E270 Troubleshooting

[amby]

I have a 2003 E270 CDi. While driving at approx 2000 rpm the whole car vibrates and loses power until I accelerate further and then it rectifies itself. Its automatic and 94k miles.

Also the main audio gateway will not switch on. Checked the fuses and they were fine.

I only have the car 1 week but as far as I can make out, these cars give their fair share of trouble??

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[television]

So sorry to hear your news, I think that you will have to hand the car back to the dealer as it has the glycol problem.

That is the radiator is leaking glycol into the gearbox.

The car will need a new rad and new torque converter circa £1500

 

[britnordic]

Amby
I think Malcolm is right, I'm a non Techie, but have seen this on a C270 cdi with exactly the same symptons. If you can, throw it back quickly! It's a well known fault. Any 2004 upwards should be ok.
Aside from the Rad, I would say that it's an ok car and altho mine is the C class, its the same engine and gearbox I think. You'll soon get some more feedback here.

Tony

 

[television]

Car sales dealers go to an auction and buy these cars, not knowing about these faults, as there is no way that you can tell, and the chances are that this was the reason that they went to auction in the first place

 

[amby]

If I put it on the computer will it show up exactly whats wrong? And would it be a waste of time buying them parts second hand?
Any ideas on the audio system??
Thanks.

 

[television]

Star will tell you about the Audio gateway but not the box.

The cost of a rad and torque converter is about £1300, no such thing as second hand items

 

[amby]

Thanks Malcom

 

[television]

That is the MB diagnostic test gear

 

[amby]

Additional info on the box.. It is a Behr Rad. The car only clocked between 3,000 and 5.000 miles in the last 18 months, so would that have a factor and if I changed the gear oil and filter would it possibily solve it?? Wishful thinking!!
Is it any harm to keep on driving it?

 

[television]

You can do no harm in driving it.

So it has a new rad, that helps and if MB changed the fluid they may have only changed ½ of it. You could drive it for a while and then get the lock up re set on STAR.


The effect that the glycol had was to raise the faces of the clutches, they may wear down.

 

[amby]

Thanks Malcolm,
All I do know is that I Had a Mechanic look at it yesterday and he did say something about some seal been broke and it had got topped up with fluid. I will change the oil and filter tomorrow and hope for the best.

 

[amby]

Just after driving the car for approx 10 miles.It drove perfect for the first 5 miles but then a drowen noise began to come from the engine just after gear change. Then came vibrations and hopping foward and back from 3rd to 2nd until i slightly increased acceleration. The vibrations are worse going up hills and happen in both winter and standard mode. I activated the cruise control and when I would reach hills it was noticable that the rev counter would go decreasing and increasing in revs while not having much effect on the cars speed. This stops as soon as I reach the top of the hill.When its vibrating if you did nt know any different you would think it is a front wheel drive as the vibrations are coming from the front. Engine mounts??

 

[television]

The symptoms are described as;;; A humming or droning when pulling lightly in top at engine RPM of 1600-2500

 

[amby]

So do you still think it is a glycol problem?

 

[television]

The effect of what was a glycol problem.

There was a second info sheet that said in certain cases where the level was below a certain figure, just change the rad and the fluid, then turn off the torque converter lock up on STAR, then re adapt it on STAR.

This is the only info that I know of,and I have been in on some 60 post now on forums

 

[amby]

Cheers , appreciate your time.

 

[amby]

Feedback on my glycol problem:
I sent the car into a mercedes dealership and got it tested for glycol.The results were positive with a very high concentrate. The fluild was also very dirty and over filled. I took the chance on flushing out the system and changing the filter. Thank God it paid off. The car is now driving perfect and I am very happy with it. Thanks for all yer help.

 

[rpe2]

Did you change the radiator?

 

[amby]

No I took the chance on that cause it has a behr sticker on it so I was hoping it has been changed recently.

 

[carabind]

No I took the chance on that cause it has a behr sticker on it so I was hoping it has been changed recently.

Well fingers crossed you'll be OK. That will depend on how long term the leak has been there and what it may have affected, but lets hope that it will be the end of it