W204 5th gear problem

[Koks18]

Hi,

I've been having this issue for the past couple of months and still didn't manage to fix it

It's a 2009 C class with 6 speed manual transmission.

Basically, 5th gear grinds once the car has been driven for about 10 minutes. It also grinds in idle if I rev the engine to about 3000 RPM and don't let it calm down - and it happens EVERY time, no matter if it's cold or warm. While driving, it grinds while downshifting more often than upshifting.

I've changed the oil 3 times, changed the syncro, the teeth and it's still there.

The mechanic said the clutch and flywheel are pretty bad and need a change but I doubt the issue lays in that or am I wrong?

Please help me, I'm losing my nerves. Thanks in advance.

 

[matthew k]

It would seem possible that a worn flywheel and/or clutch could cause drag. If you double declutch is the change smooth?

 

[ajlsl600]

Have you looked at the selector and or any spacers thrust washers ref 5th gear ? Maybe wear there is preventing the indent for 5th gear locking in properly,or a bearing collapse supporting 5th gear. Also see whats appearing in yr g box oil.
I doubt clutch flywheel if only effecting 5th
I think its a box out and a good interview..

 

[Koks18]

It would seem possible that a worn flywheel and/or clutch could cause drag. If you double declutch is the change smooth?

Even though I spent money on the syncro etc. I hoped the clutch & flywheel would do the trick but a few people told me it can't be that because it happens in 5th only. I still do hope, though! Will try to double clutch.

Have you looked at the selector and or any spacers thrust washers ref 5th gear ? Maybe wear there is preventing the indend for 5th gear locking in properly,or a bearing collapse supporting 5th gear. Also see whats appearing in yr g box oil.
I doubt clutch flywheel if only effecting 5th
I think its a box out and a good interview..

My car was at the shop for two and a half weeks when I was replacing the syncro - the mechanic said nothing else but that the 5th gear teeth need replacing so I went for it and replacedbthat aswell and that the clutch & flywheel are next in line to be replaced, however I also couldn't connect those two to the issue because it happens in 5th. The car does jerk in 2nd and 5th, though.

 

[ajlsl600]

OK. Let us know how that turns out. You didn't mention 2nd gear before..

 

[Koks18]

OK. Let us know how that turns out. You didn't mention 2nd gear before..

I didn't because it doesn't grind, the car just jerks sometimes and that is the clutch.

 

[ajlsl600]

Most likely but its not in all gears ? Is that a cable or hydraulic clutch

 

[Koks18]

I've noticed jerking in 1st to 2nd and 4th to 5th. I honestly don't know which type it is. It's a 2009 C200 Blue Efficiency.

 

[matthew k]

I'd be checking for clutch drag at this point.

 

[Koks18]

I'd be checking for clutch drag at this point.

Tried testing it a few moments ago, nothing seems wrong.

 

[joderest]

It would seem the gearbox would have to come out to fix, so would make sense to do clutch at same time, if flywheel scored and not too bad you could have it re faced, new pressure plate and clutch plate. A bad clutch will cause selection issues as will not disengage completely causing drag.

 

[joderest]

also, you do not say how many miles car has done, and has it had a clutch before.

 

[Koks18]

It has 220 000 kms (136k miles) and the clutch hasn't been replaced yet. I know it needs to be done, however I'm afraid it's something else since it grinds in 5th only.

It's not cheap and I'm afraid the problem is going to stay after replacement and I've already replaced the syncro. Either way, it needs a fix ASAP before something worse happens.

 

[matthew k]

I had a 2008 C220d manual with over 200,000 miles on it, ex owner driver airport taxi. The box felt good still, or do you think it was probably on it's second?

 

[Koks18]

I had a 2008 C220d manual with over 200,000 miles on it, ex owner driver airport taxi. The box felt good still, or do you think it was probably on it's second?

What do you mean on it's second? Clutch? I honestly don't know. Dad owns a W203 with similar mileage and it runs like a champ.

 

[matthew k]

What do you mean on it's second? Clutch? I honestly don't know. Dad owns a W203 with similar mileage and it runs like a champ.

No I mean the gearbox.

 

[LostKiwi]

Didn't you also say "It also grinds in idle if I rev the engine to about 3000 RPM and don't let it calm down"?
That being so suggests the issue isn't the gearbox (assuming by idle you mean neutral).

 

[Koks18]

Didn't you also say "It also grinds in idle if I rev the engine to about 3000 RPM and don't let it calm down"?
That being so suggests the issue isn't the gearbox (assuming by idle you mean neutral).

Not driving is what I meant - staying in place, reving the engine to about 3k RPM and then shifting to 5th.

 

[LostKiwi]

Sounds like your synchromesh on fifth is not right and you have clutch drag.

 

[Koks18]

Sounds like your synchromesh on fifth is not right and you have clutch drag.

The synchro has been replaced, though. Brand new. The only thing left is the clutch, I suppose...