C180 Transmission Oil Cooler

[puter]

My wife has a C180 Coupe from new which is 34 months old with 10000 on the clock. She was a bit concerned to read about transmission oil cooler problems because of it being built into the radiator matrix. Full story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2007/10/06/nosplit/mrjon06.xml and would be pleased to hear from anyone with experience of this problem, because she had intended to keep the car for a few more years.

 

[Kim-Sharman]

It's true

Just happened to me. MB wanted £5,750 to fix it and were not interested in helping finacially. I have a 4 yo CLK.

****ed off? You bet!

 

[kth286]

As far as I know, nobody has explained what EXACTLY happens.

I am not sure I believe that the coolant in the radiator can get across to the gearbox circuit oil.

They are completely different circuits - just happens they are in the same framework.

It may well happen somewhere else perhaps.

Come on somebody please explain how it happens and lets put it as a sticky !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Where the gearbox oil cooler pipes join the radiator the travel though a water jacket. These jackets had a habit of leaking thus water in the trans oil.

 

[rich1975]

I am considering buying a 52 reg C200K from a relative as the car has been very well looked after and has only covered 30k miles. However I also read the telegraph article and was a little worried. We looked under the bonnet of the car today and it looks like the transmission oil cooler is seperate to the radiator on this model.

Can anyone please advise if this design fault is present in a 52 plate C200k or have later models been updated?

Thanks

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

This fault only applies to cetain vehicles with valeo radiators 211, 220, and 209. i think its usually with deisel engines. never heard of it with a c class

 

[rich1975]

This fault only applies to cetain vehicles with valeo radiators 211, 220, and 209. i think its usually with deisel engines. never heard of it with a c class

But the car in the "honest John" article is a 2002 C180K.

He goes on to say that "It's a ridiculous design fault and the failure is quite common"

Anyone else have any knowledge on this?

 

[television]

This fault affect the 203, 211 and 209 up to 30-09-03 and no other cars, the radiator get a pin hole where it joins to the fluid cooler, the glycol raises the surface of the clutch plates in the torque converter making the car judder at 20-30 mph accompanied by a droning sound.

The box itself is always OK and needs a new rad and torque converter

 

[kth286]

Malcolm (or anyone)

Is it possible to post up a diagram to show what actually happens please.

It would be very useful for owners to understand and discuss with dealer and to make sure they are not being ripped off.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[kth286]

Ian b Walker

You seem to understand the problem.

But can you explain further how/where the two fluids will make contact with each other.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[television]

Malcolm (or anyone)

Is it possible to post up a diagram to show what actually happens please.

It would be very useful for owners to understand and discuss with dealer and to make sure they are not being ripped off.

Thanks in anticipation.

Hi Keith, nothing showing where the actual pin hole is has never been released.

cars that have had the mod have a white sticker on the oil cooler section

 

[puter]

Message from Janet who says. “Thank You.” To everyone for their input regarding her C180 Coupe. She now feels much happier about keeping her motor.

 

[Kim-Sharman]

Gearbox unaffected?

Not true, I needed a new one!

 

[rich1975]

Thanks for the all the advice. Could someone please confim if a 52 reg C200K is affected. I dont fully understand what the "203, 211 and 209 up to 30-09-03" relates to.

Thanks

 

[television]

Look at the bottom of your windscreen passenger side and you will see the VIN number starting with WDB and 52 should be 230 next this is the model of your car

 

[rich1975]

Thanks - I will check the number (I presume you are saying that the c-class is a 230 model which is not affected by this fault)

 

[television]

Thanks - I will check the number (I presume you are saying that the c-class is a 230 model which is not affected by this fault)

The fault affects the 203 car your VIN number starts with either WDB202 or WDB203

Lets get past the first step

 

[BlackC55]

Ian b Walker

You seem to understand the problem.

But can you explain further how/where the two fluids will make contact with each other.

Thanks in anticipation.

The transmission oil cooler is insde the radiator. The coolant inside the radiator seeps into the transmission oil contaminating it.

 

[BlackC55]

This is a document that shows all the cars affected.

https://aftersales-net.daimlerchrys...do?valid=full&langId=en&id=10013562&version=7

 

[darrindwp]

This is a document that shows all the cars affected.

https://aftersales-net.daimlerchrys...do?valid=full&langId=en&id=10013562&version=7

Needs user name a password for that link.