hydrogen

Hi, you gents are the best source of advice and help.

I was reading some threads and noticed one about the above error. Which hinted the problem is the accumulators.

I have had that error a few times only recently going over speed humps and bumps, probably a little bit quicker than usual.
just drive properly over them the error does not appear. I also had both valve blocks recon in the last 6 months.

if you perform a diagnostic scan of the car will that error show up. Also will a scan let you know that it is the accumulators and/or which one.

I understand there are three accumulators.

I also read the posted article by this forum about ABC and everything you need to know, great article very informative.

I should have bought a 2007 onwards SL.

thanks
Gerard.

cdk4219

No the scan will not tell you specifically if or which accumulators are bad, but the abc guru Mike, indicates that a warning over speed bumps usually indicated a front accumulator that was bad. Apparently you need to look at residual shut off pressure to determine accumulator health.

hydrogen

Ok.

Thanks for the reply, cdk4219.

dave_n_s

When a high pressure accumulator (F or R) fails, you are likely to get a lot of hydraulic fluid being pushed out of the reservoir by the gas that has got past the accumulator diaphragm.

Once you've cleaned up the mess, note the two marks on the dipstick, high for cold, low for engine running.

If you then fill to high cold, you will find it won't go to low with the engine running. With both HP accumulators failed, it will barely move with the engine running.

ItalianJoe1

If one is failing, replace them all. The failure is of the rubber membrane inside, they are all equally old at this point. I know it's not the cheapest fix but do it once and be done with it, there are worse ways to spend a couple hundred bucks on these cars.

imtheking

Had this issue a few months ago. ABC over bumps and occasional fluid pouring out of the reservoir. I read that once one goes bad, they all start to crumble. I went ahead and replaced all 3 (front, rear and pulsation dampener).

No more issues

I watched a few youtube videos and decided to replace myself (with some help from a friend). Wasn't that bad at all and saved myself a ton of money in labor. Didn't replace return accumulator. That one seemed to be a little bit more labor intensive and required special tools that I didn't have but

For the accumulators, I bought corteco brand from FCPeuro and the pulsation dampener I bought off amazon from a Benz dealer in Arizona. Parts came out to be $500 total

ItalianJoe1

The return one is probably the only one that doesn't matter in the actual function of the system, but when I did them I did all 4, just to do it once and be done. The originals on my car were 15 years old, if they last another 15 years, that's good enough for me.

hydrogen

Thank you all.

Some great information, advice and help there.
The accumulators are about $80 cheaper each from FCP Euro.

thanks again,
Gerard.