It appears that over the past week or so, the SLS reservoir has completely emptied of fluid in my driveway. And I obviously no longer have a working SLS system.

Is there an obvious place that I might have a leak to look for? On my '81, the reservoir is at the very front passenger side of the car. I know there is a line leading over to the pump from there. Since it was leaking also while the car was at rest, does it make sense that the leak was somewhere between the tank and the pump?

Is there a 'good' way to check for leaks. Thanks for any advice.

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

The most likely place for external leaks is the high pressure line coming off the pump. The supply line can also leak, both of these have rubber segments that can deteriorate. Do some searching here on replacing the high pressure line. You'll have to have a hydraulic or hose and fitting shop build you a new one. Most of the stuff in the rear doesn't leak, and when they do it's usually drips. When the high pressure side goes, you'll get a big mess of SLS fluid all over the engine bay.

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Thanks BioDiesel. Sounds like I have a high pressure side leak.. Plenty of cleanup to do in the engine bay

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

You can also lose fluid from the cap seal on the tank, if it's damaged or missing. But that's pretty obvious -- the top of the tank will be oily, and you'll have a puddle of fluid on the crossmember under it.

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1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png

Repairing hydraulic hose for SLS hydropneumatic suspension on TD

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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

Thanks for all the help. I will get in there and replace the line tomorrow.

Have I done damage to my SLS pump by driving with an empty system for the past week or so? Have I cooked it? Is there some way to test it while I am in there before I reassemble it all and recharge it with fluid??

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

No sls pumps can run dry for a long time without damage.

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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

I am sure it hasn't done it any favors, but I've seen one that was run dry for an extended period of time function fine after being refilled. So I would just fill it up and see.

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1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png

Well the deed is done. That was a bear to get those fittings back together all the way to their shoulders. In fact I came up about 3/16" shy on the banjo end. The Gates 6G2 hose has a much heavier wall than the MB oem hose...

But I filled it with fluid, and a test drive saw no leaks, and it appears SLS is back in business. A nice flow of return fluid to the reservoir, etc. Thanks all...until next time.

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD