Need advice on my 300TE 4MATIC power steering problem
 

i bought this so called service manual and it is very limited on the 4 matic and any hydraulic problems , my guess would be a power steering pump is probably blown a seal and it is leaking into the rear pump which is where your hydrualic pump is , the pump is dual purpose and has a seperate reservoir for p.s and if the fluid is going from the reservoir th the hydraulic it is most likely the cause. i have a 4 matic and it also uses the same type of pump look into the pump funtions in the manual

sounds like you will need a new or rebuilt tandem pump.im not sure if parts or seals are available for a DIY.how fast does it leak down?:)

Thank you for the reply
 

The shop manual I bought was the two CD digital version and your right about the limited information on 300TE 4Matics. The power steering fluid depletes in about 15 minutes or after driving about 4 or 5 miles. I spoke to the head service mechanic at the local MB dealership and he is concerned about the system(s) fluid contamination. He figured a minimum of 4 hours labor and and a new tandem pump. And that might fix it or at least get them to a point to see what else needs to be done. All the systems will need to be evacuated and bled. He also said that sometimes the gas charged shocks have hydraulic fluid leak into them and may also need work. The leveling system was just rebuilt before I bought it in July and I hope that is not the case. Since the power steering and hydraulic system use different fluids it seem weird that they would mix when a seal goes out. I appreciate your input and would also be more suspicious of the PS unit than the tandem one. I did read about the check valve in the manual. The dealership recommends and will only replace the whole tandem pump because he said other things are probably worn in it too. Thanks again, Paul :cool:

One other thing
 

Does any one else with a 4Matic have problems with it being slow to back up in reverse? Mine takes a while for reverse to engage but when it does it feels real strong -- not like its slipping. Especially if I running about 1500-2000 rpm or so it will squeal the tires when it kicks in. I'm suspicious of the 4matic or its probably the transmission. Just turned over 151,000 miles on it.

my experience with the dealership is they overcharge especially on older models.i was quoted $1200 cdn for a 4 wheel alignment recently which a local independant shop did for $135.my advise is try to find a good independant mbz garage in your area.R and R of the tandem pump including fluid replacement of the hydraulic system would only take a layman like me 2 hrs in my driveway.if you would like to attempt to DIY there is lots of support available on this site:)

on the slow reverse engagement do a complete tranny fluid change using a good synthetic ATF.drive it for awhile if no improvement it may indicate a band problem inside.:)

the slow engagement of reverse is almost certainly old,worn reverse clutches.sorry to be the bearer of bad news.