E 220 cdi judder/vibration

[chrisdenby]

I have a 2003 E 220 cdi. classic 102 K, mainly motorway miles. I get a judder or vibration when accelerating hard. This is worse on a hill or when fully loaded. It is also worse when the vehicle is up to heat. i.e. after say 30 mins running. MB dealer say it is because I have 18 inch non standard wheels and low profilie tyres. Not convinced what do you think??

regards

CD

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Judder from the steering wheel, engine, drivetrain, or wheels?

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

If you can beg, borrow or steal a set of the original wheels and tyres that would rule that one out. If they have examined the car I assume they have ruled out the obvious like gearbox or diff rumbles? I have been suffering juddering/vibrations with no obvious cause and it has been suggested it could be the clutch flywheel, I will know better tomorrow if this is right as I am collectng the van after a flywheel replacement and I will try to report back on this thread if it is sorted.

 

[television]

Can you please put up the first 6 numbers of the VIN WDB211---


Malcolm

 

[chrisdenby]

I have a 2003 E 220 cdi. classic 102 K, mainly motorway miles. I get a judder or vibration when accelerating hard. This is worse on a hill or when fully loaded. It is also worse when the vehicle is up to heat. i.e. after say 30 mins running. MB dealer say it is because I have 18 inch non standard wheels and low profilie tyres. Not convinced what do you think??

regards

CD

First time i've done this so I hope I am replying in the right place.

Thanks all.

VIN, WDB 211 0062A1. thats 6 after the example you have shown, trust OK.

I've thought about the wheels and am working on that as I thought the same. For more info I have had them balanced by MB at service and by independant to make sure. Car is 5 speed auto. Same in S as W.

The judder feels general. There is a small flutter fron the steering wheel at 70 mph. which I think is wheel balance which is why I had the balance checked twice. There is no noticable judder from the gear selector. Cant say abouit the engine. It sems to feel like it is coming more from the rear of the car.
If you accelerate slowly on a level surface there is nothing. 4 up and some boot load it happens on the level. On a hill at most speeds it is very noticable. Hard overtaking on any terrain can be quite bad but much worse when loaded. I have to assume MB checked have checked gearbox etc. but I am thinking of leaning on them a bit more which is why a bit of ammo will help.

Thanks again
Chris.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Does judder feel like a faint cattle-grid type noise? If so, my guess would be torque converter.

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Does judder feel like a faint cattle-grid type noise? If so, my guess would be torque converter.

Is it auto or manual? I got my van back after a flywheel replacement and the vibration is still there so That was a bit of a dead end.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I can understand them thinking about flywheel in your Sprinter, as these are often a dual-mass item, which can regularly play up.

Have you had a good look at the UJ's on your propshaft. If your van has to work for a living, these can start to seize up if they dry out. The best way to check them is to remove the prop, and manipulate by hand in all directions, feeling for tight spots.

Checking for testicular cancer is a similar proceedure, and one that should also be conducted regularly!!

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

I can understand them thinking about flywheel in your Sprinter, as these are often a dual-mass item, which can regularly play up.

Have you had a good look at the UJ's on your propshaft. If your van has to work for a living, these can start to seize up if they dry out. The best way to check them is to remove the prop, and manipulate by hand in all directions, feeling for tight spots.

Checking for testicular cancer is a similar proceedure, and one that should also be conducted regularly!!

This is one of the next jobs I had in mind(checking the u/j's not my balls ) but I was hoping the flywheel would cure two faults at once. I was just putting it off to try and keep my hands clean. I will get my tools out this week and get cracking

 

[television]

I do not like writing this ,but here goes.

There was a problem with this car (its before 30 09 03)where the radiator could leak water into the gearbox.

You must get a glycol test done on the gearbox fluid, avoid using the car until this is done.

You can feed your complete VIN inc WDB to this site
http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/index.html?lng=eng
and you will get the build date if it is before the above date, then this test must be done.

You could look at the top of the radiator,if there is a wite spot at one end then the above does not apply as it has been modified.

malcolm

 

[Uncle Benz]

I strongly agree with Malcolm's suggestion about not using the car until the Glycol test has been done.

Keep us posted

Chin up!!

 

[chrisdenby]

Hi all,

Sorry for delay but I have been on holiday.

The story is now over and this is the result.
Took car to MB for a wheel change test as suggested. They drove it on the old wheels and said without a doubt it was gearbox. Dropped the oil and there iron filings everwhere and in the filter. There were obviously to expensive at £3.4K exchange. I took it, at their suggestion, to Sussex Auto services, Hailsham. (01323 846666). £1950. plus VAT for a rebuild with 12 months 36k miles warranty. Picked it up today and it is as smooth as it should be.

Thanks for all your input.

Regards

CD.

 

[haydar]

This is a reoccuring issue owner's of w211 e220 cdi suffer from. The problem was definitely the torque convertor, which costs around £700 from MB. The iron filings found in the gearbox oil is fairly normal. I guess your car is not fixed, but I still think you should give MB a real talking too:
i. They is a known issue and they should have told you it was the torque convertor straight away and that the gearbox didn't need a rebuild.
ii. Since so many 220cdi w211s are suffering from this (mine did exactly the same thing) they should be footing the bill!