To all who are contemplating this DIY project. I wanted to report that I did as instructed and it worked very well. Thanks so much to MooseMade for posting this. Good info in the benz world forum as well.
Couple of things you didn't mention. 1) Once you've driven the vehicle or done the rodeo for about 15 minutes to get the hydraulic fluid up to temp, the reservoir needs to be emptied and filled with new fluid once doing this test and kept being filled as the old fluid is emptied into the 5 gallon blue bucket(in your video). 2) Mercedes goes thru 10x 1 liter Pentosin CHF-11S hydraulic fluid for proper flush. 3) Change the 3 micron cartridge filter in the hydraulic fluid reservoir. This procedure must be done every 30k miles. I own the following: 1) 2009 SL550 with AMG package(car only has under 18k miles) 2) Foxwell NT510 Elite scanner tool ($125) that does the rodeo test so no need for an assistant. 3) 20 liters of Pentosin CHF-11S. Got it for $210 thru Amazon which is about $11 per liter.....way way cheaper than $25 or $35 per liter. Good for 2 flushes uses 10 liters per flush.
I've owned Mercedes with Airmatic but never ABC or ADS. I have been able to do all my own maintenance so far. I'm trying to learn about ABC and ADS so I don't make a mistake when buying a car. Thanks for your help. Cheers, Matt
Thanks for the video good job. Little Constructive Criticismi it will be nice to see the dirty fluid flowing out, Although the filter is easy to change people that have never changed it,quick video showing how easy the filters is to change, thanks again good job.
Thanks OatesSteve, I thought of that right after I posted it. Sometimes when doing things in one take planning becomes even more important. Sadly I’ve already recycled the fluid. Thank you for watching, and the advice. I hope it is/was helpful. MooseMade
Minor correction. The ABC is always active on these cars. The suspension is all hydraulically controlled, no springs. ABC sport give a firmer “sporty” ride and when switched off you get a softer ride. Think Corvette vs Cadillac but not to that extreme. Makes the maintenance on these systems all that much more important.
Hi and thanks for your input. It seems I misspoke in my description, yes it is always active as you state since it’s a purely hydraulic system, I suppose I was assuming that’s taken for granted. I like the way you described it as a sort of Cadillac vs Corvette feel. Thanks for watching! MooseMade
The pump for the suspension is a “tandem pump” in that it also acts as the power steering pump, when one decides to pull out the ABC one needs to change out the pump for a single duty pump. MooseMade
I had a leaking line on the front left side. So I got the line that I cut out replaced with a flexible psi tube. Hooked it back up and didn’t notice that the new line tightened in 2 spots. Almost as soon as I started car it started spraying. Wasted a can or two of hydraulic fluid until I figured out where it was coming from. Once I got it tightened in both places I refilled reservoir and now when I start it it isn’t leaking or spraying but it still says abc and is not raising up on the left side of car. Which confused me because the pump is obviously working since it sprayed all over the place. Is there a way to reset the abc, I tried disconnecting the front battery. Should I disconnect the rear battery also? I’m thinking since it was leaking until I figured out the problem it has shut the pump off. I just tested the level of the hydraulic fluid and I over filled it, so I will take tube off and let some out into a water bottle. But when I start car as I mentioned about it is no longer leaking or spraying. So I think I at least fixed the leaking line. Any help would be appreciated. Maybe the pump has shut off because I overfilled it? Really not sure.
I am not a Mercedes certified mechanic, but it could be the valve block or since it lost fluid it may need to be cycled a few times to raise the pressure, or perhaps the accumulator for that side.
Just bought a 05 SL500 a few days ago, when changing the fluid you talk about rodeo mode and since doing it yourself, you push on the fenders. You didn’t mention when that’s done. Is it after the flushing or during. Thank you. Also, does the dealer do something additional when flushing, they wanted $600 for the flush and Indy wanted $500. I bought 7 liters and the filter from Pelican for $145. I did buy the Febi Bilstein fluid instead of the Pentosin as they said it was the exact same thing.
Hi, thanks for watching, the “Rodeo” mode is simply the dealer hooking it up to the Mercedes Star computer and it actuates each corner individually. I had a helper raise and lower the suspension while pumping the old out and keeping new going in. I believe it is the same fluid. Essentially doing the same thing, The point of raising and lowering it while pumping is to clear out the fluid, so, I haven’t had any difficulties with it, I’ve had this SL for about 2 years, and it had about 83K on it, now I’ve got 94K and no issues. Thanks again for watching! MooseMade
Do you think changing the power steering filter and fluid will stop the whining that I get. I doesn’t make more noise when turning the wheel left or right. Constant whine
@@moosemadevideo9330 yes all levels are good But after watching some of your videos that ABC fluid ma need changing. Also do p/s and abc have filters the could be clogged?
Thank you for watching, I got the hose from Autohauz AZ, an online store. I have purchased many things from them, I have found them to be reliable and pretty quick. In fact I just purchased a bunch of things for my 88 420SEL that I am bringing back to life. Have a great day!
To all who are contemplating this DIY project. I wanted to report that I did as instructed and it worked very well. Thanks so much to MooseMade for posting this. Good info in the benz world forum as well.
Very helpful, great thanks , just changed ABC fluid on my 65k miles 2005 sl500 following your steps 👍👍
Couple of things you didn't mention.
1) Once you've driven the vehicle or done the rodeo for about 15 minutes to get the hydraulic fluid up to temp, the reservoir needs to be emptied and filled with new fluid once doing this test and kept being filled as the old fluid is emptied into the 5 gallon blue bucket(in your video).
2) Mercedes goes thru 10x 1 liter Pentosin CHF-11S hydraulic fluid for proper flush.
3) Change the 3 micron cartridge filter in the hydraulic fluid reservoir.
This procedure must be done every 30k miles.
I own the following:
1) 2009 SL550 with AMG package(car only has under 18k miles)
2) Foxwell NT510 Elite scanner tool ($125) that does the rodeo test so no need for an assistant.
3) 20 liters of Pentosin CHF-11S. Got it for $210 thru Amazon which is about $11 per liter.....way way cheaper than $25 or $35 per liter. Good for 2 flushes uses 10 liters per flush.
I've owned Mercedes with Airmatic but never ABC or ADS. I have been able to do all my own maintenance so far. I'm trying to learn about ABC and ADS so I don't make a mistake when buying a car. Thanks for your help. Cheers, Matt
Thanks for the video good job. Little Constructive Criticismi it will be nice to see the dirty fluid flowing out, Although the filter is easy to change people that have never changed it,quick video showing how easy the filters is to change, thanks again good job.
Thanks OatesSteve, I thought of that right after I posted it. Sometimes when doing things in one take planning becomes even more important. Sadly I’ve already recycled the fluid. Thank you for watching, and the advice. I hope it is/was helpful.
MooseMade
Great
Thanks
Reminds me, one should always park with front wheels aimed straight ahead
Excellent video and explanation
Great job. Thank you!
Thank you, for watching.
MooseMade
Excellent video!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Minor correction. The ABC is always active on these cars. The suspension is all hydraulically controlled, no springs. ABC sport give a firmer “sporty” ride and when switched off you get a softer ride. Think Corvette vs Cadillac but not to that extreme.
Makes the maintenance on these systems all that much more important.
Hi and thanks for your input. It seems I misspoke in my description, yes it is always active as you state since it’s a purely hydraulic system, I suppose I was assuming that’s taken for granted. I like the way you described it as a sort of Cadillac vs Corvette feel. Thanks for watching!
MooseMade
It would’ve been helpful if you told us what fluid to put in what is it? And are you serious 6 quarts that’s 12 pints?
Great instructions thanx 👍
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.
Hey guys, where do you get the filters ? I see I can get the fluid on Amazon but can’t seem to find the filter. Is this a dealer only part?
Is this the real bulwinkle?? 😳
😅😅😅😅
👍👍👍
Our 2003 sl500 , previous owner had the suspension replaced with shocks. 🤔 what else does this hydrolic system do ???
The pump for the suspension is a “tandem pump” in that it also acts as the power steering pump, when one decides to pull out the ABC one needs to change out the pump for a single duty pump.
MooseMade
What size coupler and clear tubing?
Hi have you done yours? I want to know the size too
I had a leaking line on the front left side. So I got the line that I cut out replaced with a flexible psi tube. Hooked it back up and didn’t notice that the new line tightened in 2 spots. Almost as soon as I started car it started spraying. Wasted a can or two of hydraulic fluid until I figured out where it was coming from. Once I got it tightened in both places I refilled reservoir and now when I start it it isn’t leaking or spraying but it still says abc and is not raising up on the left side of car.
Which confused me because the pump is obviously working since it sprayed all over the place. Is there a way to reset the abc, I tried disconnecting the front battery. Should I disconnect the rear battery also? I’m thinking since it was leaking until I figured out the problem it has shut the pump off. I just tested the level of the hydraulic fluid and I over filled it, so I will take tube off and let some out into a water bottle. But when I start car as I mentioned about it is no longer leaking or spraying. So I think I at least fixed the leaking line. Any help would be appreciated. Maybe the pump has shut off because I overfilled it? Really not sure.
I am not a Mercedes certified mechanic, but it could be the valve block or since it lost fluid it may need to be cycled a few times to raise the pressure, or perhaps the accumulator for that side.
Just bought a 05 SL500 a few days ago, when changing the fluid you talk about rodeo mode and since doing it yourself, you push on the fenders. You didn’t mention when that’s done. Is it after the flushing or during. Thank you. Also, does the dealer do something additional when flushing, they wanted $600 for the flush and Indy wanted $500. I bought 7 liters and the filter from Pelican for $145. I did buy the Febi Bilstein fluid instead of the Pentosin as they said it was the exact same thing.
Hi, thanks for watching, the “Rodeo” mode is simply the dealer hooking it up to the Mercedes Star computer and it actuates each corner individually. I had a helper raise and lower the suspension while pumping the old out and keeping new going in. I believe it is the same fluid. Essentially doing the same thing, The point of raising and lowering it while pumping is to clear out the fluid, so, I haven’t had any difficulties with it, I’ve had this SL for about 2 years, and it had about 83K on it, now I’ve got 94K and no issues. Thanks again for watching!
MooseMade
how many jars did you consume?
Do you think changing the power steering filter and fluid will stop the whining that I get. I doesn’t make more noise when turning the wheel left or right. Constant whine
It sounds like if the level of fluid isn’t low, that the accumulator on the tandem pump might need attention.
@@moosemadevideo9330 👍🏻🙏🏻
@@moosemadevideo9330 yes all levels are good But after watching some of your videos that ABC fluid ma need changing. Also do p/s and abc have filters the could be clogged?
Yeah, it’s a good idea to change the fluid about every 40,000 miles.
@@moosemadevideo9330 how many litres will I need for this?
How many liters do you recommend to flush through? 10?
I like to go until the fluid runs clean, which usually takes about 10 or 11. Thanks for watching!
MooseMade
do you want to be a TV broadcaster haha
Where did you buy the hose ?
Thank you for watching, I got the hose from Autohauz AZ, an online store. I have purchased many things from them, I have found them to be reliable and pretty quick. In fact I just purchased a bunch of things for my 88 420SEL that I am bringing back to life. Have a great day!