That automatic feeling....

[stringbag]

I will start by apologising, but I am looking for some help.

We went off last May on our narrowboat for a months cruising. On our return we loaded up the car, parked on grass field, drove home, and then thought we'd go off and get some fish and chips ...

Up till this moment our B200 had behaved impeccably. Now, error messages appeared and car went into drive home mode. We ended up taking it to our local garage. They removed the top section of the gearbox, sent it away, put repaired section back on...£800, and all seemed ok.

But it's not ok. When we first got it back, everything seemed fine but we noticed this very slight whine that would appear whenever we went round a right hand curve, or up a hill. It really wasn't particularly intrusive, and it only happened when the car is cold. We took the car back, to the garage, but in all honesty they lack the ability to give us confidence..

Now bearing in mind this has been going on since May. The car starts up cold. We drive off accompanied by this whine, that we assume is transmission noise. If you try to start off in a rush the car gives no error message apart from flashing up that there is a transmission problem, and to take the car to a workshop. BUT, if we drive slowly, and allow the car to warm up, then the noise gradually fades and the car drives perfectly

As you will appreciate, it probably isn't cost effective to spend a lot of money to sort this out. Especially as we like to go out on long summer cruises, and really don't want to return to another sulking performance. I've grown accustomed to the neighbourly glances as I drive away in the morning. The car transmission does seem to be forgiving of my standard of driving. I would just like to help it along a bit...

Anyone got any ideas?

Am much obliged if you read this far. Let me just wish you a very Happy Christmas!

 

[alexanderfoti]

Quite possibly the transmission oil level is wrong? When its warm it expands and all is well.

Alternatively, the electro plate they sent off to be repaired could possibly have failed again but you really need another mechanic to check the basics.

 

[jp williams]

Quite possibly the transmission oil level is wrong? When its warm it expands and all is well.

Alternatively, the electro plate they sent off to be repaired could possibly have failed again but you really need another mechanic to check the basics.

I think that the B has a DSG type gearbox rather than a Torque CONVERTER Box. Dual clutch (DSG type) has not been a success for Mercedes and I think that you should push the Dealer for a significant contribution from Mercedes towards repairs or replacement assuming you have a full MB service history.

 

[ernieh]

I think that the B has a DSG type gearbox rather than a Torque CONVERTER Box. Dual clutch (DSG type) has not been a success for Mercedes and I think that you should push the Dealer for a significant contribution from Mercedes towards repairs or replacement assuming you have a full MB service history.

Does the B Class of that year, 2006, not have a CVT 'box similar to the A Class? I know that the later ones have a DSG, but not sure about these

ERnie

 

[alexanderfoti]

Yes that will have the CVT auto.

 

[ZZZZ]

Des (aka Forrera) just published a brief note on this exact problem - CVT whining.

Have a look here: CVT noise

Also, again on his advice, I never put the car (I have the exact same transmission and engine as you) into gear, until the revs drop below 1000rpm.

 

[forrera]

If you just had the control unit repaired, then the garage must have drained and refilled the ATF.
If the transmission is making whining noise when turning I wouldn't blame a bearing at this stage.
Would you describe the noise as gurgling rather than whining? This noise is usually the oil pump running partially dry.
Check the fluid level or add 1/2 litre CVT fluid and see if the noise is less or gone.
Ask the garage how much fluid they put. Usually for this job it's 5.5 litres.
Cvt fluid spec MB 236.20

 

[umblecumbuz]

... and at the same time, confirm that the correct spec fluid was actually used.
As you mention your lack of faith in this garage, you already have cause for concern.

 

[rorywquin]

Not a CV joint? What mileage?

 

[stringbag]

Hi everyone .... I love this forum already! Am impressed and very pleased to read all your suggestions

Technical details are beyond me. We bought this car about three years ago. It is perfect for our needs. It's done about 97,000 miles.

Craig from the garage, was quite offended when I suggested that maybe the oil level needed checking. It was an unexpected response to what I thought was a perfectly acceptable suggestion. He also queried that the noise is transmission. We left the car with garage overnight. They started it up to do some diagnostic testing, and afterwards took it for a test drive. But, at that time, it only took a short time for the transmission to warm up, and hence no noise. Later on, I persuaded him to meet me at my house and off we went, and the car was quite noisy.... Craig, rubs his chin, and now avoids me...

I'm almost certain it's a whining noise. I'll see if I can record a sound file and upload it.... It would be good if I can do this.

We bought a little Renault Modus just a short while ago (2007, £1,200), cheap as chips, and wife loves it! I bought it because I thought we might need to chuck in the towel on our Merc., but I must admit, I do like running round in her. The point is, the car dealer, drove the Merc round the locality for a few miles both gently, and hard, and bless the ****** thing, not a murmur, not a hint of noise... He said there was nothing wrong with the transmission and wondered if maybe a pulley was noisy at start up.....hmmm.

But then in the cold, doing a rushed early start up and three point turn, the car had a tantrum, and went into sulk mode. I drove it half a mile to the local park. Took the two dogs for their half hour walk. Went we started the car, everything back to normal... Noise there, gradually going... Sigh!

So this is the dilemma. Do I drag myself off to a local Merc. garage and invest loads of money in an attempt to rid myself of a noise, or do I just put up with it? And what happens next time we go off for a month or two? What I really don't get is why leaving the car idle should cause the blasted gearbox to suddenly become defective! It doesn't make sense. And I really do not want a repeat..... Perhaps I should name my car "Catch Twentytwo!"

 

[forrera]

we need to look at simple faults first.
If you say you didn't have the noise before the repair it's only common sense to relate the noise to the repair.
So, this is how you should proceed if fluid level is ok.
Remove the drive belt and start the engine briefly, if the noise gone then one of the pulleys is noisy.
If the noise is still there then you need to look at wheel bearings, drive shafts and then the transmission.

 

[ZZZZ]

I don't know which garage you're using (I'm in Northampton too), but rather than try and pass on suggestions to them (particularly as they don't seem to be too receptive), you'd be much better off booking your car with Forrera - that way you can be sure, the problem will be diagnosed correctly and rectified.

The W168 / W169 / W245 are a peculiar bunch, and I don't know anyone else, who specialises in these models, or knows about them as much as Forrera does. I've been to his place a few times, and yes, it's 68 miles away, but if it wasn't for him, my old 168 would've been scrapped, despite looking [almost] like new. It was a transmission problem too (TCU).

 

[stringbag]

I don't know which garage you're using (I'm in Northampton too), but rather than try and pass on suggestions to them (particularly as they don't seem to be too receptive), you'd be much better off booking your car with Forrera - that way you can be sure, the problem will be diagnosed correctly and rectified.

The W168 / W169 / W245 are a peculiar bunch, and I don't know anyone else, who specialises in these models, or knows about them as much as Forrera does. I've been to his place a few times, and yes, it's 68 miles away, but if it wasn't for him, my old 168 would've been scrapped, despite looking [almost] like new. It was a transmission problem too (TCU).

That sounds good. Perhaps Forre

I don't know which garage you're using (I'm in Northampton too), but rather than try and pass on suggestions to them (particularly as they don't seem to be too receptive), you'd be much better off booking your car with Forrera - that way you can be sure, the problem will be diagnosed correctly and rectified.

The W168 / W169 / W245 are a peculiar bunch, and I don't know anyone else, who specialises in these models, or knows about them as much as Forrera does. I've been to his place a few times, and yes, it's 68 miles away, but if it wasn't for him, my old 168 would've been scrapped, despite looking [almost] like new. It was a transmission problem too (TCU).

Sounds good. I'm between Daventry and Rugby. It would be interesting to find out where Forrera is based. If not too far then I would value some expert hands on

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hello stringbag.

Your car has a Nissan CVT unit.

These units are very well known for transmission whine. It's "a feature not a bug" as they say, part of the inherent design of the transmission and sadly not much you can do about it.

 

[ZZZZ]

Sounds good. I'm between Daventry and Rugby. It would be interesting to find out where Forrera is based. If not too far then I would value some expert hands on

Have a look here - his page has the garage address, it's in London, but like I said - undoubtedly well worth the trip.

 

[stringbag]

Have a look here - his page has the garage address, it's in London, but like I said - undoubtedly well worth the trip.

Thanks again. I will get in touch but first I'm going to check the fluid level before I do anything else.... We'll, apart from Christmas. Sigh! I suppose I'll have to wait.....