C230K. Is my gearbox about to fail

[Highlander]

I have a C230K/Oct 2003, 53K miles
Car has been fine but has recently started to feel a bit "jerky" especially at light throttle almost as if there was a constant slight misfire or hesitation. Gear changes are smooth enough up and down but not quite as smooth as my C240/ 63K miles.

The problem now is that when started from cold, say overnight, engage drive and held on the footbrake, the car shudders and tries to push forward quite hard but does not feel like its stalling. When engine warms up, the problem disappears, and can be held stopped in D with the footbrake and no shudder. Gear changes are smooth but the "jerky" drive remains.

The car is booked into Merc for gearbox/engine diagnostics for £100 but I have now been advised (via phone) by a gearbox specialist that the problem is the torque converter/lockup clutch starting to fail and the cure is a rebuild at £1800 to £2200 and the diagnostic check is a waste as no real errors will show!!!!

The gearbox oil has never been replaced nor have the sparkplugs. Could there be a simplier answer? Can anyone help please as car is booked into Merc tomorrow.

 

[rpe2]

Do a search for Valeo. For your sake I hope its something else.

If it is, you may be able to catch it early..

Fingers crossed....

 

[SQ_W211]

I would get it checked by an indie, dnt go to MB. They will be trying to make the most of your situation and charge you as they please. Get another opinion from someone before you spend any money on the car.

Some of the seniors may have a solutions for you as well as advise

 

[SQ_W211]

Do a search for Valeo. For your sake I hope its something else.

If it is, you may be able to catch it early..

Fingers crossed....

Oh i forgot, its W209.......

Check what radiator you have, lets hope for yours sake that its Behr and not Valeo as they are known to fail and ruin the Gearbox

 

[Highlander]

Thanks Richard
Are you thinking Rad and Glycol in gearbox?

 

[television]

Highlander I think that you are being conned.

If there is a humming vibrating when pulling lightly at around 15-2k RPM that indicate possible glycol damage.

The torque converters clutches never break up,if damaged by glycol the faces raise.

Even if the torque converter was replaced the cost is around £1300 The putting on star and re activating the the lock up cost nothing

First thing to do is to have a glycol test, if negative, just change the fluid and filter circa £160, if positive still change the fluid and re adapt the lock up on STAR and take it from there

 

[rpe2]

Malcolm,

Is it my imagination, or are we seeing more and more instances of dealers selling a Jackanory story for £££££££, or has it always been that way.

If it is, I blame Robert Peston

 

[television]

Malcolm,

Is it my imagination, or are we seeing more and more instances of dealers selling a Jackanory story for £££££££, or has it always been that way.

If it is, I blame Robert Peston

Sadly the porkies tales are on the rise, intentional or not I do not know, it often is not what is said,it is what isn't said, and that is just as bad in my view

 

[Highlander]

Highlander I think that you are being conned.

If there is a humming vibrating when pulling lightly at around 15-2k RPM that indicate possible glycol damage.

The torque converters clutches never break up,if damaged by glycol the faces raise.

Even if the torque converter was replaced the cost is around £1300 The putting on star and re activating the the lock up cost nothing

First thing to do is to have a glycol test, if negative, just change the fluid and filter circa £160, if positive still change the fluid and re adapt the lock up on STAR and take it from there

Thanks for info Malcolm, I can feel the blood pressue going down. Have to say I have not noticed humming vibrating at < 2000RPM but will check tomorrow.
A few more questions:
If glycol damage is possible cause, would this explain why cold start symptoms largely disappear when engine warm?
Should I let Merc have a go at diagnostics or go for Indie?
Anyone in Scotland with STAR diagnostics?
Many thanks for your advice

 

[television]

Thanks for info Malcolm, I can feel the blood pressue going down. Have to say I have not noticed humming vibrating at < 2000RPM but will check tomorrow.
A few more questions:
If glycol damage is possible cause, would this explain why cold start symptoms largely disappear when engine warm?
Should I let Merc have a go at diagnostics or go for Indie?
Anyone in Scotland with STAR diagnostics?
Many thanks for your advice

Do not waste your money, this has nothing to do with the engine being hot or cold. I have to say it here, sadly MB engineers cant even manage to change all of the box fluid, I told one yesterday how he could, but his reply was "I have to do it by the book"

Indies only charge a fraction of the price.

Let me explain the glycol symptoms, when pulling lightly at around 1500-2500 a humming / droning or jolting.

The MAF filter also fit you complaint

Shaking,misfiring when accelerating or dies when idling

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

Malcolm,

Is it my imagination, or are we seeing more and more instances of dealers selling a Jackanory story for £££££££, or has it always been that way.

If it is, I blame Robert Peston

Definately probably because they are not selling many new cars they are ripping off existing customers, and dont I know it.
Alfie B

 

[Highlander]

Do not waste your money, this has nothing to do with the engine being hot or cold. I have to say it here, sadly MB engineers cant even manage to change all of the box fluid, I told one yesterday how he could, but his reply was "I have to do it by the book"

Indies only charge a fraction of the price.

Let me explain the glycol symptoms, when pulling lightly at around 1500-2500 a humming / droning or jolting.

The MAF filter also fit you complaint

Shaking,misfiring when accelerating or dies when idling

I shall check out the glycol symptoms 1500-2000RPM test first thing tomorrow. But what if this is OK? Any other possibilities?

In this part of the world the Indie price is only £7 cheaper than the stealer. There is a gap in the market up here.

 

[television]

I shall check out the glycol symptoms 1500-2000RPM test first thing tomorrow. But what if this is OK? Any other possibilities?

In this part of the world the Indie price is only £7 cheaper than the stealer. There is a gap in the market up here.

As I said earlier the MAF can cause Shaking,misfiring when accelerating or dies when idling


Someone will put up a better indie

 

[Highlander]

Decided to bite bullet and let Merc have a go at diagnostics. They say no fault codes showing on gearbox or engine. They then ran road test with converter locked up and clutch deactivated. This they said cured the driving shudder. Conclusion: Glycol in oil. Although they cannot prove this as they do not have glycol test kit. Solution: Replace rad, flush out torque converter. Less than a days work and all yours for £1,000 with no guarantee of success.

Malcolm, what is your opinion. If the converter clutch faces are raised by glycol contamination would the flush work? Could they have missed something on the MAF?

 

[television]

If the clutch deactivation and re setting has taken away the shudder, then fine, a new rad and flush out. I would still use a good indie and the cost will drop right down, indies can do a better job of flushing and draining

 

[Highlander]

Shudder is still on the car so am I correct to assume Merc has not left the clutch deactivated or reset? What should I expect to pay? A good indie is hard to find up here.

 

[television]

Well they should have adapted to a new setting, if the judder is still there, then the only cure is a new torque converter.

 

[haprempeh]

Hello Highlander,

I would be interested in knowing how you got on, particularly if you found a good indi in Scotland. I am based in Lanarkshire. I have a 2005 CLS CDI which has begun to give a very jerky down shift from 2nd to 1st. I have already spent £400 at MB who have told me they do not know what the problem is.
I am wondering if I need to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced?
Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[rpe2]

I thought that there was a software u/g for the 7G box

 

[ernieh]

Glasgow Indy

TJ O'Neil in glasgow gets a good name, although I haven't used them personally. His servicing rate works out at about half that of MB's. His phone no. is 0141 778 5314.

Ernie