SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: ABC Scare

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Old Sep 27, 2018 | 06:48 PM
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Das Geld 2's Avatar
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SL55, S500
ABC Scare

i just came back from a 3 week vacation and my left front was bottomed out, every other side was good. I start the car and I get a red abc light oh no!! I hit the raise button and the car raised like a damn spring loaded gun...what was that about? Is my strut leaking pressure / is it an accumulator? It’s brand new from April, the previous owner had it changed out for the same reasons.

during week 2 everything was still fine..should I be concerned? Thanks.






It’s resolved now.. but what was that about?

Last edited by Das Geld 2; Sep 27, 2018 at 06:52 PM.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 10:26 AM
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Something (miniscule piece of dirt/matter) may be keeping one of the valves from completely closing when the car is parked. Over time, fluid leakage from the suspension cylinder back into the reservoir allows that side to sag. Several of us 'cycle' our ABC system from 'normal to full up' several times each time we drive the car. I've been doing this for about 2 years (after replacing all equalizers and dampeners). My car sat for 3 months last year with less than 1/8" sagging on any corner.

Do you have the 3mm filter in the reservoir? Several of us have also installed a small transmission line filter that also contains a magnet (Magnefine) in the return line just ahead of the reservoir.

Gary

Last edited by kittyandgary; Sep 28, 2018 at 10:31 AM.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 10:32 AM
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From: Byblos,Lebanon
SL 55 , Infinity FX37, Aprilia Caponord Rally
Could be one of the pistons on the front valve block not holding pressure .
This will show on the star system .
All you need is to change the seals on the 4 pistons if they're working
properly .
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 12:52 PM
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Thank you gents

Hopefully it's not the latter with the o-ring and the valve block though I searched all morning and saw 4-5 similar threads of sag periods of over 2+ weeks, in those cases it was the ring with a super slow leak.

I do not have a magnetic filter..no idea how to even install that. I usually raise my suspension and lower to get out of the drive way each time I drive.

As of now I'm not too worried. I got star I can check too.
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Old Sep 29, 2018 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Das Geld 2
Thank you gents

Hopefully it's not the latter with the o-ring and the valve block though I searched all morning and saw 4-5 similar threads of sag periods of over 2+ weeks, in those cases it was the ring with a super slow leak.

I do not have a magnetic filter..no idea how to even install that. I usually raise my suspension and lower to get out of the drive way each time I drive.

As of now I'm not too worried. I got star I can check too.
Mercedes has published documentation stating that lowering after a period of more than one week is normal. If it does continue or happens more frequently try flushing the fluid followed by resealing the block if the flush didn't work
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Old Oct 1, 2018 | 10:07 AM
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From: Byblos,Lebanon
SL 55 , Infinity FX37, Aprilia Caponord Rally
If the valve blocks have no internal leaks , i.e: the piston seals , car should have zero sag .
After i changed all seals on front and rear , car sits sometimes for two weeks with zero sag .
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Old Oct 2, 2018 | 09:23 AM
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From: West Chester, PA - USA
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Magnefine filter is simple to install. Cut the return line about 2" in front of the reservoir nipple, install the filter with two hose clamps in the void and you are done. Pretty sure it is the filter with 1/2" inlet and exit, but it's been 3 years and I don't remember for sure. Measure the diameter of the inlet nipple on the reservoir to be sure if you want to buy one of the filters.
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