87 190E 16V Hydraulic Fluid Refill
 

Hi All,

Does anybody know what kind of fluid is used in the plastic reservoir marked "hydraulic fluid" next to the windshield washer and coolant reservoirs. The reservoir is in the front passenger side of the engine bay close to the radiator. The hose was loose and it had all the fluid leaked out. I need to replace. The fluid that leaked out looks like some kind if high viscosity oil.

I would appreciate any help anybody can provide me. Thanks.

SLS Fluid
 

Hi

I have a 560 SEL that has a self-leveling rear suspension system. I have the same type of reservoir up front (slightly different location). It uses a very special hydraulic fluid. Everyone says that one MUST use genuine Mercedes Benz fluid in there.

I think your 190 16V also has a hydraulic rear suspenion. My guess is that it is this.

If it is, you can buy the fluid online through Fastlane (see link at the top of your screen) at a good price.

Regards
Richard

Yep - that's what it is. I don't know how unique the fluid from the dealer really is, but I've never been desperate enough to risk finding out. If you can get it from Fastlane, do so. I once had the dealer try to charge me $43 US for a quart of the stuff - I complained and got it for $14.

Fill the reservoir and start your engine. The fluid goes through a pump that runs off of your exhaust cam, so the engine must be running to fill the system. The system is self-bleeding, so watch the level as the car runs for a while and keep topping it off when it drops. Once it has stopped dropping that way, drive the car a bit and keep checking the level of the fluid over the next few days, as it may drop more with suspension travel through normal driving.

Thanks for all the help. I believe you're right with the hydraulic suspension. I stopped by the dealer and bought a quart for $15. It looks like it only filled half the reservoir, though. It was completely empty. How much of that stuff do I have to fill the reservoir? does it need to be filled to the top? I might have to buy another quart. Darn, that stuff is expensive. I wish I can get a generic one. I didn't find that stuff in Fastlane.

When you remove the cap it should have a dipstick attached to it that drops down into the filter screen. Its black so you just may not have noticed the marks on it.

I to have to use the dealer fluid because every hydrolic oil I have found list all the other mercedes models that have hydrolic suspention but not the 190 16v. Sure wish there was an advertised fluid to use because flushing the system is quit expensive.