Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-13-2011, 10:06 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,848
Change Your Brake Fluid

I just changed mine. It had been in there since I did some major brake work in 2005. It came out a little dark, but not milky, and I live in a pretty dry area. Also, the fluid level went down while I had the car in storage for a year, and got a little air in the system. Now my normal pedal and "hand of God" brakes are functioning as they should. I used the vacuum pump with brake bleeder accessories that I got from Harbor Freight for like 5 bucks. Easy day.

Now I just need to change my power steering fluid and filter, air filter (surprisingly dirty after only 8000 miles), fix my dash lights, climate control, vacuum locks...

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-14-2011, 03:25 AM
DeliveryValve's Avatar
Chairman of my Benz
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 4,159
Mercedes Factory Maintenance Schedule requires the brake fluid be changed once a year, preferably in the spring.




.
__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System


Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-14-2011, 07:32 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,848
I know. I let it slip a bit (5 1/2 years). The domestic OEMs don't even call for this service, or at least they didn't in the times when I was driving domestics.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-14-2011, 08:27 AM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippy View Post
I know. I let it slip a bit (5 1/2 years). The domestic OEMs don't even call for this service, or at least they didn't in the times when I was driving domestics.
Because most domestic cars are entering a crusher by their 8th year.
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-14-2011, 10:32 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posts: 6,510
I have always though there was a financial dividend in changing out the brake fluid every year or two. Many cars still have a lot of their original fluid.

Usually anything in life that pays you to do should be at least seriously considered. Also since failure of the brake system should be less frequent with fluid changes there are safety issues with just letting it go.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-14-2011, 10:59 AM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,832
fluid does not just disappear... I'd start looking for the leaking hose/line...
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-14-2011, 11:12 AM
Diesel911's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 50,968
No recommendation but for myself the Fluid sort of gets changed when I work on the Calipers and I bleed the Fluid out until clear.
Other than that as long as the Brakes work I am not concerned about the Fluid.

They sell the Denatured Alcohol to clean the system out but I have never seen or met anyone who as flushed the system with that before adding new Brake fluid.

I also do not see any difference between the Mercedes Brake System and other Brake Systems that looks like it needs any special attention or procedures.
__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-14-2011, 07:46 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
Posts: 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliveryValve View Post
Mercedes Factory Maintenance Schedule requires the brake fluid be changed once a year, preferably in the spring.




.
The service booklet in the glove box of my 98 e300d says every two years.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-14-2011, 08:07 PM
toomany MBZ's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Va
Posts: 7,820
Quote:
Originally Posted by vstech View Post
fluid does not just disappear... I'd start looking for the leaking hose/line...
Agreed, top it up and there is still a drop in level without any fluid on the ground, the best bet is a failing M/C leaking into the brake booster.

pawoSD, good point.
__________________
83 SD

84 CD
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-14-2011, 08:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,848
I went down while the car sat in storage for a year. After I topped it up, the level didn't change. Whatever leakage occurred seems to have stopped when regular operation resumed. It probably isn't a bad idea for me to check my booster for fluid though.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-15-2011, 10:15 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Posts: 2,512
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeliveryValve View Post
Mercedes Factory Maintenance Schedule requires the brake fluid be changed once a year, preferably in the spring.




.
Two years on his 2005, one year on your 1983.
__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-15-2011, 10:20 AM
JHZR2's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,265
Maybe due to DOT 3 vs 4 fluid being used?

DOT 4 will absorb water faster, but has a far higher starting and wet boiling temperature, so perhaps is OK, versus the temperatures that DOT3 can come down to.

Just a thought.
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-15-2011, 10:26 AM
compu_85's Avatar
Cruisin on Electric Ave.
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: La Conner, WA
Posts: 5,234
The change was in the flexible lines. The newer ones let less moisture in.

Honestly for the speeds seen on NA roads every 2 years is fine with DOT4 fluid.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page