Please read im worried about this

[chrisy5555]

hello

I seen this on a description on ebay and now im worried

The car has been maintained regardless of cost. It had the gearbox fully reconditioned by a specialist in Glasgow last year as these cars are prone to the torque convertor going faulty. Mercedes Benz are aware of this !! If you are looking at these cars please be very aware of this fault, its not easy to spot !!! Drive the car at 50mph, up a slight hill or under any kind of load and set the cruise control. Watch the rev counter needle. If it 'hunts' then the torque convertor is gone!! It will only fluctuate a hundred revs or so, up and down but you WILL see it and then you will feel the car gently lunging forward and back as it lookds for power. £3000 at least to get this repair done. Please be very careful with the 220cdi automatics !!!!!!! This one has been repaired.

my 2004 e220 does this from time to time what are your views on this? im very scared now

 

[television]

This is not true of the glycol issue, and I think that you are maybe reading something into this on your car, the original fault and only fault was a humming or droning when pulling light at between 1600 and 2k RPM.

The odd car has turned up with a build after 09-03 the cut off date for that fault

 

[5pares]

Sounds like the lockup clutch in the torque convertor, a good flush with fresh oil normally does the job.

 

[chrisy5555]

thanks guys you have really made me feel better i was stressing there even getting prices on a new gear box so a gearbox oil change it is then

thanks again guys if we were in a pub id be buying you alot of pints right now

 

[chrisy5555]

Hello
just an update i had the gear oil changed and the problem has now gone so you were right.

thanks again

 

[markg14]

I disagree! MB still have problems with the torque-converter on C220 CDI's. Not a few, but very common. My W204 has had the torque converter replaced at 20,000 miles, and at 50,000 it is again showing the dreaded vibration signs again. I have read numerous others have had trouble with the torque-converter AND the gearbox software. I am also convinced that MB have detuned the engine slightly (by "updating" the engine management software during services) to save the expensive warranty claims they were getting with this problem.

 

[television]

I disagree! MB still have problems with the torque-converter on C220 CDI's. Not a few, but very common. My W204 has had the torque converter replaced at 20,000 miles, and at 50,000 it is again showing the dreaded vibration signs again. I have read numerous others have had trouble with the torque-converter AND the gearbox software. I am also convinced that MB have detuned the engine slightly (by "updating" the engine management software during services) to save the expensive warranty claims they were getting with this problem.

Is your box the 7G

 

[markg14]

No Malcolm, just the standard W204 C220 CDI Sport with 5-speed auto gearbox. MB argued like hell when I first had problems with it, and they only conceded when the whine and vibration (at 2000 revs) was unmistakable.

 

[television]

I take it that the car is OK now Mark

 

[Rory]

There have been a few reports of W204 C220CDi's doing this, including posters from mainland Europe and South Africa.

MB reluctance to admit there's a problem seems to be a common theme. It's certainly not what you want on your mind if you're thinking of buying one.

 

[markg14]

The car has been ok for the last few months, but showing signs of torque-converter problems again now at 52,000 (30,000 miles since last torque-converter was replaced). Vibration and humming between 1500-2000 revs. When the car is cold the vibration is at it's worst - especially the first few miles when slowing down for junctions. The car is 18 months old, and I do about 1,000 miles a week (mostly motorways) so envisage another "chat" with MB soon

 

[st4]

Is this a fault on the facelifted 211 220cdi auto's which have the same gearbox/engine. I suspect the gearbox is carried over from the old 150bhp engine and may not be strong enough for the new engine.

The way to check this is to find out if the gearboxes have the same part no's/codes/etc

 

[television]

The car has been ok for the last few months, but showing signs of torque-converter problems again now at 52,000 (30,000 miles since last torque-converter was replaced). Vibration and humming between 1500-2000 revs. When the car is cold the vibration is at it's worst - especially the first few miles when slowing down for junctions. The car is 18 months old, and I do about 1,000 miles a week (mostly motorways) so envisage another "chat" with MB soon

This is identical to the glycol issue

 

[markg14]

Same symptoms because it is the same fault - knackered torque-converter.
But different cause. The glycol issue was caused by dodgy radiator, causing the coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. There is no glycol issue with this problem, just a torque-converter that can't cope with the increase in power from the W204 engine. Mercedes have been very difficult about this issue, and they need to come clean with all W204 C220 CDI owners. Detuning the engine is not the answer I was looking for, but as the car has 18 months left on the warranty, I am happy for them to renew the torque-converter every 6-9 months.

 

[television]

Same symptoms because it is the same fault - knackered torque-converter.
But different cause. The glycol issue was caused by dodgy radiator, causing the coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. There is no glycol issue with this problem, just a torque-converter that can't cope with the increase in power from the W204 engine. Mercedes have been very difficult about this issue, and they need to come clean with all W204 C220 CDI owners. Detuning the engine is not the answer I was looking for, but as the car has 18 months left on the warranty, I am happy for them to renew the torque-converter every 6-9 months.

Thats one way to look at it

 

[markg14]

Just an update to any interested readers. MB have now agreed to replace the torque converter on my W204 Sport for the second time in 60,000 miles. Whining and vibration unmistakable between 1500-2000 revs. Going in next Tuesday for replacement. Now I have a further issue with MB - what happens when the car is out of warranty??? I would like some acknowledgement that this part's warranty will be extended for the life of the car! I will not be happy to pay £1,000+ every 30,000 miles for a new torque converter.....

 

[television]

Just an update to any interested readers. MB have now agreed to replace the torque converter on my W204 Sport for the second time in 60,000 miles. Whining and vibration unmistakable between 1500-2000 revs. Going in next Tuesday for replacement. Now I have a further issue with MB - what happens when the car is out of warranty??? I would like some acknowledgement that this part's warranty will be extended for the life of the car! I will not be happy to pay £1,000+ every 30,000 miles for a new torque converter.....

Surely they will replace the rad if this has not been done already.

It is possible the the torque converter has never been replaced. On car that had a low glycol reading the lock up clutch was deactivated and re set to allow for the enlarged clutch faces on the clutches in the converter

 

[markg14]

That is a very interesting comment Malcolm, because the original torque converter replacement was booked for 2 days, and I was staggered when they said the car was ready for collection after 8 hours! Also, I have had no "related" problems as a result of the supposed repair. i.e. nothing loose or falling off after reassembly. Most unusual for MB, as every other time the car has been worked on, I have had to revisit the dealer for something they had missed.

 

[lulu]

Do you know which 722.6XX gearbox you have in your car?
The reason I ask is that some are rated at being able to accomodate 330Nm (continuously) and others at higher values (eg 580Nm).
(My W203 220cdi has a 330Nm gearbox yet produces 340Nm of torque!)

Your W204 220cdi produces 400Nm which of course is a little higher!

 

[markg14]

Lulu - short of asking MB to tell me what type of gearbox I have, how would I be able to find this out myself (without crawling under the car!)