Hydraulic fluid leak--SL500 1997
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 53
From: SoCalifornia
RE: Hydraulic fluid leak--SL500 1997
is there any kits or seals available? NO
could this be the result of the latch cyl. leaking? YES and loss of fluid. When you repair you will need two liters of fluid. See above answer.
could this be the result of the latch cyl. leaking? YES and loss of fluid. When you repair you will need two liters of fluid. See above answer.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
RE: Hydraulic fluid leak--SL500 1997
Dennis,
I sent you an email to mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net.
I would like to send you the cylinders that lift the top.
Thanks.
Joe Neel
I sent you an email to mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net.
I would like to send you the cylinders that lift the top.
Thanks.
Joe Neel
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1
RE: Hydraulic fluid leak--SL500 1997
I have a leaking cylinder or the front right side. The repair shop just told me it is two hours of labor and $500 per cylinder to have it fixed.
BUT HERE IS MY QUESTION. I would prefer to just plug off the cylinders in front and operate them by hand with the wrench. Can that be done and have the rest of the system work?
PS. I just joined. You guys are great and have already helped me a bunch. Thank you!
BUT HERE IS MY QUESTION. I would prefer to just plug off the cylinders in front and operate them by hand with the wrench. Can that be done and have the rest of the system work?
PS. I just joined. You guys are great and have already helped me a bunch. Thank you!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 386
From:
RE: Hydraulic fluid leak--SL500 1997
ORIGINAL: 500man
I have a leaking cylinder or the front right side. The repair shop just told me it is two hours of labor and $500 per cylinder to have it fixed.
Tirst, get a new shop! All the cylinders can be rebuilt!For the front...the pair will run you about $80 to rebuild and everyone should recommend that if one side is leaking, the other is soon to follow.
Go to the post from Lynns earlier in this string for the links to the wiki site that has the instructions on how to change out the cylinders yourself. I did it...and if I can, you can as I'm about as techie as a stone. The email address for our cylinder rebuilder is mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net
BUT HERE IS MY QUESTION. I would prefer to just plug off the cylinders in front and operate them by hand with the wrench. Can that be done and have the rest of the system work?
I can only give you a qualified,'Maybe' you can. Some of the 129's do not provide access to the rear latches and I can't tell what model year you have.Look in the trunk next to the lift arms that connect the hinge to the lid. Next to them may be an access plate that you can pull off to get access to the rear latches. Check your owners manual for details! To plugthe lines, you have to open the moulding anyway, remove thefailed cylinders and plug the lines. If you go that far, send the cylindersto be rebuilt as Dennis, the rebuilder, turns them aroundin 1-2 days after he gets them so you won't be without automatictop operation for long making trunk access moot, imo.
Bob
PS. I just joined. You guys are great and have already helped me a bunch. Thank you!
I have a leaking cylinder or the front right side. The repair shop just told me it is two hours of labor and $500 per cylinder to have it fixed.
Tirst, get a new shop! All the cylinders can be rebuilt!For the front...the pair will run you about $80 to rebuild and everyone should recommend that if one side is leaking, the other is soon to follow.
Go to the post from Lynns earlier in this string for the links to the wiki site that has the instructions on how to change out the cylinders yourself. I did it...and if I can, you can as I'm about as techie as a stone. The email address for our cylinder rebuilder is mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net
BUT HERE IS MY QUESTION. I would prefer to just plug off the cylinders in front and operate them by hand with the wrench. Can that be done and have the rest of the system work?
I can only give you a qualified,'Maybe' you can. Some of the 129's do not provide access to the rear latches and I can't tell what model year you have.Look in the trunk next to the lift arms that connect the hinge to the lid. Next to them may be an access plate that you can pull off to get access to the rear latches. Check your owners manual for details! To plugthe lines, you have to open the moulding anyway, remove thefailed cylinders and plug the lines. If you go that far, send the cylindersto be rebuilt as Dennis, the rebuilder, turns them aroundin 1-2 days after he gets them so you won't be without automatictop operation for long making trunk access moot, imo.
Bob
PS. I just joined. You guys are great and have already helped me a bunch. Thank you!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4
Thanks again
Thanks for everyone who had input on this especially Whawki! Very glad this forum is here. This'll be the first time I've made a repair myself on this particular car, but the info here is a lot more detailed and understandable than ALLDATA, which is worth the $30 but very, very hard to navigate.
I notice many posters say they aren't mechanical or only average, but being very mechanical myself actually just means I'm slightly more aware of what can go wrong, so I'm probably more scared than they are.....I knew a guy who worked on his lexus for 5-6 hours in his driveway, got 99% of the way through the repair, and then the last step said "and now, raise the car up to eye height on the hydraulic lift....." LOL
I notice many posters say they aren't mechanical or only average, but being very mechanical myself actually just means I'm slightly more aware of what can go wrong, so I'm probably more scared than they are.....I knew a guy who worked on his lexus for 5-6 hours in his driveway, got 99% of the way through the repair, and then the last step said "and now, raise the car up to eye height on the hydraulic lift....." LOL
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
Hydraulic cylinder leaks
Owner of a 1996 SL320
I recently started see oil leaking from above the windshield on the driver side above the visor. I have also seen oil leaking from the center interior light lense housing. I removed the top cover to see the latch cylinders as well as the manifold located in the center and there was oil everywhere.
I have an idea what it is now that I am on this forum which great to get alot of info. I also have a very serious leak that is coming from the drivers side rear wheelwell area just below where the locking mechaniism is located for the hardtop. I am reall worried about this one as it is in an area that sems difficult to work in. Do you need to bleed the system of air or will it purge it self.
How difficult are they to repair Especially the rear wheel well hydraulic leak. All my fluid has leaked out and nothing is working. I would like to fix this myself as the dealer wanted $3800. Are there any specail tools needed.
any and all help would be appeciated as the season to enjoy this car is here and I dont want to miss it. Thanks Scott
I recently started see oil leaking from above the windshield on the driver side above the visor. I have also seen oil leaking from the center interior light lense housing. I removed the top cover to see the latch cylinders as well as the manifold located in the center and there was oil everywhere.
I have an idea what it is now that I am on this forum which great to get alot of info. I also have a very serious leak that is coming from the drivers side rear wheelwell area just below where the locking mechaniism is located for the hardtop. I am reall worried about this one as it is in an area that sems difficult to work in. Do you need to bleed the system of air or will it purge it self.
How difficult are they to repair Especially the rear wheel well hydraulic leak. All my fluid has leaked out and nothing is working. I would like to fix this myself as the dealer wanted $3800. Are there any specail tools needed.
any and all help would be appeciated as the season to enjoy this car is here and I dont want to miss it. Thanks Scott
Last edited by scott081854; Jun 9, 2012 at 07:12 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
Top Hydraulic cylinder
I need to get mine rebuilt or buy. I couldn't get these to pull up.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
I sent the Cylinders in and all was well. Then a week later the top goes up but the boot doesn't drop on its own and the red light stays on and dings like crazy. I can put it up manually but it still dings and light stays on. Any ideas? Anyone know a person in or around Wichita Kansas that works on old (92 500SL)?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
I found Dennis Ficken and he has rebuilt 4 of my 10 cylinders so far. He is very good and very reasonable. Mercedes Hydraulic Cylinder Repair LLC
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 544-4521
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 544-4521
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
Hydraulic rebuild
I have a 1992 and have had to have 4 of the 10 hydraulic cylinders rebuilt so far. I have had great luck with This rebuilder in Olathe Kansas. He does great work, very fast turn around and very reasonable.
Mercedes Hydraulic Cylinder Repair LLC
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 544-4521
Mercedes Hydraulic Cylinder Repair LLC
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 544-4521