SL/R230: Replacing accumulator
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 3
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2006 sl500
Replacing accumulator
I知 fairly certain the rear accumulator has gone and was wondering if I知 replacing one should I just replace them all while I知 at it? Or am I good to just do the one? Any response would be helpful!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 624
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From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
I would do them all, this way it's all done and you should be years without problems, Don't Wait too long! I got new accumulators and a pulsation dampener, and they were in the trunk but drove the car too long and the dreaded car killer hose blew. Dealership wanted $9000 to replace that hose, it snakes thru the front subframe. Indy wanted $5000. I found another indy shop owned by illustrious engineers, sent them an email. They replied!! "Yes, we have done about ten of those cars, we will do yours for two grand." I said, "I have all new accumulators, two motor mounts and a transmission mount in the trunk to install as well. "We'll do those for another grand." Towed the car to those guys and 36 hours later it was all done, all perfect. I'm kind of glad it happened the way it did, because that hose was 20 years old and was obviously the weak link and now... Car is perfect and like new.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Good peace of mind to replace all, but since the pulsation dampener is not in the valve blocks then you might as well wait until it fails (harsh vibration in the lower rev range) before replacing it. Access behind the LHF wheel well.
The other maybe is the return supply accumulator in the rear valve block. Smoothing out the pulses in the return supply line contributes to the magic carpet ride and since it's a bit of hassle to get the rear valve block out you might as well do that one while you're in there.
The other maybe is the return supply accumulator in the rear valve block. Smoothing out the pulses in the return supply line contributes to the magic carpet ride and since it's a bit of hassle to get the rear valve block out you might as well do that one while you're in there.
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 185
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From: Cedar Park, Texas
2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, 2004 SL55, 2012 Lexus IS250, 2021 Toyota Highlander
Out of curiosity... Knowing that you had an accumulator problem and kept driving, was the ABC light all of the time? I'm pretty sure I'm in the same boat but only get the red light if I go over certain types of bumps. Even though I don't get the light to come on, am I doing myself a disservice by still driving it around?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 185
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Aye.
The accumulators can fill with oil when the diaphragms rupture, putting severe stress on the hoses. The red warning is a sure sign they're on their way out. Replace without delay...
The accumulators can fill with oil when the diaphragms rupture, putting severe stress on the hoses. The red warning is a sure sign they're on their way out. Replace without delay...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
The warning light you are getting is low system pressure. With bad accumulators, when the system needs to add larger amounts of fluid to the struts (like when you go over a bump), the system pressure drops below acceptable levels. It soon corrects and the light goes out, that is why it is intermittent.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 624
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From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
I would get red warnings "ABC drive carefully" when hitting bumps. It is not a good idea to keep driving if you're getting warnings!! It's a good way to find the weakest link in the system and then there will be more to fix. In my case the hose that threads thru the front subframe developed a leak. Dealership wanted to charge $9000 to replace that hose. My indy shop does the job exactly the way Mercedes says to do it, taking about 28 hours labor by disassembling brake lines, steering rack, exhaust, engine mounts, etc., and indy quoted $5000. I found some engineers who have a car shop and asked them and they said, "We've done about ten of these cars, we'll do yours for 2 grand". It's just a hydraulic hose and it can be replaced without taking half the car apart. 24 hours after the car was towed to those guys it was all done. I'm glad that hose is new though, and don't anticipate any ABC issues again for a very long time. For another grand they replaced all the accumulators, motor mounts and trans mount. Very lucky, and smart too, to find a shop with genius guys who are capable, fast and honest! Car is like new. I later had them replace the alternator, belts, idler pulley, coolant and water pump, also took them about a day for all that.
