mikekaro

I've got a 05 SL65, and the passenger front is dropping overnight. Also, getting momentary ABC errors (red) on the dash. No leaks that I can see, so I'm thinking accumulator is bad. Is this accumulator located behind the fender well on the passenger side? And will I need to drain the system to change it?

Thanks all, appreciate the assistance.

Bwollen

Mike, I think there are two one on each front side. I got the same indication RED warning, plus mine start pucking .hydraulic fluid. . I had the dealer replace them at the tune of $2,100

Das Geld 2

I was under the impression the valve block has to be leaking for it to sag overnight.

MikeJ65

Sagging is a blocking valve problem. The red ABC warning is probably car too low on that corner.

mikekaro

If the valve block is leaking, then wouldn't I see fluid? I'll have to take a closer look. Is the valve block inside the passenger fender well also?

MikeJ65

It is likely an internal leak past the blocking valve and back to the reservoir. Each corner has a control valve and a blocking valve. The control valves will have a small amount of fluid bypass, so the blocking valves are there to prevent sagging when the car is parked. There is a short period after shutdown when the control valves are still trying to level the car and the blocking valve is open. After a couple of minutes, the control valves shut down and the blocking valves close (unpowered state). If the car moves after that, it is because of fluid bypassing the blocking valve or the strut piston (or an external leak). On the R230, the blocking valve is the more common issue.

mikekaro

@MikeJ65 But this is all part of the same valve block, correct? Thinking of doing a full o-ring replacement. Also wondering if the momentary ABC red I'm getting on the dash is the accumulator on that corner...

MikeJ65

There is a front valve block in front of the front left wheel and a rear valve block in front of the rear left wheel. Both have 2 control valves, 2 blocking valves, and and accumulator. If you are getting the red ABC warning on startup, it is probably because at least one corner sagged low enough to trigger it. If you are getting warnings when you go over bumps, that is at least one bad accumulator and probably both. Replacing the o-rings is where I would start. It won't solve every sagging issue, but it will fix the majority.

mikekaro

@MikeJ65 Yes, I am getting the warnings going over a bump, have been for a while. The sagging just started happening. So I may be looking at 2 issues here. So maybe I'll do both at once. Thanks for the info!

mikekaro

Wonder if it's worth picking this up and doing the swap all at once: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124838679913

MikeJ65

Well, a used one runs about $300 and probably needs o-rings and an accumulator. A Corteco accumulator is about $115 and a valve rebuild kit with clips and backing rings is about $50, so looking at it that way, they are charging around $50 to clean it up and install the o-rings and accumulator. Of course, you still have the hassle of selling your old one. The rebuild is easier than removing and replacing the valve, but I can't say that the price is out of line compared to a used, untested unit with little to no warranty.