Hey All,

My 300td wagon had no hydraulic fluid when I purchased it. It looked like the low pressure hose from the bottom of the reservoir to the pump had been leaking so I replaced that. Filled it up, and turned the key. Luckily the pump seems to be undamaged from being run dry.

But when I looked under the car I saw a stream of fluid. I had noticed wetness back there but thought it was the differential or something. Instead it seems to be one of the three hard lines running to the leveling valve. For some reason one is much rustier than the others and apparently corroded through.

It's the leftmost one in this photo (taken looking toward the back of the car, on the passenger side). It starts as the lowest one on the valve, and ends here. What the heck is this line that just runs to nowhere!?

Thanks in advance,

Attached Thumbnails

 

that is your fuel tank vent line. nothing to do with the SLS system at all.

__________________
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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Umm, what does the fluid smell like? Hydraulic fluid or Diesel fuel?

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Woops. Its defifnitely hydraulic. I got my lines crossed in my haste during my lunch hour.

So, I think the leak is from the RIGHTMOST line in the photo from the previous post. Tracing that forward, it looks like it is the line the comes from the pump to the valve (B1 in the attached diagram). It could be C on the diagram though too. Hard to tell. There is also another line up there but I can't see where it goes too. Could it be to the strut? These tend to leak at the fitting on the strut correct? It is something high and above the differential area that is leaking.

Dumb question ahead, but: how the hell does one replace these lines? Do you have to buy them pre-bent? Can you wiggle them into place or do I have to take half the car apart to get them in. AHHHHH

Not easy to piece this puzzle together with a flashlight and a puddle of fluid to avoid. If I can stem the flow a little I can roll it up on blocks so its easier to work on....

Attached Thumbnails

 

Back to the lines, I see I could buy sections and bend them myself with a bending tool. Not excited about doing that job on the ground though.

What about soft flexible hose? wouldn't that be simpler?

Any help/thoughts appreciated!