S320CDI Shuddering

[davidpmiller]

Hi, I have had a problem with my S320 for several months now. Initially, I posted regarding possible MAF problems, this has been changed but the problem is still there.

Essentially, there is a shuddering which seems to go from the drivers floorpan right through to the rear of the car. This appears to be more apparent when the car is between either 1000-2000 revs or it can be replicated at 80mph - dropping off the accelerator and then immediately re-applying. It is basically there all the time but to different degrees. Sometimes, quite a bad vibration noice comes from the nearside rear.

I have had it in the garage many times, more recently on Monday - a specialist checked everything under the vehicle as he suspected a worn gearbox mounting. He could not find any problems at all.

I don't really know what to do next - the mechanic has heard the problem and agrees there is an issue but cannot identify the problem. The constant vibration under your feet is just getting annoying now, can anyone offer any suggestions? The car is a March 2003 S320CDI with 60K on the clock.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

 

[brandwooddixon]

I would have said to get the propshaft joints checked, in particular the large rubber doughnut shaped one, but I have recently read of a problem involving water contamination of the auto gearbox oil which can cause a similar symptoms.

 

[davidpmiller]

The mechanic said the propshaft joints were fine. I also had a gearbox specialist check the oil and all was well.

 

[panason1c]

I also had a gearbox specialist check the oil and all was well.

But was a 'glycol-test' carried out by the specialist? (this tests for small amounts of coolant mixed with the transmission oil due to failure of the combined engine radiator/atf cooler)).........or did the mechanic only check the atf level?

Glycol (engine coolant) in the atf can cause juddering/vibration symptoms.

 

[type49]

As above, glycol effects the torque convertor & causes vibrations. This is easiest to reproduce at speeds above 50mph with light throttle & uphill. Does this sound like your problem?

 

[television]

Yes this is going to be another Valeo problem they are coming in fast now, and how many off the web forums

 

[darrindwp]

Very sad indeed. What makes this this even worse is the MB Headoffice will not bend on their decisions in most cases. If the vehicle is just slightly old (in my case 5 years) they just throw it back in your face with some insulting offer of 25% payment towards a £5000 bill. Even though they know that the cause of the failure is due to a defective radiator which THEY (MB) fitted at the toime of assembly, they still refuse to 'do the right thing which in my opinion is to cover at least 80% of the total repair bill.

Good luck to you David. I sincerely hope you have better luck than I have had in getting MB to sort this out at their expense.

See my escapade ... http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=31680

I am absolutely disgusted with MB and I have been nothing but polite through ALL my communications with them.

 

[davidpmiller]

All sounds a bit depressing, I will check if a 'glycol-test' was carried out, however it sounds very unlikely as the symptoms described are very much like mine. So is it likely that the torque converter and radiator will need replacing? Is this the £5 cost?

 

[television]

All sounds a bit depressing, I will check if a 'glycol-test' was carried out, however it sounds very unlikely as the symptoms described are very much like mine. So is it likely that the torque converter and radiator will need replacing? Is this the £5 cost?

As said before this is the fault of the radiator manufacture, it would be interesting in a court case under the fit for the purpose intended law, or the reasonable quality laws.
MB could have notified owners just to change the rad before this happened but this would leave them wide open to claims.
I would just keep on to MB till they give some help