Gearbox problems? 1997 C180 automatic.

[russavis]

Hello,
Was wondering if anyone could help, my car suddenly stopped changin gear, was taken to Merc garage and had an electrical fault fixed, worked fine for approx twelve hours, then the car required putting into park before it would drive again!! Was then told the valve on the gearbox next to the previously fixed electric switch was knackered, this was then replaced, now apparently the gearbox is knackered and will require replacing along with the torque convertor, is this the norm for a gearbox which is only 100000 miles old?

Cheers,

Russ

 

[mjtray]

How old is the car and has it got a full MB service history/invoices?

 

[russavis]

Age of Car

This is a 1997 W202 C180 Automatic with 100,000 miles and yes it does have full MBSH with invoices!! Which is all the more reason for concern, especially when the repair is £3000 and the car's resell value is only £4250!!!

 

[mjtray]

As it has a full MB service you would assume that it has had gearbox oil changes every 36,000 miles or so. If this is the case 100,000 miles is premature for the box to fail.

£3000 sounds way too much for a box on this car.....I had a quote for £1400 for a rebuild on a w124 box.

Try George Fraser on 020-8795 1055....they are known experts on all auto box related problems.

Good luck

 

[jberks]

Get a second opinion. For all you know, the mechanic may want a new gearbox for his Merc, and he has yours in mind!. Don't laugh, I once got a Ford engine that way. In any case, a recon of yours will cost a lot less than 3k. If it needs it. It seems dealers only replace, they never repair.

 

[wingco]

If your gearbox is a 5 speed (with a w and s setting on it), then it is a 722.6. MB do not change the ATF and filters on these gearboxes and consider them sealed for life. This causes many failures on this box. Luckily I cought mine at 90K miles and changed the ATF and and filter, but only after a new ECU and valve block.

A recon box (fitted by a specialist and not MB) should be about £1300. Dont believe the cr*p the dealers tell you about this gearbox.

 

[kaleem]

Hi guys,
I reckon I'm having an issue with my 5 Sp Auto aswell. (W202 - 96/97 C180 63k)
Early mornings the gears change late and I'm usually revving to about 3500 - 4000RPM before gears change (Incl 1st to 2nd)
Theres usually a small shudder while breaking at a traffic light. This slight push happens even when the car warms up.
Once the car is slightly warmed up and the gears have all gone through from 1st to 4th or 5th .. the upward changes become smoother with time.
Im concerned since if it is a matter of getting the ATF changed on this so called "sealed" 722.6 box, id better do it now before i start getting slipping gears and what not.
I did take it too a dealer who had their mechanics take it for a test on couple of miles, but the came back saying "its normal for a car your model and age to drive like this" [ Bullshxt! ]
Please let me know if u more experinced drivers have suggestions.
Cheers!

 

[guydewdney]

the gearbox ecu tells the engine to rev harder to warm up the cat in the cold early mornings - so it is normal for it to this..

but the shudder is not - try getting the gearbox oil / filter replaced to start with - the oil (genuine MB oil ONLY) is about 90 quid - so you are looking at about 150 quid..

I'll back up the commets about George Fraser in Acton - he has fixed mine and its now as smooth as a babys bum!

 

[c250 turbo diesel]

Changing auto transmissiom fluid

Russ, I know this does not help you ! Close to me is a gearbox specialist, auto and maual, who in the past has given me some sound advice, that was 100% correct.
I took my c 250 td round to him to check the oil level, as 1 there is no dipstick, and 2 the red cap would not come off, I the asked him if it was worth changing the oil and filter, and his answer surprised me !

He said the worst thing I could do was change the oil/filter as the integral force of the box throws all the crap up arround the casing, and when new oil is added the detergent in the oil dislodges all of this muck, and after a couple of weeks of running the problems start.

To prove his point he had a e 320 cdi in the shop with the box out and stripped, I saw the muck all on the casing, he says the only proper way is to strip and flush, or as said leave alone.

Now to say the least this has confused me, as I have allways been a good maintanence man, of course one would never do this with an engine ! but an auto box ????????????????????????????????/ Roy

 

[jberks]

Dealer - "they all do it"
translation - "its a common fault and we can't be arsed to figure it out"

Dealer - "there is nothing showing on the computer"
translation "and I have no diagnostic skills of my own"

I have the teeshirt on this one with an electrical problem - According to the dealer, lost of V6 mercs have a misfire! If you're sure that something has changed, then persevere, probably with a specialist (Gbox or Merc) as you're likely to get a better answer.

As Guy says, the gear changes will differ with temp but only you know if your car's character has changed suddenly.

 

[pumpin]

Hi all, my first post... My car is a 1997 C180 automatic that just developed this gear problem.
Can anyone recommend a good garage where this problem can be fixed in london with a cost that's not too expensive considering the age and the current market value of the car?


Many thanks