater Houston Area
Posts: 11
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2005 SL55
Just a quick note for those checking in on this thread: If you are replacing a hydraulic ram - say on the windshield header - make sure the assembly is in it's original position by marking it prior to disassembly or by going by the original seat marks of the mounting screws. I state this as I utilized cabriolethydraulics.com unit and the vario roof would never fully open or close due to a limit switch which would not activate since I did not have the assembly in its original position.
I realize that this should be obvious to those 'in the know' but I overlooked this aspect and it all boiled down to an 1/8" of adjustment. Hope this helps...
I realize that this should be obvious to those 'in the know' but I overlooked this aspect and it all boiled down to an 1/8" of adjustment. Hope this helps...
#56
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Just a quick note for those checking in on this thread: If you are replacing a hydraulic ram - say on the windshield header - make sure the assembly is in it's original position by marking it prior to disassembly or by going by the original seat marks of the mounting screws. I state this as I utilized cabriolethydraulics.com unit and the vario roof would never fully open or close due to a limit switch which would not activate since I did not have the assembly in its original position.
I realize that this should be obvious to those 'in the know' but I overlooked this aspect and it all boiled down to an 1/8" of adjustment. Hope this helps...
I realize that this should be obvious to those 'in the know' but I overlooked this aspect and it all boiled down to an 1/8" of adjustment. Hope this helps...
#57
#59
Mine is 2003. I follow the procedure that top hydraulics have outline. Use their syringe to force fluid into low pressure port until clear liquid comes from the high pressure port. I replaced 4 cylinders: headliner, side locking and rear trunk lid raise. My roof times out at the point where the trunk raise cylinder should be activated. The roof unlocks, the windows go down, the side corner raise and this is when it just seats. If I try to close it - nothing works, I have to do it by hand.
#61
Yes I can but the motion is slow and jerky. Here is what I am doing tonight - I got a crap cylinder. I am cutting the lines off it and use the end pieces as plugs to seal ports 100 and 60 which correspond to the roll bar cylinder. Then I will try to operate the roof to see if there is any difference. My hypothesis is that the internal seal on the roll bar cylinder has failed and causing a pressure bypass at the pump which leads to insufficient pressure to raise the trunk lead. What do you think?
#62
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes I can but the motion is slow and jerky. Here is what I am doing tonight - I got a crap cylinder. I am cutting the lines off it and use the end pieces as plugs to seal ports 100 and 60 which correspond to the roll bar cylinder. Then I will try to operate the roof to see if there is any difference. My hypothesis is that the internal seal on the roll bar cylinder has failed and causing a pressure bypass at the pump which leads to insufficient pressure to raise the trunk lead. What do you think?
#63
That would be my first guess as well. You should have eliminated most of the possibilities with the pump and those four cylinders being replaced. Could be the main cylinders, but I think roll bar is more likely based on how it is moving. Also, remember that the front latch, two frame latches, and the trunk lift cylinders are all on the same circuit. Trunk lift is activated, just not seeing enough pressure. It probably wouldn't be a bad ideal to check/replace the gas strut that helps lift the right side of the trunk. I think it should lift regardless, but the gas strut helps balance the loads so the the trunk lift cylinder doesn't apply a large side force.
#64
MBWorld Fanatic!
#65
Thanks!
Well, I tested it. The pump certainly builds up pressure, Even after I released the pressure, when I was taking the bolt near the line 100 - the residual pressure bent the plate!
Now, the system is doing something totally cockeyed. Only the left unlock cylinder is working.
I suppose I will be sending the valve block back to top hydraulics and see what they find.
#67
MBWorld Fanatic!
Did you replace all four cylinders with rebuilt parts? Also, have you double verified the every line is in the correct position? Roll bar cylinder holding pressure would seem to verify that it is okay. A bad piston seal would allow line 100 to drain back across the seal and into line 60.
#68
Did you replace all four cylinders with rebuilt parts? Also, have you double verified the every line is in the correct position? Roll bar cylinder holding pressure would seem to verify that it is okay. A bad piston seal would allow line 100 to drain back across the seal and into line 60.
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)