Auto-leveling question for techs.
 

I was wondering what the symptoms were for "low accumulator pressure" in the auto-level system; specifically a 1998 E320 wagon.

How is ride affected? and, how is the auto-leveling function affected?

My accumulators are not bad (the ride isn't "rock-hard") but I suspect they are getting so. The ride is not as smooth as it was; the struts, I've been told by 3 mechanics, are fine. The system has been flushed.

Any input would be of help.

Intruder

When my accumulators went the ride went bouncy over a period of time getting worse and worse!!!
My advice would be to change them as it is not hard and the parts are cheap,the difference it made was worth every penny.
Hamish

Accumulators
 

Intruder,
I have had two experiences with the auto-leveling system; one in an '80 300TD wagon, and one in my '93 500SEL. The wagon rode hard and the 140 seemed to "sag" at first, then went "bouncy" similar to Hamish's situation. In both cases the accumulators were replaced and the problem was solved. I have been told by techs that the struts very rarely go bad, and there are not many other components in the system as I recall.

I would change the accumulators, but I wonder why the three techs didn't tell you the same thing if they told you the struts were OK? Did the change in ride occur before of after you had the fluid changed? Just curious. BTW, I did the job on the wagon and it was not hard to do. Probably should get the procedure from here or a shop manual to be sure of the steps if you decide to do this yourself IMHO. :)

Redflash

Thanks,

That helps a lot. BTW the fluid change made no difference in the ride. Two mechanics were with local dealers and the car was close to the end of it's warrenty so I think they just wanted to "put it off" until it was MY problem. (not reputable dealers BTW).
It looks easy to do from the instructions.

Intruder

I was going to start a new thread on this very subject. I recently bought a 1983 300TD and I am trying to become more familar with this leveling system. I was wondering, once the rear end is load with extra weight, how fast should the back end come back up to level? The ride doesn't seem to be bouncy or hard. I recently bought a new T.V. and it ways 103 lbs. When I loaded it into the wagon the back end of course sagged a little bit, but I didn't really see it go back up. Of course the engine was only at idle speed.