Gearbox worry.......

[DynamicEarth]

Hi guys,

I currently own an 1996 mercedes E300 diesel and have not long bought it, car has 141k on the clock and has the automatic transmission.
I am a little concerned about the gearbox as a couple of times recently the gears when changing between 1st 2nd and 3rd have felt clunky rather than smooth this does not happen all the time just occasionally.

What are the signs of gearbox failure??

Any advice would be appreciated as love this car and its also my first merc.

Cheers.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

The chances are is that the transmission fluid has never been changed, things have changed since you car was built and the once sealed for life box should now have the fluid changed at around 50k miles along with the filter.

The cost of this work at an indie is around £140 this should make things much smoother

 

[DynamicEarth]

so you reckon that its just the transmission fluid? Can this ruin the gearbox if not changed?

Also my car was fitted with new brakes and discs in august according to receipts i got with car but when i start car i get a message on dash saying brake line wear how do i get this erased?

 

[jpbp200]

I have just had the transmission oil changed on my 1998 c180 95,000 miles as it was slightly clunky between 1st and 2nd especially when cold. Now however it's as smmoth as silk! My MB dealer charged me £149 although another dealer quoted £230. Definately worth getting it changed in my opinion as I understand in can cause premature failure of the gearbox (People in this forum more expert than me can give you more detailed advice I'm sure). Also the old oil can be examined for indications of excessive wear by a competant mechanic. Or you could send a sample off for spectro analasys if you are really concerned. Re the discs. were they changed my an MB dealer? You should be able to tell by looking if they are newish

 

[jberks]

if its clunkly that's not good for the box in itself. The oil serves 2 purposes both as a hydraulic fliud and also as a lubricant. If it's failing on one the other won't be far behind so well worth getting this done asap.
Current MB thinking (this week) is every 45k so you're a tad overdue!.

 

[television]

so you reckon that its just the transmission fluid? Can this ruin the gearbox if not changed?

Also my car was fitted with new brakes and discs in august according to receipts i got with car but when i start car i get a message on dash saying brake line wear how do i get this erased?

You cant get the brake message erased, One of the fronts sensors or pads are faulty or worn through

 

[MotardMan]

The oil serves 2 purposes both as a hydraulic fliud and also as a lubricant.

Make that 3, it is also a coolant! ;o)