W204 C220 5G Gearbox Issues

Polygon1

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Hi all. First time Mercedes owner and newbie here. I have owned my w204 C220 CDI 5G Auto for a few weeks now and am enjoying it, far more comfortable on the motorway than the BMW I had before. It has however developed an alarming issue with the gearbox.


Most of the time the car shifts fine, smooth and no strange noises. It has no stalling problems. The shift points are a little higher than I thought they would be though sometimes holding second until 3k before downshifting, almost like I'm in Manual mode. More concerning however is that at speeds of 50 and above the car vibrates badly and revs fluctuate. It feels like the gearbox is trying to over come something. When this isn't happening, at lower speeds, every now and again there is a sound made like the car is on a rumble strip. It lasts a few seconds and again it feels like the car is being pulled back.


Having researched 722.6 issues to death over the last couple of days I haven't heard anyone describe exactly the same symptoms. But lots of people point to the conductor plate as a weak spot.


The car has done high miles, the engine pulls well and there are no warning lights on but to be honest I have no evidence the box has been serviced....


The car will be off to an auto box specialist for diagnostics but I would like appreciate any insight anyone may have on the symptoms described.


Thanks in advance

Neil
 

Wighty

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Hi and welcome , if you have been researching 722.6 , then have you found the black capped dipstick tube in the engine bay , I would suggest measuring the oil level in the box first , if it was low and you topped it up and the symptoms improved then you may just be looking at an ATF and filter change ?? . I bourght a dipstick for a few quid from eBay .
Just because your car doesn't display any warnings on the dash doesn't mean that fault codes aren't being stored .
What area are you in so members can recommend a good Indy .
What mileage is the car anyway ?
 
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Polygon1

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Thanks Wighty. I have bought a code reader and am waiting for it to arrive which may shed some light. I'm on holiday for two weeks on Monday so it won't be going into the garage until I'm back. Lots of time to worry!

It has done 191,000 miles :eek:. Having said that the engine, body and interior are in amazing condition.

I live in Carshalton, Surrey and have found a Auto Specialist (not MB) in the village who comes recommended. He has diagnostics but not sure if it's STAR.

I would just like to get back to enjoying it, not being able to do more than 55 is getting weary.
 

Wighty

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Hopefully someone will be able to recommend a nearby Indy for you . I would think with that mileage if you have never had an ATF and filter change then you are 100k miles overdue .
I think other more knowledgeable members are going to say that the star diagnosis is going to be important to correctly understand the issues and will save you money in the long run .
Bit of a drive but MBS in Southampton and STAR services in reading are two respected Indys .
 
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Polygon1

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Thanks,

I did try and contact Mercedes to see if they had any record as it wasn't in the service book but they haven't been that useful.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep the thread posted once I have clearer picture.

Neil
 

Wighty

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Thanks,

I did try and contact Mercedes to see if they had any record as it wasn't in the service book but they haven't been that useful.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep the thread posted once I have clearer picture.

Neil
If the black cap on the gearbox dispstick tube has a black tab on it (not a red one ) then the ATF has never been changed .
 
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Polygon1

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IMG_4838.JPG IMG_4837.JPG Just checked the cap colour..black

Whilst I was there I also noticed what seems to be leakage around one of injectors ...
 

Yugguy

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Ah. Black death...
 
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Polygon1

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Just googled c220 injector leak and read a bit about this "Black Death". How bad/expensive an issue is it?

Also, do you think it could be contributing this rather than the gearbox giving me issues? I.e down on power/misfire
 

Wighty

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Sounds like good knowledgeable Indy time for the full works buddy :)
 
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Polygon1

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IMG_4840.JPG Right, both engine covers off and it appears more than one or more are leaking to the point I could feel the air being forced by my hand. Tell tale steam train noise also apparent. Bracing wallet....
 
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Polygon1

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Anyone who could recommended someone who is good with this issue in the south west/London (I hear a lot of places screw it up) would be much appreciated.

Cheers
 

umblecumbuz

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This 'Black Death' monica is rather silly. There is no death involved, and often the fix is simple and cheap. All this ridiculous name means is that an injector is leaking, but people hear the expression and immediately big bucks worry.

Having said that, your photos may not even be an injector leak. Clean up the mess, and check again later to see if it begins to reappear. It is so easy to spill oil when topping up or changing, and your oil filler cap is right there in the photo. Check for any blow by around the filler cap - ie, does it seal properly.

As for the gearbox service, there is no doubt that the atf and filter needs changing. Get your garage to do it, but make sure they check the level afterwards with the engine running, the car on level ground and the gearbox up to temperature. A false reading will be given if it is not done this way.

You've got a great car there - I have had five with this engine/gearbox configuration, and all have been terrific. I currently have two 204-type vehicles - a coupe and an estate - both with high mileages, and they both run extremely well.
 

Yugguy

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They need a good clean to see what is really happening, but if you are losing compression through them then that's likely the source of the issue. You should still get the box done tho, an indy should be able to do it for 200.
 
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Polygon1

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Thanks all, once I'm back from holiday and have it diagnosed I will report back should anyone else run into the same issues. A few beers and some sunshine I'm sure will push it too the back of my mind for now.
 

Lord_Lucan

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I live in Bedfordshire (admittedly nowhere near you) and had one injector seal replaced in February for £65 plus vat so it shouldn't be open wallet surgery unless the injector snaps on removal which it could well do if it's been gunked in there a while.

The ATF is cheap and easy to DIY if you have drive on ramps or axle stands and a torque wrench.

Plenty of life left in your car so worth spending the small amount to keep it running instead of replacing the car with one where you don't know the issues it may have.
 

mercedes13156

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If you're handy with the spanners, then you can do both the gearbox and the injectors yourself. The gearbox ATF change is really easy if you take your time and can get the drain plug out. That saves a lot of mess. the Injectors are also quite easy if you take your time. The most difficult part is keeping the black stuff out of the injector hole and the bolt hole when you're dismantling it all. It's a pig to clean out again.
 

Wighty

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Thanks all, once I'm back from holiday and have it diagnosed I will report back should anyone else run into the same issues. A few beers and some sunshine I'm sure will push it too the back of my mind for now.
You enjoy yours beers and sunshine , after those pics you posted I'll worry for you :D . I'm now off to clean my engine even though it doesn't need it .
 
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Polygon1

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Thanks. Just dropped it off at DDR Surrey, recommended I understand, to look over whilst I'm away. Will keep you posted.

Typically, drove fine this morning.
 

moj91

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I think that looks like a OM646 EVO (?) Variant in your c220? This was a common issue i am told... however i have experienced the same on my OM651 C250 CDI. Wound up with the car going into limp mode during a spirited drive.. i could then hear a chuffing from the effected injector leak. Plenty of solid black carbon had built up around the injector and the others were showing signs of build up. Had PJ Hodge in Northampton do the work for around £300 - as the worst/chuffing injector could supposedly not be salvaged. Replaced with new o rings and a higher torque setting on the bolts, as per a service bulitin advised by Mercedes. Mine went at about 75k - a little earlier than i would have expected though.
 

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