Help - is my gearbox f*^$%d!!?

[RA19]

I've got one of the dreaded glycol gearbox problems on my 52 reg E270cdi auto. Last weekend the tiptronic (steptronic?) function ceased to work. The car was fine on an 80 mile motorway trip, but when I came off the motorway to a junction the car seemed to be locked in top gear in the auto drive position. I managed to limp the remaining few miles home (nightmare accelerating from rest in top gear!!), but am now alarmed to use it for fear of doing further damage to the gearbox and engine.

Can anyone provide any guidance please? Many thanks!

 

[jberks]

It doesn't sound like the glycol problem to me.
That causes vibration and slippage of the torque converter. Your gearbox has locked up which is a different symptom entirely.
I'm not sure what it is, maybe controller/valve assembly etc hence it may not be better news on the financial front but I'd say get a merc indie to read the error codes and possibly an auto gearbox specialist to take a look.
If it's still locked up (do try it) then yes, get it collected on a low loader - but you never know it may be a glitch and be ok now.

 

[RA19]

Thanks. Sorry should have said - it does have the glycol problem too because I had it tested at MB dealer; I just haven't had the funds to lay out £2000+ on new rad, torque convertor, gearbox flush etc. etc. Been able to 'nurse' it through the juddering problems by using the tiptronic to change gear 'manually' before that stopped working.
As you say the financial outlay will be huge either way. Can't understand why MB didn't do the right thing with this problem from the outset.

 

[spiker]

W203 gearbox problems

Hi guys, my 270cdi 2002 100,000 miles locked in top gear this weekend, turned off the engine and restarted and the box returned to normal, but it just got worse and finally locked in first gear, luckily i still had four days left on the 3 month warranty and had repaired by Driver transmission in Brum,
it was the pressure plate in the box and it would have cost me £450 to fix.
happy days

 

[television]

Thanks. Sorry should have said - it does have the glycol problem too because I had it tested at MB dealer; I just haven't had the funds to lay out £2000+ on new rad, torque convertor, gearbox flush etc. etc. Been able to 'nurse' it through the juddering problems by using the tiptronic to change gear 'manually' before that stopped working.
As you say the financial outlay will be huge either way. Can't understand why MB didn't do the right thing with this problem from the outset.

Have you owned the car from new, it could be much cheaper from an indie.

Have you asked MB for help on this

 

[RA19]

Malcolm

I've owned the car for 2 years (bought privately with 53K miles). Now got 85K on clock. Took it to Purslow's in Basingstoke originally who did all glycol tests. They asked MB for help towards costs but got a NO. I've now written direct to a guy called Bob Middleton at MB at Milton Keynes (undrstand he's the MD) & wait to see what reply (if any) I get. Their online customer service (based in Holland or Belgium I think) were not helpful - here's a copy of their 'final' email on the subject to me. As you can see they still insist this is a rare occurrence!

The transmission and transmission oil cooler fitted to your Mercedes-Benz are made using the latest in manufacturing processes, materials and technology available. Mercedes-Benz carries out stringent safety tests during after production and also carry out extensive research in the field of aftersales.

We can assure you that the failure you have described is a rare occurrence and is not a common issue within the passenger car range.

In this instance, there can be no clear explanation as to why the transmission oil cooler on your vehicle developed a leak. However, it seems that as a result, the transmission oil has become contaminated and subsequently damaged the transmission and the torque converter.

We would normally rule out the possibility of a manufacturing defect, as one would expect any weakness in the transmission oil cooler that was caused during the manufacture of the component to have become apparent sooner than the age and mileage at which this unfortunate incident has occurred.

You will understand that a manufacturer cannot completely guarantee that a component will never fail; neither can we completely eliminate the chances of consequential damage should any component fail.

However we can reassure you that the new components fitted to your vehicle and the method of replacement used meets Mercedes-Benz’s stringent standards.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to analyse the decayed components and provide an accurate statement defining the exact reason why the initial leak became apparent, nor a detailed explanation of the subsequent chain of events leading to the transmission failure.

It is however most often the case that failures occur or develop as a result of outside influence. The decomposition of metal by oxidization usually begins following impact damage Scratches, crash repairs, car wash abrasions, industrial fallout, chemical attack and salt air environments. Also materials such as rubber and plastic can also perish due to similar factors.

 

[Dosco]

The person who wrote that deserves a medal made of manure obtained from a Bull, company line through and through and as 'they' say he/she is just doing their job - now where have we heard that before:roll:- Given the number of issues raised on this subject/problem on the forum I would certainly not give up and if MK fail to respond with a goodwill gesture then write to MB Stuttgart.

 

[television]

Tell them that you have been on the forums and at least 50 on here have had the problem, the same on Benzworld and MB world, if not more.

Where are you based in the UK

 

[Rory]

The person who wrote that deserves a medal made of manure obtained from a Bull, company line through and through and as 'they' say he/she is just doing their job - now where have we heard that before:roll:- Given the number of issues raised on this subject/problem on the forum I would certainly not give up and if MK fail to respond with a goodwill gesture then write to MB Stuttgart.

The last paragraph of MB's reply is a bit odd.
They basically point out that things can't least for ever (which is probably fair enough), but then they try to shift the blame elsewhere.

 

[jberks]

A friend had a similar argument with audi regarding the failure of his DSG gearbox. Rare occurence say Audi. The Audi owners forum said something different. He sent a list of urls to Audi and, realising that their lie wasn't going to cut it, they backed down and made him an offer. 2 or 3 emails later and that offer was up to 75% which he then accepted.
Worth a try.
Pop "mercedes gearbox failure valeo" into google - should give you tonnes of ammo.
And remember, its not a final email until you say it is!

 

[markg14]

I'd be very tempted to have the repair done in MB authorised garage, pay the bill and seek recompense through the small claims court. Not expensive for you - and quite a good case with all the warranty claims they have paid out on. And the "bull****t" letter would be very embarrassing for them with the weight of opinion venturing the exact opposite.

 

[RA19]

Thanks for the messages of support guys! I started the car today and it was working in auto and tiptronic mode again. The judder at certain revs (around 2000 revs and 40mph) is still pronounced of course, so I need to get it done. Not sure I want to risk it on any long trips for now though.

Malcolm gave me Mercland in Nuneaton (away until Saturday according to website) and I think nearest main dealer to me in Warwick is Stratford-on-Avon. No experience of them however. When I took it to Purslows in Basingstoke a while back they just email MB and wait for an answer ref. any offer to help with costs. Answer then was NO.

Still waiting for a response from my letter to MB UK.

 

[jberks]

When I took it to Purslows in Basingstoke a while back they just email MB and wait for an answer ref. any offer to help with costs. Answer then was NO.

Still waiting for a response from my letter to MB UK.

Ok - thats a lets boycott Purslow then. If they can't be bothered to put any effort in we shouldn't be bothered to use them. I'm sick of lazy, jobsworth dealers.

The first answer is almost always no. It was for my goodwill claims. The dealer is then supposed to call them up and fight your corner. Sadly Merc North Leeds is a bit too far for you or I'd send you there. The service manager there regularly takes MBUK on and more often than not, wins.

 

[RA19]

What I thought was odd with Purslows was that the guy disappeared out back to 'talk' to MB rather than have the discussion at the desk where I could hear what was being said! Reminded me of "computer says noooo.." (for Little Britain fans )

Letter received from MB today - apparently the guy I wrote to is the MD of MB Finance so they've passed letter on to MB UK Ltd. It may be me, but try going to the main MB website & finding a list of contacts etc. It's almost as if they don't want you to find them, apart from the dreaded email service which you read above.

Why do they fix the SBC problem without complaint & yet seem unprepared to offer help with this issue?

 

[television]

What I thought was odd with Purslows was that the guy disappeared out back to 'talk' to MB rather than have the discussion at the desk where I could hear what was being said! Reminded me of "computer says noooo.." (for Little Britain fans )

Letter received from MB today - apparently the guy I wrote to is the MD of MB Finance so they've passed letter on to MB UK Ltd. It may be me, but try going to the main MB website & finding a list of contacts etc. It's almost as if they don't want you to find them, apart from the dreaded email service which you read above.

Why do they fix the SBC problem without complaint & yet seem unprepared to offer help with this issue?

SBC are brakes and a safety item, they have no choice


A google search does indeed bring up hundreds of links to the valeo problem

 

[RA19]

Just out of interest I was quoted about £700 for a new radiator (both Purslow's and a specialist in Reading). On searching the net I found this place called Mick's Garage in Ireland (now, now don't go there please with the snide remarks ) and he's selling radiators for E-Class at 320 Euros (made by Nissan apparently).
Any thoughts? Here take a look!

http://www.micksgarage.ie/CarSpec.a...ODEL=E Class (W211) 2.7 E270 CDi 2002 Onwards

 

[television]

Looks OK could not find the make from the link

 

[RA19]

Malcolm
I emailed them and they said were Nissan (or Nissen as they spelled it). Less than half the price - is too good to be true usually just that??

 

[television]

Thats too hard to say, these things do get sold off, its quite possible that when the fault on the valeo's came to light that another manufacture had to be called in,to help with the demand, and the chances are that had MB been selling them they would have got re labeled anyway

 

[Xtractorfan]

The NISSEN rads are not made by NISSAN ..Nissen is a well known part manufacturer, no connection..as far as I know ..with the NISSAN car manufacturer