Hi there,
me again. I have a problem to adrress you and and that is, when i turn my steering wheel i hear some noise, probably the p. steering pump. That made me check the fluid. And there was a fluid really low. my question is what kind or what type of power steering fluid is safe to put into the container. Let's mention that my benz is 300E '86. Does low fluid causes a noise wen turning steering wheel or maybe it is something else. So what type of fluid you recommend for my car???

Just go to the auto supply store and buy a quart of "Power Steering Fluid". Do not use ATF, as modern ATF has additives that are not healthy for the seals in your power steering system.

Good luck,

aantonic:

Yours may actually call for ATF in the power steering system. Check your owners manual.

NO ATF it needs power steering fluid.

__________________
I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

Last time I added ps fluid, I bought the Mercedes stuff (or whoever makes it) just an excuse to check out the new MBs at the dealer.

Service Manual
Chassis and Body
Series 124, Volume 1 (covers 1986 - 1992)

Job No 46-130 (Checking oil pressure of power steering pump)

Oil Types/Filling capacities and oil level checkup
Steering Gear Oil (ATF)

Obviously, you cannot go wrong with the Mercedes PS fluid.

Personally, I have used Mobile 1 synthetic ATF in my 1990 (sold) and 1991 300E now.

Even if the owners manual calls for ATF I wouldn't use it. The manual was printed in 1986. The additives in ATF have changed a lot over that time and have improved for their use which is an automatic transmission. I read about five years ago that the additives had changed in the previous few years in such a way that ATF was no longer good for many power steering systems.

I ruined a pump in my 240D by changing to ATF. The pump started leaking in about 50,000 miles. When I replaced the pump I had read about the use of ATF and used PS fluid from Auto Zone. That new pump has gone about 250,000 miles now and is still perfect, as is the rest of the PS system.

Good luck,

A pro on another MB website once said that the serpentine belt drive systems required the use of the special MB power steering fluid.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

This is a thread from the oldest MB mailing list:

http://db.mercedes.cx/mb/199611/0996.html

loubapache, Yes MB HAD used ATF in power steering systems when DEXTRON was DEXTRON, but DEXTRON is now Dextron2 or 3
& the stuff that is used to allow the fluid to work in combination with MERCON can be damaging to power steering systems. NOW MB only recommends P/S fluid!
Unless of course you have the older fluid W/O MERCON. Or ATF type "A" suffix!
Just don't use DEXTRON with MERCON!!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

M.B.DOC:

I am not disagreeing with you. MB recommendation is always good.

I used Mobile 1 synthetic ATF by following the advice of MBCA's technical director who has over 1,000,000 miles on his MB fleet (even more than Larry). See his post at:
http://db.mercedes.cx/mb/200105/26/0022.html

I have no problem what so ever with my power steering.

I just wanted to point out MB Doc's credentials and experience.


"MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN (6 TIMES)
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. Shopforeman"


MB Doc is not a person who a club (a very political club I might add) decided was the guru because he drove a million miles. MB Doc has spent TWENTY SEVEN YEARS IN THE SHOP seeing what works, what causes things to fail, what makes things last longest, and how to best fix them. On top of that he has decided to give up much of his time to pass along this massive amount of experience and information to us for FREE.

If you don't want to use Auto Zone Power Steering Fluid, get the stuff at the MB Parts Counter. Why take the chance on ANY ATF in your power steering system? I would expect that Mobil Synthetic ATF is the best or one of the best ATF's you can get. But, it was designed for automatic transmissions, not power steering systems. Even a cheap old 123 power steering pump is a couple of hundred dollars or more to replace.

I'm often interpreted as confrontational or contankorous(sp?), I'm not trying to cause trouble or debate here, I'm just trying to point out logic and the value of the experience and advice that MB Doc and the other pro techs give us here.

Have a great day,

It's been a while since you've priced rebuilt Vickers pumps Larry. When mine went out I priced the pump at $650.00 from the dealer, that for a rebuilt too. Likely a much better price from this site.

The PO had been running ATF, I am running power steering fluid ONLY.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Mike,

You're right, I priced a pump several years back for the 240D after I ruined it with ATF, it was making a mess of the engine compartment.

I ultimately got a used one from a local salvage yard. The engine compartment has remained spotless since.

Have a great day,

Good salvage yards are great. After hearing $650 for a rebuilt, I located one at the salvage yard for $50.00. All I had to do was change out the mounting bracket and pulley, plus install my reservior. Been almost two years now and the pump is bone dry externally.

Vickers pumps are tough units. I would have no qualms about buying anothern from the dismantler.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.