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#1
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Changing W124 power steering fluid
Can anyone share their experience getting this job done? How much fluid does the system hold, and would siphoning out & replacing the fluid in the reservoir be worth doing? Can you siphon fluid out with the car running, and could any damage be done running the system dry for a short while?
Any/all input is appreciated
__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss Michael 2014 E63S Estate 2006 SLK55 1995 E500 1986 Porsche 944 turbo |
#2
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The reservoir holds about a quart of fluid, but the rest of the system (steering box and hoses) hold nearly another quart. Or at least that is true on the 108.
You can suck the reservoir dry, top up, run the engine and repeat the process until all clear fluid is present. But that takes a lot of fluid. Some people just suck out the fluid from the reservoir and top up, at least that is a partial change. You could drain the resevoir, top up and the crack open the bleeder valve on the side of the steering box, attach a line to the valve and place the end in an empty milk jug. Next step takes like five hands, hold the line in the jug, start the engine and keep the reservoir topped until clear fluid enters the jug. Secure the bleeder and close the system. When you have the reservoir dry, that is a good time to replace the steering filter at the bottom of the reservoir.
__________________
Mike Tangas '73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72 '02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel Non illegitemae carborundum. |
#3
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Thanks guys. I'll check out the bleeder valve-is there definitely one on a W124?
Understood on the filter-just picked up 3 of them. Changed the Diesel filter today, as I have an incomplete service history on that car and figured that would be a good first step. Next I'll flush it and replace the filter again-should be good for a long time after that.
__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss Michael 2014 E63S Estate 2006 SLK55 1995 E500 1986 Porsche 944 turbo |
#4
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I cannot say for sure if the 124 has one, but I can't think why it wouldn't. It would be toward the top of the box, probably on the inboard side. Looks just like a brake bleeder, maybe larger.
Plus. if this is on the 500, it will be a tight fit to see or access the bleeder. I'd check the TE first .
__________________
Mike Tangas '73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72 '02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel Non illegitemae carborundum. |
#5
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Mike T-
I'll do the "D" first-even more room underhood than the TE with M103 motor. I will check all my cars this afternoon and advise.
__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss Michael 2014 E63S Estate 2006 SLK55 1995 E500 1986 Porsche 944 turbo |
#6
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Michael,
What's the verdict - bleeder screw or not? Inquiring minds want to know .
__________________
Mike Tangas '73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72 '02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel Non illegitemae carborundum. |
#7
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Well, I never saw a bleeder...but I didn't look real hard either. What I did do was to siphon the reservoir dry, including the tube going to the steering box, and refilled it with new juice (I'd removed the filter for this). Fired the car up, let it run for a minute, then went thru the process again maybe 6-7 times. Used up 2 quarts of fluid, and think the job called for closer to 3 since the fluid still has a slight red tinge to it (replacement fluid's yellow). Big improvement, though-now you can read the writing on the filter through the fluid.
I'm gonna pick up a bunch of fluid and do all the cars-it looks like this system works pretty hard. Thanks Senior Tangas
__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss Michael 2014 E63S Estate 2006 SLK55 1995 E500 1986 Porsche 944 turbo |
#8
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This may sound like a questionable practice but the way I have done this on W123 Diesels is to siphon out the reservoir, change the filter, then take the return line off the reservoir and direct it to an old coffee can that fits in the area, then have someone like my wife or one of my kids start the car while I carefully pour new fluid in, maintaining a little fluid over the filter, until the stuff coming out is clean. Then I shut the car off and put the line back and fill the reservoir, run the car, check it and top it off if it needs it. Job done.
My 190E 2.3-16 has too much stuff in under the hood to do that and I have therefore had the dealer change the fluid and filter. I think they do something similar, probably on a lift, and disconnect at the power steering box. If you have a lift or can get under the car to work on it comfortably, this is probably the easiest way to do it without using too much fluid, and it really allows you to flush the crud out. Jim
__________________
Own: 1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles), 1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000, 1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles, 1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles. 2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles Owned: 1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law), 1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot), 1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned), 1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles), 1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep) |
#9
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As I understand from the dealer, my method of siphoning the reservoir dry then re-filling it is the one used the dealer techs.
I just picked up 5 quarts to do my other 2 cars-the TE fluid looks terrible!
__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss Michael 2014 E63S Estate 2006 SLK55 1995 E500 1986 Porsche 944 turbo |
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