TomZVB

Ordered a pulsation damper to replace the noisy one on my SL63.

While trying to get the old one off, the 17mm hex head snapped right off. Unbelievable!

Now what do I do? That thing is on there solid and without a way to grab onto it, not sure how it’s going to come out without taking a lot of stuff apart that I’d rather not.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

TomZVB

Just to update, I did some searching across this site as well as some others, and I have a couple of options. Starting with smacking the damper housing some to break the seized connection:

Option 1: Use a strap wrench - similar to an oil filter wrench to try taking it off that way with the least amount of mess.
Option 2: Grind a slot into the housing and with said slot use a cold chisel to get it to turn.

Will try later to get it off later today.

The Mrs. actually asked me if I was sure I knew what I was doing, lol. Never before has that come from her regarding cars, boats, motorcycles, etc. She then added that maybe the AMG is a little too delicate? UGH!!

TomZVB

Well, strap wrenches did not work. Chain wrenches didn’t either (no room). Eventually, it came down to a cutoff wheel, a cold chisel, and a ball-peen hammer.

What a mother f-monger to take off! It was seized in there pretty good, but it eventually gave way. Once it moved, it came off by hand with little effort.

One thing I noticed is that the fluid smells a little burnt. The color is no longer green, but instead, is a clean-ish motor oil color. I guess it’s time to flush it and change the filter. I’ll try to do that over the holiday break this coming week.

Anyone have a line on where to get the fluid at a good price?

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

FCP Euro. Or Amazon. Do you require CHF-11S?

TomZVB

Yep, CHF11s.

Looks like this is probably the best deal going. A proper flush, I believe, takes 8-9 liters to do correctly. The following is 6 for less than the price of three on Amazon (FCP Euro is a little cheap than Amazon but not by much):

https://petroleumservicecompany.com/...ucts%20(Backup)

TomZVB

For US buyers, they’re out of Pennsylvania - shipping shouldn’t be bad either.

Dr. Manhattan

Jeez...what a bummer! Glad you finally prevailed. In retrospect, do you think it would have been possible to heat the junction a bit (torch) before going at that 17mm hex? Great post on the fluid source, btw. I'm not an ABC owner, but I sure tried hard to find a 450 with it. I did find one, after a year of searching, but it had been ridden very hard and put away soaking wet. I had to pass on it and ended up with a non-ABC car instead. Who knows, there may yet be one in my future...

TomZVB

There is a lot of plastic and rubber in that area. Heating it with a torch is probably not a good idea. Removing the pump was beginning to look like a possibility, but I’m glad I was able to get it off with some persuasion. Before trying to pull it, I did smack the ‘grenade’ a couple of times to try to loosen it. Obviously, it had no effect. Typical dissimilar metals interaction. Others have had similar circumstances so I followed their recommendations - very thankful for the DIY enthusiasm and community here!

Love the ABC! And the pulsation damper fixed my issue, thankfully.

Hope you find yours! Haven’t driven a non-ABC car, but I’m sure she handles really well regardless.