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2003 SL500. Over a year ago while driving I heard a pop and saw that hydraulic fluid was leaking from behind the driver side wheel well. Since I'm just now able to start working on it due to numerous reasons I am in need of some help. I have the front of the car on jack stands but since its been so long I cant tell where the leak was coming from. My question is can I start the car while its on the jack stands to see if I can find the leak? Most if not all of the fluid has leaked out so I will put hydraulic fluid in first. Just wondering if I should put the car back on the ground first or possibly jack up the rear end as well or will I be safe to check it with the front wheels in the air?
If you blew a hose, you will just be pumping fluid through the blown line, so not issue with what you were planning. The most likely case is that it is the pressure line which attaches on the left side of the valve block (P port). You can check the rubber part of the line, especially by the crimped fittings. Odds are, you will see a little blowout of the reinforcing wire at the leak. If that turns out to be the problem, check some recent posts here on how to fix that line without dropping the subframe.
Appreciate the reply. Going to fill the reservoir and try starting the car to look for the leak. My original post was just concern of starting the car with the front tires in the air and the rears on the ground. There is residual fluid on all the lines from the valve block and I also feel a small bump or possibly puncture on the center line going to the pulsation dampener. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Thanks again. Ill post pics or video of what I find.
Got some fluid in it and started the car. After about 10 secs I found the leak. It is the Pulsation Damper to Tee line. Small puncture where my finger is underneath the line. Thankfully its probably the one line that can be replaced at home and without splicing and adding a pressurized fitting. Now to clean up all the other hoses and components and hope the residual fluid is just splash from this line rupture. If not I believe a valve block rebuild will be next. Also hope after the install I can pressurize system and work out any air in the system on my own.
Something I forgot to add. My car tended to sag on the drivers side front after sitting for a day or two. Could there have been a small leak in this line that would have caused this problem before it ruptured or should I check for other causes before finishing this job? Thanks Again,
That is probably the best case scenario. That line wouldn't cause sag after the car is shut off, it does not stay pressurized. Your sag is almost certainly a bad o-ring on the left blocking valve in your front valve block. Probably a good time to rebuild it since the system is open and you have the wheel and liner off.
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