Slipping feeling when pulling hard

Smaltze

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My E320 w210 cdi.

Used to be a dream accelerating, when I really floored it would rev up easily and fly off.
Ever since one day of driving it hard and pulling, it's started to do this slipping type thing. It always happens at 2.5 to 3k revs when really flooring it. It feels like a slipping feeling, the revs get stuck. It sort of feels like a premature clunky gear change.
I can still really fly just it won't rev up instead it'll slip and then eventually change gear and carry on accelerating etc.
It can still Rev highly, for example accelerating slower up to high speed it can get up to 4-5k. Only does it when really pulling hard.
It's still very drivable just has this odd problem.

Is it the clutch?
I thought maybe torque converter but I thought that only engages over 50mph.
Someone tell me it isn't something expensive please :eek:
 

AstroGZ

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A good first start could be a gearbox filter and fluid change, a relatively inexpensive task. Service interval is about 30k iirc, has it been done recently?
 
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Smaltze

Smaltze

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Yes did it early this year. Perhaps I have the level wrong? Seems to be changing well when driving normally though
 

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I understand that the torque converter in these never locks completely and you will always get some slip - lessens as speed/revs rise.
If it has changed from what it was, you should get it checked by a specialist. Don't want to stuff up a nice expensive gearbox.
 
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Smaltze

Smaltze

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yeh, is the torque converter fluid linked to the transmission fluid? would it have something to do with me having changed it recently? i know slight lack of fluid in the converter can lead to it slipping.
 

Taffy7hfa

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Gearbox

Hi, Does the Tiptronic still work as normal ?
 

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yeh, is the torque converter fluid linked to the transmission fluid? would it have something to do with me having changed it recently? i know slight lack of fluid in the converter can lead to it slipping.

Last thing changed is first thing suspect!
On that basis, Check first that correct atf has been used.
Then recheck atf level in gearbox.
Gearbox hot and in Park, engine running, car on level ground.
Dip gearbox and read off level. Make sure it's near the top mark on dipstick.

Umble.
 

Botus

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you don't have a clutch in an auto (well not a conventional manual box type clutch, there ae lots of one like motorbikes have buried inside the box), instead they get a torque convertor and this is prssuried with oil from inside the auto box so yes its the same.

Oil types in autos are all different (between manu and even type on same manu), always use the right one.
If you have a gearbox dip stick off course check it !

other than that its NORMAL for merc to slip, ask any taxi driver they just carry on, 3rds the normal one to fail

Umble's advice is good starting point
 
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Smaltze

Smaltze

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i still havnt checked the atf level, but i im just wondering whether maybe its a turbo problem? perhaps the turbo is leaking under pressure, i assume its at full pressure around 2.5k revs + becuase thats where the power band is.

The car literally just almost allways wont rev over 2.5k, also i should mention it did just suddenly start happening one day on a drive home. was perfect until then.

What else might be causing this problem?
 

Craiglxviii

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So my understanding is the car has stopped revving over 2500? Or struggles to do so? And this happened suddenly and not over some significant time period...

Step 1- get it on STAR and see what the car is telling you. If you don't have the kit, invest in an iCarsoft i980 or MB2 reader (or alternative, there are some v good products around) which will read the car's fault codes. It's always best to know what the car thinks is wrong. Then you can go about diagnosing the root cause from the fault codes thrown up.

Always better to do that than go throwing parts and £££ at it...

A code reader for MB can be had for under £100.
 

om613

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Sadly, as I found out, there's no cheap-ish readers that work with this model.
The 210 isn't on the i980's menu.

I've heard that the older Carsoft 740 works but you need the software, a multiplexer and an ancient laptop with RS232 port and running XP OS...
 
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Smaltze

Smaltze

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So my understanding is the car has stopped revving over 2500? Or struggles to do so? And this happened suddenly and not over some significant time period...

Step 1- get it on STAR and see what the car is telling you. If you don't have the kit, invest in an iCarsoft i980 or MB2 reader (or alternative, there are some v good products around) which will read the car's fault codes. It's always best to know what the car thinks is wrong. Then you can go about diagnosing the root cause from the fault codes thrown up.

Always better to do that than go throwing parts and £££ at it...

A code reader for MB can be had for under £100.

Yes, it was completely fine to my memory, then one day driving home just started doing it and hasnt stopped since.
When pulling it simply wont go over ~2.5k. Often it will reach 2.5, pause for a moment and then upshift and do the same in the next gear. or it might just bounce off 2.5k in the same gear for a few seconds first.
I believe it still goes over 2.5 when going high speeds, 90+ where the revs go over that naturally, but not when under throttle.
 
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Smaltze

Smaltze

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Sadly, as I found out, there's no cheap-ish readers that work with this model.
The 210 isn't on the i980's menu.

I've heard that the older Carsoft 740 works but you need the software, a multiplexer and an ancient laptop with RS232 port and running XP OS...

Yes ive had no luck with any reader ive tried. how much is a normal STAR read?
 

Craiglxviii

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Sadly, as I found out, there's no cheap-ish readers that work with this model.
The 210 isn't on the i980's menu.

I've heard that the older Carsoft 740 works but you need the software, a multiplexer and an ancient laptop with RS232 port and running XP OS...

I had a 210 working on my i980 3 weeks ago when I went to look at it on sale, no duff. At least I think it was a 210. E320 CDi, 05 reg...? May have had SBC..?
 

Craiglxviii

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Yes ive had no luck with any reader ive tried. how much is a normal STAR read?

Say you'll get some change out of £50 and you won't be far wrong.
 

DSB SL AMG

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Nope, a 2005 E Class would have been a W211.

I had a 210 working on my i980 3 weeks ago when I went to look at it on sale, no duff. At least I think it was a 210. E320 CDi, 05 reg...? May have had SBC..?
 

Craiglxviii

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Ah there we go then, my mistake. That's two so far, my half yearly quota gone!!!
 

c-class

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It might not solve your problem but were you using the kickdown button before and are you using it now when accelerating hard? The reason I'm asking is that on my friends w211 320 when accelerating without the kickdown button it is the same scenario as you describe, revs stop at around 2500-3000 and then upshifts. When using the button it really flies and revs go all the way up. So my guess is does the button still work?
 

om613

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Yes ive had no luck with any reader ive tried. how much is a normal STAR read?

Steve @ Avantgarde's website indicated about £40, but I can't remember exactly.
MB would be at least double.
 

Steve@Avantgarde

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A STAR test is not diagnosis.....it merely tells you the fault code. However its the best place to start. Most indies will charge about £30 for the test. To be honest, it shouldn't be that hard and an hours labour (possibly sooner) of a good indie should have the fault diagnosed and an idea of what needs to be done to be fixed.

The OPs description to me isnt massively clear whether its a engine or gearbox issue!
 
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