SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: New SL55 owner with some problems/questions
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
SL55 2003
New SL55 owner with some problems/questions
Hi all,
I've bought an SL55 2003 couple of days ago. Tested and checked it for 3 days and it was running perfectly until recently;
1) Today it was hot here (45 C degree), after driving/idling for a while, started to smell gas inside the car and the trunk ...
2) check coolant level and washer level popped up, however, temp was normal (in middle between 80 and 100) but the temp icon in cluster flashed red sometimes then back to white. Once Reached home, ive let the car idle but temp did not rise. After car cooled down checked the coolant it was full, but the washer was not, topped it and both messages did not show up again till now ?!
3) Car drops from front right over night but once it turned on it levels itself, is that front right hydrualic valve ?
4) There is heat in the centre consel after driving for a while, you can feel your legs are warmer ? (Both sides driver/passenger)
Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys help me to figure these things out.
Thanks.
I've bought an SL55 2003 couple of days ago. Tested and checked it for 3 days and it was running perfectly until recently;
1) Today it was hot here (45 C degree), after driving/idling for a while, started to smell gas inside the car and the trunk ...
2) check coolant level and washer level popped up, however, temp was normal (in middle between 80 and 100) but the temp icon in cluster flashed red sometimes then back to white. Once Reached home, ive let the car idle but temp did not rise. After car cooled down checked the coolant it was full, but the washer was not, topped it and both messages did not show up again till now ?!
3) Car drops from front right over night but once it turned on it levels itself, is that front right hydrualic valve ?
4) There is heat in the centre consel after driving for a while, you can feel your legs are warmer ? (Both sides driver/passenger)
Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys help me to figure these things out.
Thanks.
Last edited by mAMG; Jul 16, 2016 at 02:56 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 531
Likes: 88
From: EDH, CA.
2012 E63 AMG
See responses in RED:
Hi all,
I've bought an SL55 2003 couple of days ago. Tested and checked it for 3 days and it was running perfectly until recently;
1) Today it was hot here (45 C degree), after driving/idling for a while, started to smell gas inside the car and the trunk ... Check your fuel connections to the tank - evap systems as well. A bad hose?
2) check coolant level and washer level popped up, however, temp was normal (in middle between 80 and 100) but the temp icon in cluster flashed red sometimes then back to white. Once Reached home, ive let the car idle but temp did not rise. After car cooled down checked the coolant it was full, but the washer was not, topped it and both messages did not show up again till now ?! Check the coolant/washer sensors and their connections, flush the coolant if needed?
3) Car drops from front right over night but once it turned on it levels itself, is that front right hydrualic valve ? Have the hydraulic fluid checked first - it maybe way old and your hydraulic system will suffer badly when the system is not maintained. Bad strut?
4) There is heat in the centre consel after driving for a while, you can feel your legs are warmer ? (Both sides driver/passenger). Sounds like the transmission is heating up. Is the trans cooler hooked up? Does the trans fluid need to be replaced?
5) owner told me the engine was changed cause old one was damaged. Mostly the guy he bought it from modded it. Current engine is stock (No cp/sc), i want to know if it is running on stock tune or not, otherwise im afraid this engine gets damaged too if ECU is tuned. How is the engine running? Did the new engine come from the same year model? There are lots of sensors that matter when an engine R&R is done - Do you have the original ECU in the car now? The ECU is important and controls lots of parameters. You need to make sure that the ECU is appropriate for your car and your engine. There could be some issues and revisions to the different systems depending on model year of the original and the new. You are going to need help from a diagnostic system to see if the ECU has a tune or not.
Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys help me to figure these things out.
Thanks.
I've bought an SL55 2003 couple of days ago. Tested and checked it for 3 days and it was running perfectly until recently;
1) Today it was hot here (45 C degree), after driving/idling for a while, started to smell gas inside the car and the trunk ... Check your fuel connections to the tank - evap systems as well. A bad hose?
2) check coolant level and washer level popped up, however, temp was normal (in middle between 80 and 100) but the temp icon in cluster flashed red sometimes then back to white. Once Reached home, ive let the car idle but temp did not rise. After car cooled down checked the coolant it was full, but the washer was not, topped it and both messages did not show up again till now ?! Check the coolant/washer sensors and their connections, flush the coolant if needed?
3) Car drops from front right over night but once it turned on it levels itself, is that front right hydrualic valve ? Have the hydraulic fluid checked first - it maybe way old and your hydraulic system will suffer badly when the system is not maintained. Bad strut?
4) There is heat in the centre consel after driving for a while, you can feel your legs are warmer ? (Both sides driver/passenger). Sounds like the transmission is heating up. Is the trans cooler hooked up? Does the trans fluid need to be replaced?
5) owner told me the engine was changed cause old one was damaged. Mostly the guy he bought it from modded it. Current engine is stock (No cp/sc), i want to know if it is running on stock tune or not, otherwise im afraid this engine gets damaged too if ECU is tuned. How is the engine running? Did the new engine come from the same year model? There are lots of sensors that matter when an engine R&R is done - Do you have the original ECU in the car now? The ECU is important and controls lots of parameters. You need to make sure that the ECU is appropriate for your car and your engine. There could be some issues and revisions to the different systems depending on model year of the original and the new. You are going to need help from a diagnostic system to see if the ECU has a tune or not.
Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys help me to figure these things out.
Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
the car dropping is the front ABC valve block. there is one for the front and one for the rear. on a 2003 you probably need to replace all of the accumulators in the ABC system as well as have each ABC valve block rebuilt. The reason it is sagging is that one of the orings in that valve block has deteriorated to the point where fluid is leaking by. jnash on the board rebuilds them and also has posts that show exactly how to do it.
the cheapest place i've found for oem parts is mbdirectparts.com (that is where I would suggest getting the accumulators from)
the cheapest place i've found for oem parts is mbdirectparts.com (that is where I would suggest getting the accumulators from)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
SL55 2003
5) the engine is running fine. Except everytime starting the engine when its hot it makes long crank till it start, and you can hear it is struggling to start/fire up. Even though, it never stranded me. If it is a CPS it would never start or at least takes like 5-6 tries till it work/cool down.
Thanks a lot. Any sensors needs to be changed in the process ?
the car dropping is the front ABC valve block. there is one for the front and one for the rear. on a 2003 you probably need to replace all of the accumulators in the ABC system as well as have each ABC valve block rebuilt. The reason it is sagging is that one of the orings in that valve block has deteriorated to the point where fluid is leaking by. jnash on the board rebuilds them and also has posts that show exactly how to do it.
the cheapest place i've found for oem parts is mbdirectparts.com (that is where I would suggest getting the accumulators from)
the cheapest place i've found for oem parts is mbdirectparts.com (that is where I would suggest getting the accumulators from)
Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 146
Likes: 9
2005 SL65
Sounds like you didn't do a PPI. That should have caught some of these item .
Hi all,
I've bought an SL55 2003 couple of days ago. Tested and checked it for 3 days and it was running perfectly until recently;
1) Today it was hot here (45 C degree), after driving/idling for a while, started to smell gas inside the car and the trunk ...
2) check coolant level and washer level popped up, however, temp was normal (in middle between 80 and 100) but the temp icon in cluster flashed red sometimes then back to white. Once Reached home, ive let the car idle but temp did not rise. After car cooled down checked the coolant it was full, but the washer was not, topped it and both messages did not show up again till now ?!
3) Car drops from front right over night but once it turned on it levels itself, is that front right hydrualic valve ?
4) There is heat in the centre consel after driving for a while, you can feel your legs are warmer ? (Both sides driver/passenger)
5) owner told me the engine was changed cause old one was damaged. Mostly the guy he bought it from modded it. Current engine is stock (No cp/sc), i want to know if it is running on stock tune or not, otherwise im afraid this engine gets damaged too if ECU is tuned.
Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys help me to figure these things out.
Thanks.
I've bought an SL55 2003 couple of days ago. Tested and checked it for 3 days and it was running perfectly until recently;
1) Today it was hot here (45 C degree), after driving/idling for a while, started to smell gas inside the car and the trunk ...
2) check coolant level and washer level popped up, however, temp was normal (in middle between 80 and 100) but the temp icon in cluster flashed red sometimes then back to white. Once Reached home, ive let the car idle but temp did not rise. After car cooled down checked the coolant it was full, but the washer was not, topped it and both messages did not show up again till now ?!
3) Car drops from front right over night but once it turned on it levels itself, is that front right hydrualic valve ?
4) There is heat in the centre consel after driving for a while, you can feel your legs are warmer ? (Both sides driver/passenger)
5) owner told me the engine was changed cause old one was damaged. Mostly the guy he bought it from modded it. Current engine is stock (No cp/sc), i want to know if it is running on stock tune or not, otherwise im afraid this engine gets damaged too if ECU is tuned.
Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys help me to figure these things out.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
SL55 2003
I've did an PPI at 2 different mercedes mechanics and they said its fine just minor things needs to be changed/fixed. And I've even drove it for 2 days before purchasing it and nothing showed up. I had an 2003 E55 and am familiar with the M113K engine but i guess its just bad luck.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
there are no sensors that need replaced as part of ABC maintenance. Fluid flushes, accumulators, and valve block o-rings are it.
BTW: the service life on those accumulators are about 10 years/ 100k.
On an 03 SL you likely are going to have a gas tank baffle that the weld breaks on and when the tank is low and you come to a sudden stop you'll hear it flopping around in there. some 03s also had a different rear differential that uses bolt on axles which are different as well as a smaller ring gear that requires a specific limited slip (you can't use a limited slip designed for an 04+)
Eventually the two black plastic pieces on the exterior on either side of the rear window will start to discolor. On an 03 the plates they attach to as well as the plastic pieces will BOTH have to be replaced to the 04+ version as the 03 plastic plates are no longer made.
These are the main quirks I've found out thus far on my 03 SL55
BTW: the service life on those accumulators are about 10 years/ 100k.
On an 03 SL you likely are going to have a gas tank baffle that the weld breaks on and when the tank is low and you come to a sudden stop you'll hear it flopping around in there. some 03s also had a different rear differential that uses bolt on axles which are different as well as a smaller ring gear that requires a specific limited slip (you can't use a limited slip designed for an 04+)
Eventually the two black plastic pieces on the exterior on either side of the rear window will start to discolor. On an 03 the plates they attach to as well as the plastic pieces will BOTH have to be replaced to the 04+ version as the 03 plastic plates are no longer made.
These are the main quirks I've found out thus far on my 03 SL55
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
SL55 2003
there are no sensors that need replaced as part of ABC maintenance. Fluid flushes, accumulators, and valve block o-rings are it.
BTW: the service life on those accumulators are about 10 years/ 100k.
On an 03 SL you likely are going to have a gas tank baffle that the weld breaks on and when the tank is low and you come to a sudden stop you'll hear it flopping around in there. some 03s also had a different rear differential that uses bolt on axles which are different as well as a smaller ring gear that requires a specific limited slip (you can't use a limited slip designed for an 04+)
Eventually the two black plastic pieces on the exterior on either side of the rear window will start to discolor. On an 03 the plates they attach to as well as the plastic pieces will BOTH have to be replaced to the 04+ version as the 03 plastic plates are no longer made.
These are the main quirks I've found out thus far on my 03 SL55
BTW: the service life on those accumulators are about 10 years/ 100k.
On an 03 SL you likely are going to have a gas tank baffle that the weld breaks on and when the tank is low and you come to a sudden stop you'll hear it flopping around in there. some 03s also had a different rear differential that uses bolt on axles which are different as well as a smaller ring gear that requires a specific limited slip (you can't use a limited slip designed for an 04+)
Eventually the two black plastic pieces on the exterior on either side of the rear window will start to discolor. On an 03 the plates they attach to as well as the plastic pieces will BOTH have to be replaced to the 04+ version as the 03 plastic plates are no longer made.
These are the main quirks I've found out thus far on my 03 SL55
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
no, the fuel pump/sender is a completely different design in the SL. The SL actually has a fuel filter that is external of the tank and replaceable.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
SL55 2003
Well, most of the problem has been worked out execpt one ... FUEL SMELL !!
This problem kept following me from W211 E55 to this SL. I dont really know what should be done since there is not much topics about fuel smells in R230 forum.
The car consumes fuel wayy too much than the E55, im sure there is a leak somewhere. Also, everytime I open the gas cap, there is excessive pressure. Moreover, the car struggles to start EVERYTIME it is warm and has been off for 2 hours.
I'm sure the excessive pressure, excessive fuel consumption and warm starts struggle are all related and causing the smell of fuel in the cabin.
Any one has an idea where to start with fuel problems on R230 platform?
Thanks.
This problem kept following me from W211 E55 to this SL. I dont really know what should be done since there is not much topics about fuel smells in R230 forum.
The car consumes fuel wayy too much than the E55, im sure there is a leak somewhere. Also, everytime I open the gas cap, there is excessive pressure. Moreover, the car struggles to start EVERYTIME it is warm and has been off for 2 hours.
I'm sure the excessive pressure, excessive fuel consumption and warm starts struggle are all related and causing the smell of fuel in the cabin.
Any one has an idea where to start with fuel problems on R230 platform?
Thanks.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 6
From: Byblos,Lebanon
SL 55 , Infinity FX37, Aprilia Caponord Rally
I had the same fuel smell problem inside the cabin . inside the rear wheel well , right side
in front of the wheel . remove the plastic cover and check if the evap hose is in place . that was my problem . reconnected and all smell gone . it was loose ...hope it helps..
in front of the wheel . remove the plastic cover and check if the evap hose is in place . that was my problem . reconnected and all smell gone . it was loose ...hope it helps..
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Likes: 8
SL55 2003
Any idea when to change the fuel pump ? Or how to know it needs to be changed ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,921
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From: Long Island New York
2003 SL55,2020 GTC ,2017 GTS sold ,2002 G500 Sold,2003 SL500 Sold,
Check fuel rail diaphragm near throttle body on passengers side they are prone to leak,hard to see you will have to take air cleaner assembly off
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 225
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SL55 2003
I've changed the canister filter, and fuel filter but problem still exists.
- Fuel smell exists when at half of the tank. It 100% exists everytime when half of the tank is empty (2 Quarters left) and car is warm. I even tried to fill the tank and after that the smell decreased noticeably almost to none.
- Car consumes too much fuel which makes me think:
Car could be tuned and running very rich; because once the car is warm, i can hear the exhaust crack and pops almost everytime the car decelerate/downshift, and ofc, i smell fuel too. Could that cause fuel smell ?
Mechanic said if canister filter did not solve the problem then its the tank need to be changed ...
What do you guys think ? Any help is appreciated.
Last edited by mAMG; Aug 6, 2016 at 04:27 PM.
