E270 gearbox

[hgrussell]

My 2003 E 270 has a broken gearbox.

I phoned two independents and they both had experience of the same problem with several 270s.

What is going on?

I spent £1200 two years ago on a new torque converter, is this the sae problem.

I a now faced with a bill for £4000 for a new gearbox on a car with 84000m/

 

[toby1]

I'm sure if you can elaborate on the fault others will be able to comment.

And welcome to the forum

 

[jberks]

Sorry to hear you're having problems, but as above, what is the problem?
I assume you had experienced a glycol leak due to the valeo radiator issue - hence the new torque converter?
But whilst it can cause fatal damage to the gearbox it doesn't normally.
The 5 speed auto in our 270's are extremely well proven over many years (it was used extensively it the previous C and E) and normally good for hundreds of thousands of miles if maintained properly. Obviously there are unfortunate exceptions but there are far more with stellar miles on them than there are duff ones. 84k is nothing for them so what's damaged it? Glycol?.
Also, £4,000? I'm not up to date with auto box repair costs but this sounds an awful lot.

So, whats broken?

 

[hgrussell]

not sure whats wrong.
the car started slipping in gear and changing up too quickly.
they flushed the gearbox and changed the oil.
2 weeks later it was worse and engine fault light came on.

My garage said the computer said either rpm ?sensor ?controller or valve body were the problem. they tried both and no success.

They are finding it hard to get a used GB in N Ireland and I am not sure if an old box will last?

 

[jberks]

not sure whats wrong.
the car started slipping in gear and changing up too quickly.
they flushed the gearbox and changed the oil.
2 weeks later it was worse and engine fault light came on.

My garage said the computer said either rpm ?sensor ?controller or valve body were the problem. they tried both and no success.

They are finding it hard to get a used GB in N Ireland and I am not sure if an old box will last?

Guys - surely there's a breaker we can suggest? - after all, it's a 5 speed E270cdi box - one of the most common fitted to an E, albeit a 270 ratio may be harder to come by than a 220 and as they generally don't fail there should be a few out there?.
I'd not be concerned about getting an old box. As I say, they normally last 250k+. I suspect yours was killed by the glycol leak so assuming they've swapped the radiator that problem won't re-occur.
I'd also look into the cost of having yours stripped, properly diagnosed and potentially reconned - may be the best option and surely won't be that much - especially since the torque converter's already been sorted?

 

[mandrake]

there has to be a cheaper remedy out there 4000 quid .may as well scrap the car and spend the 4k on another car , or locate a second hand box and fit that . in the sixties auto boxes were good for over a hundred thousand miles .i do think anybody that has one of these iffy radiators ,then the best bet is fit a seperate oil cooler for the gear box oil its not that hard and more than likely cheaper than a new rad for the car .

 

[MERC210]

Re Box

if you live near harlow in essex try essex autos talkto paul and get it re con ,had my slk done no proble since 01279415400

 

[Richard Elliot]

blimey I hope mine lasts more than 250000 miles (188000 so far) It will however roll backwards on a slope and is gradually, gradually changing up earlier

 

[jberks]

blimey I hope mine lasts more than 250000 miles (188000 so far) It will however roll backwards on a slope and is gradually, gradually changing up earlier

They all roll back on a slope - they do from new.
If it's a problem, pop it in C - engages the sprag clutch and doesn't roll.

 

[hgrussell]

Thanks for the advice. Does anyone know of a source of a recon box from a reliable source who would give some warranty?
No one in N Ireland does this.