1997 C230K Auto box leak 39,000 miles

[Bruce Mansell]

I have an auto gearbox leak ( 5 speed electronic ) which I asked the dealer to fix and at the same time change the gearbox fluid and filter. They said that the pilot bushing on the electrohydraulic control unit seal needed replacing which they said they changed to fix the problem. ( Cost £153.70 + VAT ). They also reported that the sump gasket was leaking and provided an estimate for £310.86. When the car was returned after fixing the gearbox I checked for leaks and found the same problem as before. I contacted the dealer who assured me that the oil was from the sump. I therefore had the sump gasket replaced. When the car was returned it still had the oil leak which the dealer said was impossible. I returned the car back for inspection when they said that the sump was still leaking. They cleaned the oil off and retorqued the sump bolts. I took the car on a test run and returmed after 12 miles so that they could inspect it again. An hour and a half later thay said that they would have to refund the £310.86 as it was a wrong diagnosise as it was a gearbox leak and not a sump leak. The fluid appears to come out of the right side of the bellhousing if the car is viewed from the front. The dealer has no idea of what the cause of the problem is. Am I justified in asking for my £153.70 back as they have failed to do the job or should I demand that they do the job properly at their expense as they had assured me that they had fixed the leak from the gearbox.
Has anybody idea what the problem is? ( All external unions on the box are oil free )

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I think you've done pretty well getting the £310.86 back, it wouldn't hurt to ask for the £153.70 + VAT either but you should bear in mind that leaks can be difficult to find and unless they told you they would 'solve the leak for £153.70 + VAT', you're unlikely to get a refund. Most garages would say "well we think its this, we'll change it and see if you agree with that diagnosis - its up to you."

From what you're describing, it sounds as though its leaking from the torque convertor?

Do you have a digital camera, can you get underneath and take pictures? You can upload them onto the forum, just click 'go advanced' and then 'manage attachments'.

 

[mioba]

i am also amazed you got the money back, you read stories about people paying for nothing, i often think this is ludicrous, i would have demanded exactly the same as you and a refund - well done.
Also demand the 150 odd back, they have charged you for something they havent corrected, simple as that.

on the technical side of your query, no idea. get the rest of your money back and try another garage.

 

[television]

Always a hard one, this is where much care is needed in the diagnosis.

I would have thought that if the box had been washed down it could go on the ramp with one rear wheel lifted or removed and run in gear, Maybe safety standards do not allow this practice though.

The repair business can be hard at times,you have done 30 of them with no problem, and number 31 comes along and you cant solve it.

Malcolm

 

[Bruce Mansell]

I was told by the dealer that they had fixed the leak

I was told by the dealer that they had fixed the leak. I have tried to take pictures under the car but it is impossible.
The leak is on the bell housing at the front of the torque converter. If you are looking at the rear of the engine the oil sprays out at 10 o'clock where the bell housing attaches to the engine and the fluid collects on the outside at the bottom of the bell housing.
What leaks in a torque converter and what is the remedy?

 

[television]

I was told by the dealer that they had fixed the leak. I have tried to take pictures under the car but it is impossible.
The leak is on the bell housing at the front of the torque converter. If you are looking at the rear of the engine the oil sprays out at 10 o'clock where the bell housing attaches to the engine and the fluid collects on the outside at the bottom of the bell housing.
What leaks in a torque converter and what is the remedy?

Are you sure that that it is gearbox fluid that is leaking, and not engine oil.

Malcolm

 

[Ultymate]

If it's red ATF leaking then it's the front transmission to torque converter seal if it's engine oil then it's the rear crankshaft seal, money either way.

 

[television]

If it's red ATF leaking then it's the front transmission to torque converter seal if it's engine oil then it's the rear crankshaft seal, money either way.

What are the odds for a bit of both

malcolm

 

[Ultymate]

Now that would be costly. That said I think If I was going totake out the transmissiom to do the the torque converter seal I would if there were any doubt do the Crank seal at the same time or vice versa rather than double the labour bill at a later date if that makes sense.

 

[Bruce Mansell]

to Malolm

Malcolm
It is definately ATF Fluid

 

[television]

Malcolm
It is definately ATF Fluid

OK, see if i can find something on Thurs.

malcolm

 

[Ultymate]

Heres a schematic the part(s) you most likely have leaking are 10 or 15 in the diagram

Heres a link to the same pic slightly larger http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...M=717.460&CT=GA&cat=23V&SID=27&SGR=020&SGN=02

 

[television]

Heres a schematic the part(s) you most likely have leaking are 10 or 15 in the diagram

Thats a handy picture, and of coarse the only place where it can come from you are the Ultymate in solving this one.

So it is gearbox out and back 6 hours maybe. Where are you based Bruce.

malcolm