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Self level suspension hose warning
This is intended as a word of advice to those with models fitted with self-levelling suspension of a similar age to mine. I recently took my family on an interstate vacation where we covered around 3000km in our well laden 1990 300TE. Around 1000km into the journey I decided to check under the bonnet (hood). I was alarmed to see my previously perfectly clean engine covered in oil. Much of the engine and engine bay was contaminated but particularly the right side of the engine block. Some oil had also been thrown from the pulleys at the front leading me to initially think the front crankshaft seal had failed. On closer inspection I noticed that the oil was very light. This made me look at the SLS reservoir which was low.
It turns out that the high pressure hose leading from the pump (part of steering pump on 300TE - shown "A" in attached pic) under the engine and up to the rigid line (shown "B") at the rear of the engine bay on the oposite side of the engine had begun to leak. The leak was in the area between the engine block and alternator (shown circled) where the hose is exposed to the greatest amount of heat. The hose had failed during the journey possibly due to the greater pressures experienced as a result of the extra load in the rear of the wagon. The hose only carries high pressure while raising the suspension to compensate for additional load and as a result of suspension movement while driving. Fortunately, I was able to purchase a replacement hose (at great expense) from a Mercedes dealer and fit it before continuing our journey. Had I not been able to do this, I had intended to disconnect the control rod at the control valve at the rear of the car. By then setting the valve in the neutral position, the hose would not have been exposed to high pressure for the remainder of the journey, thus preventing further fluid loss and the risk of the reservoir emptying and causing the pump to run dry. I have posted this to alert other owners of a fault that can catch you out at an inconvenient time. In my case, the car is very well maintained, however the failing area of the hose was not visible until the hose was removed. Fortunately, I was able to replace the hose and we did not experience excessive inconvenience to our vacation.
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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership). 107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour. 124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex. 201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather. 201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex. 201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather. ![]() |
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