85 300TD wagon- leak at shock - very wet at bottom of shock where it bolts in (bottom of shock) Question - does pump continually move fluid through system even if the back is not being raised or lowered? In other words, if the car is idling - say 2 minuted -no movement in back - should fluid be pouring into reservoir at a constant rate? (If I take off cover and look?) Or would I only see fluid being pumped into reservoir as car is either being raised oe lowered? I have not checked valve lever yet, car is a little low in back. Would a leaky shock or any other leak, or misadjusted valve lever cause no movement of fluid (back into reservoir) Could there be a blockage in the return or somewhere else? Thanks.

If the strut is leaking, it's shot. Replacement is the only cure that I know of. Sorry. Check the fitting on the strut before condeming the strut, though -- they are expensive.

Drooping in the rear is usually low fluid, bad pump, or faulty struts, about in that order (and in the order of expense).

Pump runs continuously, fluid only moves when the leveling valve lever moves.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Thanks Peter - I feel better about the pump now - Like I said before - I still have not checked the position of the lever yet - it may have slipped or moved a little.

Just to clarify what psfred says, the fluid is pumped around the system continuously from the reservoir, though the pump, to the control valve and back to the reservoir.

When the suspension needs raising the control valve diverts fluid into the shocks until the correct height is reached. During this time fluid is not returned to the reservoir and the level drops.

When the suspension needs lowering the control valve drains fluid from the shocks back the reservoir, if the car is unloaded with the engine stopped you can see this fluid running into the reservoir and the level returns to normal.

The fluid in the shocks is under the pressure of the weight of the car (well most of it, the coil springs take some) always, so there is potential for a leak all the time.

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Mick J
'08 Chrysler 300CRD (MB OM 642 engine)
'95 E220 estate
'89 230TE (R.I.P.)