W163 ML270 2002 722.6 won't engage any gears!

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Hard to tell from the photos, but i have certainly seen worse...

But if the TC has lost a plate it will brake up like very tiny pieces of fish food. Without seeing it for myself in the flesh, i can't give you a solid comment. Needless to say, going back to your fault codes, I still think its a TC failure.

 

[Blueyes1971]

So you're suggesting I drop the trans and check the TC to trans connection

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

No, it will be connected alright, it can't move once located, but it doesnt stop the lock up clutch or one of the other friction plates inside the TC failing. JPAT can open them up and overhaul them if required.

 

[Arudge]

Not much going on in there other what you would expect to find. The friction material from the clutches obviously has to end up somewhere. I can see what appears to be some silvering in the oil, this could be normal wear off the sprag bearings. Sprag bearings do give their races a pummeling, if you do pull the transmission and pull it apart i would change them regardless.

Something else to consider is that these transmissions, at 80kg, are not light. I had the benefit of a twin post lift and a 24 stone animal of a man known as fat Harry, who basically just took the transmission off the prop and carried it away!!

 

[Blueyes1971]

No I meant to the pump ..as I can't see and damage so far thought you meant dropping it to see any issue with the TC connection to the pump or perhaps input shaft damage.
Replacing the TC or having it opened and inspected is more last resort at the moment...I'm going to drop the valve body and plate for inspection.
Im starting to think it may be the TC too....still not completely given up on it being electronic issue though.
I'll update my findings of what lurks inside the filter tomorrow
Cheers Steve

 

[Blueyes1971]

Arudge, I'm using axle stands and a jacks, brute force and ingenuity...lol
No doubt it will be a real sod in the conditions I have to do it...but it simply is what it is.
If it turns out to be a rebuild I'll buy a good secondhand trans for now and rebuild at my leisure I think.
That said ...I may not...
Trans or TC is not gonna be easy either way.

 

[Arudge]

Arudge, I'm using axle stands and a jacks, brute force and ingenuity...lol
No doubt it will be a real sod in the conditions I have to do it...but it simply is what it is.
If it turns out to be a rebuild I'll buy a good secondhand trans for now and rebuild at my leisure I think.
That said ...I may not...
Trans or TC is not gonna be easy either way.

It's perfectly doable don't get me wrong, where there's a will there's a way. I've just been trying to search for a way to test your torque converter without much luck. It's a sealed unit and not something you can mess with. It has it's own clutch arrangement but it's all welded up inside. JPAT charged me £300 exchange for mine, they may be worth a call to see if they offer a test service.

JPAT 01934 852772

If your considering a second hand TC make sure the numbers match. MB used Lord knows how many different designs and you need to match yours.

Where roughly in the Midlands are you?

 

[Blueyes1971]

I'm in Hinckley Leicestershire

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I know Hinckley very well, the wife is from there.

JPAT may even have a TC on the shelf and for a reduced rate you send them yours and they send you one already refurbed. About £200 IIRC.

 

[Blueyes1971]

Thanks guys...I guess I need to determine for sure within reason the fault before I buy a TC.
What steps would you advise I know take to determine the issue...anything else I can check or test?

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

If you had STAR I would say turn off the TC lock up clutch and see if it starts.

If not i would say nailed on TC. Especially the slip codes. They only come up when the input and output speeds don't match and the gearbox slips or has a flared shift.

 

[Blueyes1971]

I'm fairly sure the w163 ml270 doesn't allow to turn the LUC off
It's not an option on star for the w163 from my recollection.
Yeh it makes sense...just now considering rebuilding the trans while I pull it out to replace TC...any ideas on a complete rebuild kit and by that I mean the consumables
ie ...plates, sprag bearings and seals. And the most affordable place to get them?

 

[Blueyes1971]

Wish I had of reconditioned the trans a few months ago when I replaced the engine.
I've been onto JPAT, roughly £250 recon exchange for my TC ...which isn't horrendous.
While I was onto them I enquired about sprag bearings, plates , o rings, seals , filter etc to recon the trans.
With the TC comes to roughly £550 ....hmmmmm

 

[Blueyes1971]

Just a thought....the engine I put in was from a 2005.... But I used the original TC .
I'm guessing there's no difference from my facelift year to 2005... Just thought I'd put that out there?

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Should be ok compatibility wise.

 

[Blueyes1971]

Cheers Steve

 

[Blueyes1971]

Ok so I've got a 2005 low mileage TC on its way for £50 inc postage so couldn't really pass it up in order to test it is in fact the issue... hopefully this will give me a little time to ready my time to recon the trans and TC in my own time... TC will arrive latest Monday so will remove the trans ready for its arrival and keep you guys up to date with any findings , photos etc... fingers crossed all goes smoothly ... any advice , procedure, or order in removing trans ..things to watch out for... would be great.
Thanks guys

 

[Blueyes1971]

TC arrived this morning so in the process of removing trans... update of trans pan findings... tiny metal flake ...any thoughts?
And any advice on removing trans as I go?

 

[Blueyes1971]

Removed the starter motor...the first cat for access, removed the front driveshaft, disconnected the rear prop to transfer case...removed most of bell housing to engine block fixings...removed the trans mount brace
Lowered and ready to remove the transfer box to make it easier to remove trans.
Just not sure where to separate the transfer box from as there is two places I could.
Perhaps it will be best to remove as much as possible making the trans as light as possible to move around.
So left with transfer removal, loom to trans disconnect ..what fixings are left at bell housing to block and then should be good to remove.
Any advise on removing and fitting new TC to make it as easy as possible baring in mnd I'm doing this all on axle stands?
Thanks

 

[Blueyes1971]

Got in from work...removed the trans loom and socket for clean and inspection...removed 11 transfer box bolts I believe and slid off the box....one bolt now holding the trans to engine block....just trying to remove the selector lever from trans and can't get a clear idea of how the clip is removed....any advice?
Cheers