C200 Kompressor Acceleration problem.HELP!!!

[ZooLander]

Hi there,

Newbie here, Just bought a C200K Evolution Panorama 2002 Automatic model

Just driving it around in the evening after a couple hours driving during the day( not much) . The car stoppped accelerating, it revs but the car won't increase speed. I pulled over and stop/start the car again and it won't change gear at all and it would stop accelerating again. I tried it a few times but the same kept happening. I even tried changing gears on the semi automatic but that wouldnt come up on the dashboard and even tried changing it from Standard mode to Winter mode but wouldnt change.

I bought the car last week and driving for the first time pretty much.

A few people have suggested Gearbox oil change?? Selector problem??

Has anyone got any ideas of what the problem could be???

Thanks

 

[Xtractorfan]

The initial thinking would be that the MAF is playing up and needs cleaning or replacing.. but always best to have the codes read on a star machine..saves a load of hassle..
Still under warranty as you have only bought it perhaps.. can you take it back to the garge under warranty?? and if it is the MAF do not be tempted to fit the cheaper ebay units..

 

[ZooLander]

Hi thanks for the quick reply ...

I bought it privately from a close friend, so there wouldn't be any warranty involved.

Because it happened tonight just after my mechanic shut his garage I won't be able to show anyone until monday morning.

How much would it cost for a "proper" part as you have said not to get a cheap ebay version??

And also what is the worse that could have occurred??

Thanks a lot, awaiting your reply

 

[Xtractorfan]

You could try cleaning the MAF.. have a search on here for MAF cleaning ..
You could try disconnecting the MAF and then try driving the car.. And it can be bought from the local BOSCH agent

 

[ZooLander]

I will try cleaning thanks a lot for you help Xtractorfan much appreciated

 

[Ultymate]

I don't think it will be the MAF which would usually cause misfiring or massive flat spot not lack of drive from your transmission

 

[ZooLander]

What else do you think it could be? Any suggestions?

 

[Ultymate]

I don't like to say it but it sounds more like a transmission fault, first thing is to make sure the oil level is ok, possibly followed by an oil and filter change and then if that fails you're into some serious diagnosis with "star" etc

 

[ZooLander]

Thanks a lot for both replies ill try both of those suggestions.hopefully it is isn't serious.

If anyone has any other suggestions to try it would be appreciated.thanks

 

[moosehead]

I replaced the original MAF on the SLK last year. Problem was loss of power almost as if kompressor wasn't working and eratic gearchanges. Other than that the engine was running very sweet and starting fine. I tried cleaning the MAF with isopropyl cleaner and also disconnecting the unit. In the end it was a replacment Bosch unit that solved everything.

 

[ZooLander]

Just took a look at the C200 tonight to see if there was any difference from last night.

Basically, the same happened. I was drove it for 100 yards the gears wouldnt change at all. Left the car running my mate suggested taking a look at the fuses. There was two fuses missing out of three for the gearbox and I replaced them. But now the car wouldnt even get into gear. On the dashboard, it shows it going into gear ( P, R, N, D) but the car itself wont go into gear even though it revs.

Does this tick any boxes to finding out what the problem is??

 

[ZooLander]

Spoke to the mechanic this morning.
He said that its probably the conductor plate and that if that doesn't work it'll mean a new gearbox.
Could it be anything else?

How much is the going rate For a conductor plate? They quoted me £800 for it . Would it cost that much?

 

[CITYBOY]

I hope you get good news,but you said you bought it off a close freind,I assume it was a private sale. I would ask your freind about its history,surely it has not just started going wrong the moment you bought it,if it does have a problem history ,either get him to take it back, or get him to fix it,
Good luck, John

 

[ZooLander]

Thanks for your advice e11jjr!!

My mechanic has just done a bit more research into. He said that it was far worse than he imagined. he said that the radiator was leaking into the gearbox? I didnt think this was entirely possible :S

Im very confused because my friend is saying he didnt have a problem history at all and that it was driving fine. I dont understand, these problems just do not occur with 10 miles of driving the car!!!!!

 

[CITYBOY]

I'm sorry to hear that,ask your mechanic how long he feels that the water problem has been going on,and also if you are a close freind of the guy who sold you the car,somewhere along the line he may have discussed with you in the past,just such problems. Also of course,asking his other freinds about this may bring out a few clues,either way he should at least be helping you,
John

 

[ZooLander]

Ye ive spoken to them but negative response. nothing like this has ever happened before apparently.

I dont even want to think about the gearbox. From what i have said, do you think it probably is the gearbox or could it still be with something to do with the MAF or conductor plate or valve/body control unit issue or even to check the plug that goes into the trans for oil. ( these are all things I have got from different forums from similar situations)

Thanks John

 

[CITYBOY]

I am no expert,but I do believe that Merc did have a problem with a certain radiator doing what you said,and they responded to it. I am certain that some of the experts on this forum could enlighten you regarding this radiator problem and its solution,
Good luck John

 

[ZooLander]

Thanks a lot John, much appreciated, are there any experts I can talk to one on one, maybe on the phone or via email so I can get a quick response?

 

[ched999uk]

I am no expert but I have been reading the forums for a number of months:
Your car I believe has a radiator with a built in Transmission cooler. There have been a fair few failures where the engine coolant leaks into the transmission cooler part of the rad. This pollutes the Auto Transmission Fluid with Glycol (antifreeze). This can cause lots of damage as glycol isn't very good at high pressure lubrication in the gearbox.
If you have a search here you will find various people having glycol problems. They seem to start by sort of surging in the gearbox and not great gear changes. Some people have got away with a ATF fluid change on the gearbox, torque converter and new rad but unfortunately more people have required gearbox reconditioning, recon Torque converters and a new radiator.
Have a search here for glycol. I hope you can get away with a fluid change and new rad but I would say with your symptoms so severe you are in for a big bill. I would be very surprised if your mate didn't have any of the early symptoms. But then again if it's a close mate that I would be surprised if he stitched you up.

Hope you can get it sorted cheaply. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Alex Crow]

certainly sounds like a second opinion might help.

two questions...

1. what fault codes are being stored?

2. how has the gearbox oil been tested for glycol contamination?