Transmission Fluid Everywhere.

[Ecologist]

I'm a little worried at what I have just seen under my 2002 (52) E320 CDI. My transmission slipped a little today on the way to work, then I lost drive altogether. Turned off and on; put into drive, nothing. Its like its in neutral. Abandoned it at the side of the road and got wifey to take me to work. S o my indy came to pick it up for me in the snow tonight. Looked under the car, there is red fluid coating the underside. all over the floor. Lets just say I'm a little worried, but then there are gearboxes on ebay for less than £200. Any thoughts on what might of happened? Obviously I'm going to find out from my indy, but I wouldn't mind a heads up. Its quiet scary. Beautiful car otherwise - except for the fuel leak from the high pressure pump!

I cant find another post that describes the same, massive leak. We tried to put more fluid in, just to get it on the trailer, but it came P**sing out under the car.

 

[television]

This may not be too bad,, there is a rubber gator on the interlocks that can spit. Mine went on my old 140 CL, I had to keep putting fluid in to get it to my indie in Southampton. they fitted it in an hour, and all was good and the car is driving just fine even today.

 

[Ecologist]

Wow. That sounds good. Please let it be that! I'll find out soon enough, just need to sleep easy. But yes, I thought with the amount that was coming out, somebody would recognise the tell tale signs. Its not like its dripping from any of the plugs like I have read in other threads. Fingers crossed.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Could be a transmission cooler pipe rusted through. Most common source of sudden large leaks ime.

 

[television]

There is no where else that can leak that bad, you will be OK

 

[Ecologist]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know soon as I do. Certainly put my mind at rest though.

 

[television]

Could be a transmission cooler pipe rusted through. Most common source of sudden large leaks ime.

True, thats another well known one,,,I forgot that one

 

[Ecologist]

So, my car has been examined, in daylight. And...there does not appear to be a leak on my gearbox. Fuel is flooding out of my high pressure pump, I mean really pouring out. So when we went to fetch my car the other night, and there was liquid pouring out of the underside of my car, and the gearbox wasn't working, one would logically surmise that it was the gearbox. So we put oil in and started it up. Each time it worked a little, then, no drive, so we presumed. Anyway, the pump has gone off to be refurbished by a specialist. A dip stick is on order. Bit of a shambles, have to wait for pump to come back (two days) so we can find out whats the crack with the gearbox. Do you think the massive amounts of fuel flooding out all over the place could have anything to do with it? I know its all speculation until I speak to with my indy again in a couple of days. It must be something to do with it as the gearbox problem coincides with the pump leak going from a slow drip to a gush.

 

[television]

All I can add is that if the fuel leak is that bad, then the engine power might be very low, and the gearbox may not know what to do.

 

[Ecologist]

No it was driving fine. The gearbox started slipping, then it lost drive. Then after a few off and ons, it wouldn't move into D or R (you know when there is a slight creak and you feel it select, there was just nothing). You could rev it as much as you liked. With the bonnet up however, there was a very strong fuel smell. (turns out that was because it was flooding out). Maybe it is two completely separate problems, just too much of a coincidence.

 

[television]

Have you checked the fluid level in the box

 

[Ecologist]

My indy has a dip stick on the way, as now we may have put to much tranny oil in, as we were putting oil in the other night at the road side (while what turns out to be fuel was flooding out underneath everytime we started it!). But its gonna want draining and re filling anyway I presume. But, he says he has to wait for the pump to come back, to get the engine up to temp before testing the level...so thats Wednesday. I was going to get the pump fixed in the next few weeks anyway...baaa

 

[Ecologist]

So a quick update: Got fuel pump back after being refurbished. Got car up and running, up to temperature. Too much oil in gearbox and it still doesn't work either. Drained it out. No swarf or metallic bits, no leaks in gearbox, but the gearbox filter is a bit dirty apparently. Got a new filter on order. So it'll be Wednesday now before that arrives. I hope that'll make a difference, but I have a sneaky suspicion its the start of something bigger...I'm beginning to think Mercedes are not my favourite marque anymore.

 

[Ecologist]

So fixing the fuel pump, changing tranny fluid and filter - its back running. Don't know how confident I'm gonna be with this gearbox though...

 

[Corned]

Looked under the car, there is red fluid coating the underside. all over the floor.

Fuel is flooding out of my high pressure pump, I mean really pouring out. So when we went to fetch my car the other night, and there was liquid pouring out of the underside of my car, and the gearbox wasn't working, one would logically surmise that it was the gearbox.

Good job you didn't call H.M. Revenue & Customs for breakdown assistance then!!!! Just sayin'... :wink:

 

[Ecologist]

Haha. Nice one. No, it was dark, 830 at night or something. I really just wanted to point out that I knew what colour tranny fluid was. In reality it was fuel. It just seemed logical at the time. Gearbox was having a meltdown and there was fluid gushing out. Pretty sure it was sleeting too, and getting on ones knees and reaching under to finger the juices was somehow avoided.

What bothers me now however is; reading other peoples posts about gearboxes, they usually fix something, only for it to last several days before having it back in for service, before finally finding the real cause.

 

[television]

But is the car driving OK, and changing gear as normal.

 

[Ecologist]

She appears fine yes on the short journey home. I'll keep you updated. I'll take her out for a decent run in the local area, see what happens. She is a decent example otherwise.

 

[television]

She appears fine yes on the short journey home. I'll keep you updated. I'll take her out for a decent run in the local area, see what happens. She is a decent example otherwise.

Thats more good news then

 

[Corned]

Your limp mode-like symptoms were probably a result of a fuel rail pressure warning being acted upon by the various control units.