Nothing more than supply and demand, I think. I don't remember their capacity (4-5 quarts?) but they're about the size of many washer fluid resevoirs, made of heavy plastic, basic cap with a metal return line attached and a small filter which resides in the neck of the tank.

Their failure is pretty rare; I'm probably the only one on the forum who has had to replace one. I don't know what caused the holes to develop but I suspect high desert heat and time.

Used resevoirs can be found for $60 bucks or less. Salvage yards units would cost much less, but are rare in the yards as only w123 wagons and long wheel base w116's come equipped with SLS and use the same resevoir. I've only seen one in three years...on a euro w116 (450 sel?) with the coolest creme green velour interior; but didn't have the proper tools to get it off...

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

I just replaced the accumulators in my 1990 560 SEL last night. The ride improved dramatically, though I now have some leaks at the fittings. Hopefully all that is required is a tightening.

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1990 560 SEL- "Goldielocks"
1984 300SD TurboDiesel- "Ole' Blue"

So if I unscrew the cap and lift it out a bit, I should be able to see fluid circulating back into the reservoir while the engine is running?

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1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

Yes. If you're going to do that much work, change the fluid while you're at it. Let the return line run into a container of some kind and feed fresh fluid into the reservoir.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

pulled the cap off yesterday, i didn't see any flow...guess that's why my rear was sagging...i was pulling a trailer. the fluid level is full. today the rear seemed level, but i dropped the trailer last night. I wounder if the pump is shot?

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

Try starting the car and then have to adults sit in the back with the rear open and your feet on the ground. You can feel the rear lift, that is if the pump it working. If nothing happens then your fluid is low or the pump isn't doing it's job.

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Hi, I'm new here, but i've been reading this forum since I have my W123 300TD. I am also sorry, if a similar problem has been discussed before.

The thing is - I have changed both the accumulators and the SLS valve (a tested used one) - my car does rise up as it should and the ride is not hard, nor bouncy - the only problem is that it sags overnight.

The symptom, which I find uncommon, is that after the engine is turned off - I can hear a noise of something loosing pressure - like a tire deflating - could this mean that everything is working fine, only there is a loose connection in the system?

I just wanted to make sure, before rebuilding the pump/changing springs/struts. Maybe you could advice on the next step.

Many thanks.

The hydraulic shocks come to mind. Do you notice any moisture/leaks around the spring perches?

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Valve rebuild. Cheap and relatively easy.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

If only it were so cheap and easy with the T124.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Biodiesel300TD {Andrew} sells rebuild kits for the W123 300TD, with instructions. And pictures!! I've purchased 4 from him I believe.
A great person to do business with!!! Have no fear!

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Thanks, guys.

I'm guessing, that it could be the struts, but since those are so expensive, I'll do a valve rebuild.

If it was the struts youd be leaking. Its the valve.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Hi:

Rear suspension has been low on my list of priorities. The car's rear has been riding low all along, but drives ok by my standards. I looked in the SLS fluid reservoir the other day and learned it was empty.

When I do fill it, I'm prepared to find some sort of leak. What are the chances that the pump and valve and accumulators are still functional, given that the system has presumably been critically low on fluid for several years?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Cheers,

Brad

The chances of the pump still working are minimal.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42