Another E240 Explosion!!!

[damo2000]

(1998 E240 AVG 113,00miles) I had driven over 100 miles this morn, car was running perfect. Stopped at local shops for about 30 mins but when i then started the car I heard a loud sort of crunching/grumbling noise from underneath centre of car. This continued as i drove along (slowly!!) but goes when i put the car into neutral?? when i got home the noise was even happening while in park and now seems to be coming from the engine area too!!!!! It sounds expensive, but im baffled. HELP!!!

 

[kit820]

Sounds like a gearbox to me. Cheaper than an engine and if indeed it's a fault with the gearbox, I remember there was an earlier thread about w210 gearbox repair/costs. Run a search.

 

[damo2000]

Yea, i think it is the gearbox, its now making the grumbling noise in everything other than reverse!! I am completely gutted, this was the last thing i thought would go, given the stories Ive heard about mercs with mega mileages with no faults, guess im just unlucky. From reading the other posts it looks like I'll be forking out £1500 - £2000

 

[Copiertech]

if you dont drive it too much while it is faulty you can save massive bills later. if it is just a failed bearing if you replace it before it spreads its metallic debris everywhere itll cost a lot less to fix.

 

[tom7035]

I opted for a 'recycled' box for my W124 from Mercland Southampton at £200 + £40 carriage (inc. VAT) up to Scotland. Ordered one morning, arrived following afternoon, completely cleaned, wrapped and palleted, and with torque converter. Labour for fitting + ATF should cost around £300 (all inc.) at an indie garage. Plenty of gearboxes around as they don't normally give trouble. We're just unlucky I suppose!
It would cost the same in labour to remove and refit a repaired box and no specialist would be prepared just to replace a bearing (for instance) and guarantee the work. It would result in a near total rebuild - very expensive.

 

[damo2000]

Thanks for your help all, i'll be getting the car to my regular indy this week, i'll let you know how i get on. One last question though, if the gearbox was knackered should it only make a racket when in "D"?? At the mo, the only time it shuts up is in Reverse??

 

[paulcallender]

Ive heard about mercs with mega mileages with no faults, guess im just unlucky.

Myth - used to be true, but now only applicable up to W124/W201 models.

 

[tom7035]

Thanks for your help all, i'll be getting the car to my regular indy this week, i'll let you know how i get on. One last question though, if the gearbox was knackered should it only make a racket when in "D"?? At the mo, the only time it shuts up is in Reverse??

This will happen. All the knackered 'bits' making the noises don't come into play in reverse, only in Drive.

 

[mjtray]

Could this be a symptom of Mercedes now using sealed for life autoboxes, whereas you used to change the tranny oil every 36,000 miles on say a W124......I just can't see how never changing the tranny oil will make them last as long as the older style boxes.

 

[damo2000]

Update

Got my car to my regular indy garage today, gearbox has gone!! Supposedly, certain auto gearbox's fitted around that time (97-98) had bushes as opposed to bearings (??) They "break" when chaning from P to N to D etc, hence the reason mine went tits up without any warning. They are willing to fit a merc box or a recon one, but from their experience they have suggested a merc one, which comes with a 2 year warranty. They will fit either for £220 + vat, Im thinking of going for a merc box (£1400 + VAT) which will mean im forking out a bankrupting £1900!!! My relationship with mercedes is now on rocky ground.....

 

[damo2000]

Garage also mentioned that this was a relatively "common" problem with E Class mercs of that age??

 

[jimsinessex]

Damo, I believe I have the same gearbox in my 1999 CLK, now at 122k miles.
Would you mind posting the serial number of your 'box so I can get an idea if this bush versus bearing prob might apply to me. The number will be at the back of the Service Book.
Cheers, Jim

 

[jberks]

I understand that 'sealed for life' simply means a shorter life and dead at 110k isn't sufficiently unusual . I had the fluid condition checked at 60k and all was ok apparently, but if I get to 100k I will be booking her in for an ATF change irrespective. Its an expensive passtime apparently with the fluid costing £10 per litre (?) but well cheaper than a new box.

 

[jimsinessex]

I had my CLK from new and was sticking to the MB "sealed for life" line until I started to read comments on here advising regular ATF changes.
Had the first change at 70k miles at a Stealership, total cost in 2003 was £174. have now decided to settle for changes at 50k mile intervals. Second change last month at 121k miles was £137 at Andy Gayles.
After each change I noticed a definite improvement in the smoothness of the gear changes. As I intend to keep the car for a few years yet and am doing 30k miles a year this seems to be the way to go.

Cheers, Jim

 

[jimsinessex]

gearbox has gone!! Supposedly, certain auto gearbox's fitted around that time (97-98) had bushes as opposed to bearings (??) They "break" when chaning from P to N to D etc, hence the reason mine went tits up without any warning.

Does anyone know more about this bushes/bearings problem on the 5 spd electronic boxes?

Jim