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I have changed the ABC fluid and filter on the 230 which was very easy. The 231 set up no longer has the return hose to the cap on top of the reservoir to use as a drain hose during the process. Is there a current write up online for a do it yourself process on the 231? Thanks...
P.S.- I see there is a tool made by AGA in California to attach to the return hole which is now at the bottom of the reservoir. This tool allows one to do this through the filler hole and drain through the hollow tube. Looks more complicated than the 230 system and the tool and new filter run about $190.00. With that cost and Pentosin looks pretty expensive though the tool is reusable. http://www.agatools.com/tool/mercedes-abc-flush
Still looking for a online tutorial....
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 10-08-2019 at 08:25 AM.
Let us know how it goes AND do you do a "rodeo" during the flush or is just the flush and new filter all that is needed.
ALSO.....I have a 2018 R231 SL550 .....please do me a favor and let me know if when you are in park and raise and lower the body do you hear any "creaking" noises .....not loud but I hear creaking up and down even after 4 or 5 cycles and wondering if others hear as well? Please test yours for me and advise.
Dealer is telling me it is OK but, he doesn't have any in stock to do a side by side comparison with. Streamliner has checked his and I think he hears what I hear but, I'd like another confirmation so be great if you can check and advise.
Thanks for the link. I only have 250 miles on the SL so it is a bit early for the fluid change! I just like to plan ahead for the future. I had raised and lowered the SL in the garage initially just to see if it worked and did hear the creaking when in park but not in neutral so it may be normal. I have the car at the Xpel installers at the present time but will try it out when I get the car back and report in again. Initially I thought the creaking sound was from the car sitting at the dealership a long time without the raise/lower function being used.
P.S.- When I changed the fluid on the 230 I did not have the Star software so I could not rodeo but I did raise and lower the car many dozen times until the fluid went from a dark brown to light green color.
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 09-09-2019 at 09:55 PM.
Thanks for your reply and THANKS in advance for checking again once you get the car back from the Xpel application......Eager to get your feedback..............
Even after a long ride, after riding in raided position or lowered position, in park or drive when stopped I get the creaking (seems more from the rear than front but, not sure).
Anyway....be great to get your feedback for comparison so both of us are comfortable if we both hear the same thing.....so await your test......................................
You say 250 miles on the car so it's brand new with only 250 miles or 250 miles you put on it.....if not only 250 miles how many total miles (mine has 12,000 on it now)/..............................
BTW....GREAT looking and equipped car ! Mine is designo Diamond White Metallic and optioned like yours with everything except the high end audio but, I did have the audio upgraded to allow infinite control F to R speakers and love the sound system now (actually love everything about the car and plan to keep it so I want to insure the ABC is best cared for....reason I want to make sure the noise I hear is "normal" or not while I am in warranty.
I too am thinking about Xpel.....Where are you applying it?........................ Are you at all concerned about aging and color differences where applied vs where not applied?.............................
Yes, My 2019 is new and only has a total of 250 miles on it now. I will check for the squeaking again when I get it back.
Expel is a brand name/product that many use generically to mean any plastic coating on the market, but it is not. It is a specific registered product. This will be the third car which I have had Expel applied to the whole front from the lower windshield forward including the sides. The Houston,Texas area for years has had over 100k people moving here a year due to the great job market and is one huge construction zone waiting to ruin the front end of a vehicle. Be forewarned there are cheaper brands out there but they are usually thinner and are applied in sheets to the car and then hand cut with razor blade type tools that can leave scratches in the paint.
Expel requires each dealer to have a computerized machine that cuts out the pattern for each car so the individual pieces fit perfectly. Expel is also thicker than most brands and I have never had it yellow. I believe Expel was originally developed by 3M to cover helicopter rotor blades from wearing due to friction from sand in the air at take off and landing in Desert Storm. It is self healing from being hit by small rocks. In most cases a rock dent in the polymer will disappear after a day in the hot sunlight. The Expel brand is more expensive than others but well worth the cost if you plan on keeping a car for many years.
Since the SL has so many curves in the front it takes a experienced, trained person 5-6 hours to apply to the whole front end and in my area generally costs about 2k including a pre application wash. When applied properly 10 out of 10 folks walking by the car will not know it is there.
You can go to the Expel site for a listing of dealers in every country. https://www.xpel.com/
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 09-10-2019 at 05:48 AM.
Take a look at the video link in my post above and note the cars movement during the fluid change.....the radical movement that sequentially operates the struts through their maximum travel is called "rodeo"
After I read this thread, I visited the AGA website. I ordered the ABC tool from AGA. I also ordered 2 ABC filters As soon as I looked at the filters I realized they are the wrong filters. The filters are for the R230 ABC system. I spoke to Richard from AGA, extremely nice guy. Richard and I both tried to find R231 ABC filters...…...no luck. Richard was nice enough to call 2 dealers, clueless as usual!! I searched the internet...….nothing!
The oldest R231 models must have had the ABC fluid changed yet the filters are like unicorns.
The AGA tool seems to be high quality and in theory will simplify the fluid change on the R231...…….does anyone have a part number and source for a proper R231 filter??
I also bought the tool and filter from AGA for future use. Is the picture from their site I have below the filter you received? If not their site is misleading. It states specifically that this filter is for the newer system with the return from the bottom of the reservoir. I am getting my money back if this is not the correct filter as they advertise...
This topic got my interest, so I investigated it on Daimler EPC.
I personally know very little about ABC, am not an expert on the system, and do not guarantee that the following information is correct. I have not done this work myself, and accept no responsibility for any consequences. If in any doubt, conduct your own research or ask a technician.
The code on the filter part that you show, A0031846101 (OIL FILTER IN OIL RESERVOIR), is the current version of the ABC filter for several cars, including the S-Class W220 and the CL-Class C215 for cars with option code 487 (ABC). Previously, the part for those cars was A0031845101 (LONGLIFE OIL FILTER IN OIL RESERVOIR). This is the same filter for the R230 previous generation SL.
For the R231, I investigated both the SL500/550 and the SL65 at group 32, subgroup 235. I do not see any individual listing of the filter itself. I believe the correct part would be A2313200014 "OIL TANK WITH OIL FILTER" for cars with option code 487 (ABC SUSPENSION). This part would be for the whole tank, and would be roughly ~$150-200 USD. This would be part #10 on the diagram attached. The other parts on the diagram around #10 would be the dipstick and its cap, and the filter retaining ring. The filter that you have may or may not be the individual filter that they use within the tank. Without opening up a car, it would be impossible to ascertain. There are many parts that MB does not list individually (e.g. some rear differential bearings) that are only listed on EPC when contained within a larger unit. Still, some of these are actually individually orderable with their own part code, but you would need to find it by inspection or deep knowledge. Alternatively, there may also instead be a workshop instruction that, should the fluid be changed, the whole tank should be replaced for fear of residual contamination. Someone with more time could try investigating WIS for more information. I took a brief look through W222 S-Class models, which I believe have a similar generation of ABC design, and there is no individual filter part that I can see either.
To summarise: It is possible to order the correct filter, but in conjunction with the oil tank itself. This is the case for both the R231 SL-Class and the W222 S-Class cars. It is possible that this is a deliberate choice by design to force the change of the tank during maintenance, but that is merely hypothesis without further research on WIS and may well be false. If someone was willing to remove their filter, it might reveal a part-code allowing it to be ordered individually. Whether that would be wise is unknown.
The filter that Utopia Texas and I received is for the R230...…......WRONG filter for the R231. If the individual filter for the R231 is not available, what good is the AGA tool??? I find it incredible that the R231 filter is not available without the tank. Do I need to change the oil pan and oil filter housing doing an oil change????
Should not the schematic posted above show a filter?
Now I wonder if the ABC filter for the 231 is actually embedded into the reservoir, thus the reservoir is changed out as a whole unit. This would be pretty stupid on Mercedes part but who knows. I will open the lid on my unit later on today and see if there is a number on top of a filter. Last week I removed the safety clip off the tank but the lid did not budge and I was busy with other things so I went no further. I do not know if the lid is supposed to screw off or pull straight up.
P.S.- I also wonder how AGA made the drain tool without knowing the filter was different on this unit.....
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 09-18-2019 at 08:02 AM.
Well, I am at a impass trying to get the cap off the 231 ABC reservoir. Removed the retaining clip and by hand could not get it to budge twisting or pulling straight up. Even tried pliers on the ears to the point I was afraid I was going to crack the plastic. I assume the filter wedged between the cap and the base of the reservoir is the culprit but at this point don’t want to break anything since the SL only has 650 miles on the odometer. I assume one could remove the 6 screws and one bolt from the whole lid to remove but until I need to do this in years to come do not want humidity/moisture to enter the unit unless I was actually changing the fluid out. If anyone gets more information on this subject please post in......
I called MBUSA...………...a wasted call. The MBUSA representative knew ZERO about the ABC filter situation. The polite but clueless MBUSA employee did get me a part number but it's for the ABC tank. He wasn't even sure it included the filter. I used the supplied part number and the tank is about $275. The replaceable ABC filter for the R230 is under $50. One reason for the precipitous depreciation is the cost of maintenance continues to spiral out of control. Every series of Mercedes cars has it's quirks...…….many are unknown for years. (a good example is the defective wiring on the R129 which is denied by MBUSA!!!!)
I looked at the AGA Tool video on YouTube and it is no help. The Mercedes they demonstrate on has a simple screw off cap with the filter connected to the cap. A simple twist and out everything comes. Not so on the 231. I assume the cap on the 231 just pulls straight up and has no threads. Otherwise why would there be a spring loaded bale to hold the cap from popping up?
Until someone is ready to change their fluid and has the new fluid on hand we will not know how the cap comes off. After removing the bale wire I tried for a second time with two pair of vice grips on the cap wings and could not get the cap to budge either in a twisting motion or by pulling straight up. Just to afraid to put any more pressure on a thin plastic piece.....
Since I find no reference in my booklets for changing the ABC fluid on any Service B schedule I assume MB still considers the fluid “permanent “ though some of us have had ours turn a dark brown on previous SL’s.
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 09-18-2019 at 01:38 PM.
I just sent an email to MB customer support concerning the R231 ABC filter situation...….hopefully someone will provide an intelligent solution. I've seen parts diagrams that have the filter as separate. I just can't imagine replacing the entire tank.
The fluid is NOT lifetime.....no such thing. The original MB advice was it's a lifetime fluid and the 10 micron filter will suffice. Numerous failures later, it became a 3 micron filter. Does anyone have a good dealer to inquire???(good dealer is like a good unicorn------mythical)
Are we the only dummies that have ABC on our late model cars???
I would venture a guess that the ABC system on 231’s is quite unusual. Let us know what you find out......
A bit ironic we are both looking to solve this and are both named Mike P. though I have always gone by Michael.
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 09-18-2019 at 02:14 PM.
2 guys named Mike P that are naïve enough to buy these cars. Are we really the first to think about an ABC fluid/filter change??? Was this engineered by the same team that deleted dipsticks???
Each generation of SL models gets worse with engineering quirks. The R107 was the last of the workable cars. I plan on getting the new R232 which clearly demonstrates I'm a slow learner.
I'm going to take a look at the 2011 SL65 to see if the tank space is the same......maybe the solution is to use a tank that has an accessible replaceable filter?? The more I think about this, what's the purpose of AGA tool ???
I have no interest in the R232 or whatever it will be named as a four seater with soft top does not interest me at all.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If someone can figure out the proper procedure for getting the cap off the reservoir we can get to the filter and hopefully some numbers. I must be missing something on the cap removal as it can’t be that hard unless MB has some funky tool for that job. Maybe one presses down and turns? I’ll try again later and hopefully MB will email you back with a filter number. It might even be a filter used on another set up. The AGA tool should work fine as it does in their YouTube film.....
PS- Have you attempted to take the cap off your reservoir? I also do not understand why the schematic posted earlier does not show the cap as a separate piece. If it is not removable why the wire bale on top?
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 09-18-2019 at 04:42 PM.
There would have to be 'some method' for MB Dealer Service to replace the ABC hydraulic fluid in the event of a fluid line rupture which is always a possibility. A non-removable reservoir cap doesn't make much sense, but perhaps there's just some 'trick' for removing it.
I incurred a ABC line rupture when I owned my 230, so it's not hard to imagine it happening to an ABC-equipped 231, thus requiring the need to replenish the fluid.
I'm pretty sure the solution for accessing the ABC fluid reservoir is out there somewhere, but you'll probably need an MB Dealer Tech to research the proper method and provide it for you. Perhaps MB intentionally made it difficult so that other shops or 231 owners simply couldn't do it!
I will note that I quote verbatim from Daimler's EPC records that part #10 in the diagram above for the R231, A2313200014, is explicitly listed as "OIL TANK WITH OIL FILTER" for "487: ABC SUSPENSION (ACTIVE BODY CONTROL)". I cannot advise on why the MBUSA tech spoken to did not see this, unless he did not pull up the correct record.
If anyone could suggest another model of Daimler M-B car that has a similar generation of ABC on board other than the W222 S-Class, I would be happy to look it up for you on EPC to see if a separate filter is available.
I would strongly counsel that, before attempting to unscrew or pull apart the oil tank with force, one of you should telephone your local dealership, ask to speak to a technician, and kindly ask them to provide the "WIS documentation relating to the R231 ABC oil tank, relating to its opening, maintenance and removal". If you could post that here, I would be possibly able to advise further. Acting otherwise may allow water vapour into the tank which could be catastrophic, or possibly compromise the seal of the lid (gasket?). While speculative and possibly a strange design choice, it is possible that this is designed to prevent contamination by remaining sealed once and once-only by design and hence the reason why the filter is sold with the tank. Given the failure rate of the previous generation of the system, this could have been a new design idea.
OK I sat with the Lead Mechanic at my dealership and together we reviewed the MB R231 ABC directives, parts list ect.
As we know there is NO requirement for fluid or filter maintenance (I can now confirm this).
Also we were unable to find a PN for an individual replacement filter (seems only way to getting the filter is by buying the complete tank).
I'm still not convinced that a filter can't be replaced because part "70" (the bail wire) is shown as a separate part that implies there is a cap it is holding in.
Maybe we will get the real story from some INDI ?
Seems MB feels with the change from 10 to 3 micron filter MB feels no need to change fluid for life of the vehicle.
I still want to be able to change the fluid so hope we get more info from someone.
BTW: I asked if raising and lowering occasionally is a good idea to exercise full travel of the struts and was told if MB Engineering thought it was needed it would have been designed as part of a "start up sequence".
Maybe Wolfman who seems to have lots of knowledge Re our cars has more to offer or can further inquire @ MB and give us more?
09-09-2019, 08:56 PM
I just like to plan ahead for the future. I had raised and lowered the SL in the garage initially just to see if it worked and did hear the creaking when in park but not in neutral so it may be normal. I have the car at the Xpel installers at the present time but will try it out when I get the car back and report in again. Initially I thought the creaking sound was from the car sitting at the dealership a long time without the raise/lower function being used.
