E-Class diesel auto gearbox failure!

[RA19]

Hope someone may be able to offer some advice.

After experiencing the infamous glycol / valeo problems I recently (third week in May) had a new radiator fitted and a full torque convertor flush done at Mercland in Nuneaton.

The car has been fine since then until this weekend. I noticed the juddering start to reappear and heard an unfamiliar noise (like a chain spinning). Yesterday the car stuck in top gear with no use of the steptronic box available. At a set of lights the engine was just racing under drive, but not moving. I managed to roll in neutral to a safe parking place. Turned the engine off and then re-started & managed to limp home with at least ten stops (engine off / try again) on a 4 mile trip in evening rush hour!!! The engine continues to rev highly but is reluctant to move the car forward. At one junction nothing happened and I floored the accelerator and the car eventually roared into life to get me off the main road. ****** scary experience!

Anyway I'm at a friend's 130 miles away from Mercland. Have just tried to ring Jay there but he's on holiday. Before I book a tow to somewhere local in Reading I thought I'd ask on here to see if anyone has a clue as to what's happening?

Thanks all.

Rob

 

[rpe2]

If you are away from home, the only viable check you can do is to check the oil which in itself is not easy as there is no dipstick. The RAC/ AA may have a dipstick to check.

John Griffiths/ Star Motors are the main indie's in Reading from memory.

 

[RA19]

Thanks Richard. Yes, I pulled up the cap on the oil check for the transmission & no dipstick! It says dealer only or something similar. I'd be surprised if it was empty as the torque convertor flush and rad was only done mid-May.

 

[rpe2]

I'd hope not too, it is the only thing I can think of, or it may the the conductor/ electroplate which will show a fault code, either way it sounds like you need to get it looked at before heading back in the direction of Brum.

 

[RA19]

I've checked on Star Motors and they're about 5 miles from me. Guess it may be worth seeing if the car will drive round the block ok & then maybe try to get there. There are no malfunction codes showing on the dash readings at all. It's a 52 plate with just under 90K on the clock.

 

[rpe2]

The fault codes for this won't show on the dash, only when plugged into a diagnostic computer. Star and JG are about 5 mins walk from each other, I use JG only because I always have done so, but Star also comes very well recommended on here.

My old W210 with the same gearbox played up just before I sold it. It jammed in 1st gear and wouldn't change up at all, it was the electroplate..

Should add that I paid a visit to MBS on the coast a week ago, and was very impressed, but not a 5 min drive for you.

 

[RA19]

Thx for your help. I'm going to arrange a tow truck to take it in!

 

[RA19]

Well the filter in the transmission was completely blocked with crap - out of the torque convertor presumably! At first suggested filter & oil change, but when they took the sump off said there was so much more crap out of the convertor that new filter would just get blocked again in no time. So it's a recon torque convertor plus 5 hours labour. Off road about a week and credit card going to get another serious hammering.

And not a bean of contribution from MB who designed this problem to begin with! grrrrrrr!!!

 

[Rory]

And not a bean of contribution from MB who designed this problem to begin with! grrrrrrr!!!

Interesting that there was a recent thread on the HonestJohn forum from someone with a 2003 BMW320d that blew its turbo (a known issue) and needed a new exhaust system.

BMW contributed 20% and the dealer discounted the work too, reducing the original full bill from £3200 to £1900. However other posters thought, as I've always believed with these things, that the £1900 price is "right" and the original bill is just loaded to give BMW and the dealer some room to appear helpful.