E320 CDI judders when accelerating

c1immy

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Hi All,

I'm new to this post and need some help with my Car, it’s a Merc E320 CDI 2003. Hope someone can help me out.

The issue with my car is, it judders when you accelerate. The car wants to accelerate but something is holding it back.
I popped round to the local Mercedes garage who said they need to do a Glyco test at £189 + VAT. From here they might know what the problem is or do some more tests at additional cost.
Reading form other forums there seems to be a fault where coolant can get into the Gearbox or transmission oil.
They said if this is the case I'll need a new Gearbox or transmission. Which i'm sure will cost alot.
I have a few of questions about this.
Can anyone else do the Glyco test and how much does it normally cost?

If this is the case, will this not be a design fault in the car and should come under warranty. I tried to argue this case and the only reply i get back from Mercedes is "My car is over 5 years old and not covered now". They refused to accept it's a design fault.

Also if this is the case, won't changing the oil stop the juddering for a while until the problem is found and fixed?
Also, what will need changing and how much will it cost. Is there anyone near Preston area who can do the work?
Is there anything i can do to prevent this?

thanks in advanced
immy
 

st4

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MB dealers can do the job. Its a common fault. Google MB specialists near preston and take your pick.

Sounds like the dreaded valeo problem and it can be thousands to fix at a dealer. Its not a cheap fault. If the car has a full MB dealer history you may be able to push for a goodwill payment, although the car is coming on for its 8th yr you may find you'll have to foot all the bill yourself.
 

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Hello and welcome, yes the humming or and droning when pulling lightly in top at between 2500 to 2400rpm it is a glycol leak.

Most MB dealers charge £70 for the test as do some gearbox specialist, the normal cure is a new rad and re con toque converter, the gearbox is seldom affected. Another way is to fit a separate cooler so that it cannot happen again, you can do this and leave the old rad in place
 

dieselman

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If you can collect a sample of ATF from the gearbox yourself you could send the sample off for a test for about £25.
It does sound like the Glycol issue, so needs sorting soon, before it wrecks the whole gearbox. At present a flush, new radiator and new torque converter may suffice.
 

Alex Crow

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note that a new/recon torque convertor is not always necessary, sometimes a new rad and fluid is enough.
 

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note that a new/recon torque convertor is not always necessary, sometimes a new rad and fluid is enough.

I know that one can re adapt the converter, but few cases where all is good
 

Alex Crow

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don't bet on it malcolm, at least 50% are OK with a fluid flush. thing is, moost people do the TC at the same time regardless.
 

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don't bet on it malcolm, at least 50% are OK with a fluid flush. thing is, moost people do the TC at the same time regardless.

I suppose that is the best way then and do the rad or convert to separate cooler, I see that the latest WIS has this amendment in it to the the re adapt, thank you :D
 

Xtractorfan

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As Alex has said a flush and new oil is the recommended 'Taxi' solution and of course a new rad.. most seem to get away with it...And first fill is always with a cheaper Auto Transmission fluid...
would also suggest getting a star diagnostic done to rule out MAF and other engine problems first..
 

david arthur

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MB dealers can do the job. Its a common fault. Google MB specialists near preston and take your pick.

Sounds like the dreaded valeo problem and it can be thousands to fix at a dealer. Its not a cheap fault. If the car has a full MB dealer history you may be able to push for a goodwill payment, although the car is coming on for its 8th yr you may find you'll have to foot all the bill yourself.

Hi

Forget the dealers Mercedes will not give you a penny,my car is 8 years old,and requires some work,and its costing me £3,000, in America where they have there lemon laws, it would be replaced free of charge.

When i was contacted by Mercedes customer care, i told them as such,
that they know we are going to have this problem,but they waite till it does serious harm so they can reep the benifit,i would not touch another Mercedes with a barge pole.
 

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Hello and welcome, yes the humming or and droning when pulling lightly in top at between 2500 to 2400rpm it is a glycol leak.

Most MB dealers charge £70 for the test as do some gearbox specialist, the normal cure is a new rad and re con toque converter, the gearbox is seldom affected. Another way is to fit a separate cooler so that it cannot happen again, you can do this and leave the old rad in place

Doubt you could leave the old rad in place, Malc. It must be leaking internally to have glycol getting into the tranny fluid. There would be a constant loss of fluid under pressure unless the leak was fixed.
 

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Doubt you could leave the old rad in place, Malc. It must be leaking internally to have glycol getting into the tranny fluid. There would be a constant loss of fluid under pressure unless the leak was fixed.

I meant with a separate fluid cooler for the box after the fluid change
 
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c1immy

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Thanks for your replies. I'm thinking i'll first get a transmission flush, it won't cost much from a local garage i know very well. See if this will stop the juddering temporarily. I'll get the Rad replaced later if the issue comes back and at the same time flush the fluid again.
 

television

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Thanks for your replies. I'm thinking i'll first get a transmission flush, it won't cost much from a local garage i know very well. See if this will stop the juddering temporarily. I'll get the Rad replaced later if the issue comes back and at the same time flush the fluid again.

If you have glycol in the box then it will come back, I would not leave it like it too long as the glycol raises the faces of the clutches in the torque converter
 
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c1immy

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Fixed

Hi,

Update on an old post, I was recommended to have my Torque convertor replaced as this may have been worn down. So i got it done and have to say the car runs smoothly now. It's been 6 months now and never had the juddering problem again.
 
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c1immy

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One more.....

Also, i didn't have water in my trans fluid. MB did a test and was given the all clear.
 

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Change any valeo rad, or fit a separate oil cooler
 

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Does anyone know how to prevent this problem on antifreeze going in to the transmission

Never 100% safe if water cooled system, air cooler cannot mix water! Picture
 

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