Klaus from Top Hydraulics is beyond any doubt, one of the best experts in the world on convertible tops. His company's products and services are excellent.
I changed it in my 98 sl500 last year,it was full but nearly black. I did remove the reservoir and cleaned it,as well as replaced the filter. My sl600 is still fairly clean,but I did change it about 6 years ago. I find this to be a good preventative item,but not everyone believes in doing preventative maintenance, some prefer to only do repairs once they have a malfunction. I have been in the automotive field for 40 years now,I see both sides of the coin,but I will always stick to proper lubrication with good and proper fluids over the alternative. As a note,my 98 was newer to me when I changed it,I believe it to have been original.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m with you, I’m a strong believer that with preventative and regular maintenance these cars, and others, will keep on driving and going for many, many years to come. The alternative leads to breakdown and expensive repairs.
WHAT I DID after getting my pump back from Klaus was pour new MB fluid into the reservoir , disconnect the return line , place it into a small container, run the top , fill the reservoir . Run the top ect… until the old fluid was completely removed. I was in complete disbelief to how filthy the fluid was. Looking into the reservoir originally, it looked fine to me, but it was not. TOP HYDRAULICS are the best. Replaced all the seals on my cylinders and the videos Claus made were just absolutely mission critical. By the time I got around to actually replacing the cylinders, it was as if I’ve done it many times before. My Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129 AMG (Sport Package) is still good as new. I can’t believe I actually own this car … I picked it up for 6500 from Original Owner. I’ve poured thousands into it, all labor done by myself and every penny is worth it.
Thanks. The technique you used, is what I call Method 2 in the video. Most of us, like you, are in disbelief just how dirty the fluid can get. I am a big fan of Top Hydraulics and Klaus and his replacement cylinder videos. I love the AMG Sport Package on the R129 - great car and great purchase. Keep enjoying it.
I have seen a method such that the entire pump is removed with the reservoir still attached to the pump tipped over and emptied and cleaned using excess new fluid. the who thing re-installed as one piece in the car.
This method works and is a good method. It’s a variant of the video’s Method 3. It’s good because the clamp holding the reservoir tank is never removed. The only caution I have with the method you describe - is that you should only use clean ZH-M fluid to swoosh around the reservoir to clean it. Never put any other cleaning liquid in there because you can never be 100% confident you can take it all out. Thanks passing along this method.
@@HandyVal@HandyVal, your video is great. I never thought of disconnecting the return leg and draining all of the old fluid while topping up the reservoir with new fluid.
My R129 is 33 years old and the fluid is still clear and the reservoir is filled properly. It's a sealed system. How dirty can it get? I've got better things to do than change this fluid yearly as a maintenance item. Just check the level from time to time for indication of leaks. If I lost a seal someplace, then of course it would be necessary to add fluid.
33 years and clear fluid is amazing! Whatever you are doing, keep doing it. On many R129s it's very common that it gets dirty...actually it turns black. My suggestion of annual maintenance was really about Method 1 - removing what's in the reservoir and then adding fresh fluid. I appreciate you sharing your experience and thoughts on this practice.
"How dirty can it get?" Even though it's a sealed system,it will naturally have a breakdown of the fluid,it will have deterioration of seals,and it will have the metallic deposits due to the natural function of the cylinders. This is why some will look black. If yours is clear still,that is fantastic,but I have had 4 r129s, and it is not the norm. Just curious,do you use your top a lot? I could see one with seldom use staying much cleaner than one with moderate use.
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Claus from Top Hydraulics recommended changing the fluid every 3yrs.
He is an expert of all hydraulic roof systems
Klaus from Top Hydraulics is beyond any doubt, one of the best experts in the world on convertible tops. His company's products and services are excellent.
I changed it in my 98 sl500 last year,it was full but nearly black. I did remove the reservoir and cleaned it,as well as replaced the filter. My sl600 is still fairly clean,but I did change it about 6 years ago. I find this to be a good preventative item,but not everyone believes in doing preventative maintenance, some prefer to only do repairs once they have a malfunction. I have been in the automotive field for 40 years now,I see both sides of the coin,but I will always stick to proper lubrication with good and proper fluids over the alternative. As a note,my 98 was newer to me when I changed it,I believe it to have been original.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m with you, I’m a strong believer that with preventative and regular maintenance these cars, and others, will keep on driving and going for many, many years to come. The alternative leads to breakdown and expensive repairs.
Very nice informational video Val. You’re helping a lot of us with our R129’s DIY maintenances! Blessing 🙏
Thank you. This is one area of maintenance that is a fairly easy DIY but yields a lot of future savings.
WHAT I DID after getting my pump back from Klaus was pour new MB fluid into the reservoir , disconnect the return line , place it into a small container, run the top , fill the reservoir . Run the top ect… until the old fluid was completely removed. I was in complete disbelief to how filthy the fluid was. Looking into the reservoir originally, it looked fine to me, but it was not. TOP HYDRAULICS are the best. Replaced all the seals on my cylinders and the videos Claus made were just absolutely mission critical. By the time I got around to actually replacing the cylinders, it was as if I’ve done it many times before. My Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129 AMG (Sport Package) is still good as new. I can’t believe I actually own this car … I picked it up for 6500 from Original Owner. I’ve poured thousands into it, all labor done by myself and every penny is worth it.
Thanks. The technique you used, is what I call Method 2 in the video. Most of us, like you, are in disbelief just how dirty the fluid can get. I am a big fan of Top Hydraulics and Klaus and his replacement cylinder videos. I love the AMG Sport Package on the R129 - great car and great purchase. Keep enjoying it.
Great content as always !
@@jayi836 Many thanks. Always appreciated. It’s a good topic and I’m happy to provide a few options for the DIY.
I have seen a method such that the entire pump is removed with the reservoir still attached to the pump tipped over and emptied and cleaned using excess new fluid. the who thing re-installed as one piece in the car.
This method works and is a good method. It’s a variant of the video’s Method 3. It’s good because the clamp holding the reservoir tank is never removed. The only caution I have with the method you describe - is that you should only use clean ZH-M fluid to swoosh around the reservoir to clean it. Never put any other cleaning liquid in there because you can never be 100% confident you can take it all out. Thanks passing along this method.
@@HandyVal@HandyVal, your video is great. I never thought of disconnecting the return leg and draining all of the old fluid while topping up the reservoir with new fluid.
My R129 is 33 years old and the fluid is still clear and the reservoir is filled properly. It's a sealed system. How dirty can it get? I've got better things to do than change this fluid yearly as a maintenance item. Just check the level from time to time for indication of leaks. If I lost a seal someplace, then of course it would be necessary to add fluid.
33 years and clear fluid is amazing! Whatever you are doing, keep doing it. On many R129s it's very common that it gets dirty...actually it turns black. My suggestion of annual maintenance was really about Method 1 - removing what's in the reservoir and then adding fresh fluid. I appreciate you sharing your experience and thoughts on this practice.
"How dirty can it get?" Even though it's a sealed system,it will naturally have a breakdown of the fluid,it will have deterioration of seals,and it will have the metallic deposits due to the natural function of the cylinders. This is why some will look black. If yours is clear still,that is fantastic,but I have had 4 r129s, and it is not the norm. Just curious,do you use your top a lot? I could see one with seldom use staying much cleaner than one with moderate use.