Vehicle: 2003 SL500, 2008 E-350 4Matic Premium II Sport Package, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
Location: Allentown, Pa
Posts: 20
SL Top goes in and out too SLOWLY!
Starting yesterday, my hardtop came out at a snail's pace and went back in the same way. I had to stop pulling the switch several times, and re-employing it...over and over again with my fingers crossed. I got scared that the top would stay half open and not move...as there was a thunderstorm on its way.
I have a 2003 500SL and it just turned 10,000 miles. I have posted on the other SL forum but I'm still hoping that someone responds who had this happen to them. I'd love to know if I can fix this, or is it a Dealer fix?
This happened rather suddenly, and I'm not sure if it's tied to hydraulics or electrical failure.
Vehicle: 2003 SL500, 2008 E-350 4Matic Premium II Sport Package, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
Location: Allentown, Pa
Posts: 20
No one seems to be replying to this. That's OK. I think I found out the answer to my problem today. Low hydraulic fluid in the trunk where the hydraulic container is located. Why? Still don't know. It's going to the Dealer on Thursday. We'll see.
Stan
Vehicle: 2003 SL500, 2008 E-350 4Matic Premium II Sport Package, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
Location: Allentown, Pa
Posts: 20
Well,
The Dealer fixed my top. That's the good news. It supposedly works perfectly after they filled the hydraulic container in the trunk and bled the air out of the system. I have a loaner car, and I will pick up the SL500 tomorrow morning.
The bad news is that they do not know WHERE the hydraulic fluid has gone to. Because it's an oil, it certainly didn't evaporate. My only explanation is that I bought this car last November with 7800 miles on it (an '03) and it did sit in a garage and it wasn't driven regularly. When I bought it...it must have been close to the point where the fluid was low and after some use, perhaps the seals were dry, and absorbed the fluid. I don't know. They checked all six of the hydraulic pumps and they were not leaking. They are stumped. But all I can do is take the car, enjoy it, and see if the fluid level goes down again. There are no spots on my garage floor, and they spent the entire day working on it. Because there were no parts involved, I will pay approximately $169.00 for labor. Had a part been replaced, my bill would have been $0 because I have an all inclusive warranty which covers the hydraulic pumps and everything.
Actually, I'm glad to pay the labor fee because this technician worked hard on it. I will also tip my service writer and mechanic at the Dealers as I always do.
I'll report again after I get the car and check it for myself. I WILL check the fluid level regularly to see if it happens again.
I'm up for suggestions.
Any Mercedes technicians out there? I'd love to hear your theories.
Vehicle: 2003 SL500, 2008 E-350 4Matic Premium II Sport Package, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
Location: Allentown, Pa
Posts: 20
It's been about 2 weeks now since my "sluggish" top was fixed. It's still working great, but the hydraulic fluid level in the trunk canister is INDEED GOING DOWN. It's only a matter of time when the problem starts again. Guaranteed! I put a black mark on the side of the hydraulic fluid canister where you can read the level, and it's down about a quarter of an inch. WHERE CAN IT POSSIBLY BE GOING? The Dealer found no leaks and he bled the system. There are no wet marks on my garage floor, and the car sits for days at a time. I am absolutely at a loss for ideas. When I stand outside the car and operate the top with my key, I do notice that the hydraulic pump in the trunk sounds rather noisy when operating.
I will give it back to the dealer again, but they will be frustrated too when I call....since they worked with the car for a few days.
Hydraulic fluid is in a "closed" system. Any ideas out there?
Vehicle: 2003 SL500, 2008 E-350 4Matic Premium II Sport Package, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
Location: Allentown, Pa
Posts: 20
Interesting...a fine mist. That would account for how slowly it goes down. I can't tell the color because I can only see it in the canister in the trunk. That canister is translucent white, so that you can read the level, but it's not clear enough to distinguish the color inside it. I will check with the dealer.
It is my understanding that there are as many as 8 pumps in the car. I wonder how they can check for a leak that is so fine. perhaps it's a fitting of a hose to a pump that is not quite tight enough?
My dealer is getting the car tomorrow (Tuesday), and I'm getting a free loaner car.
The fluid is similar to dot3 brake fluid. I would wrap a paper towel around each hydraulic hose and move from one end to another. If the paper towel is wet, you found the area of the leak.
How many hoses are coming out of the canister? There should be a metal block with hoses coming out of it other the other end if the white canister.
__________________
2002 SLK320
2004 SL500
Last edited by tiggerfink : 06-30-2008 at 08:58 PM.
Linear Mode
