W211 E220 CDI 52 plate gearbox issues...

[Mounis]

Hi all, hope you are well - I have a little dilema and need some advice -

I have an E220cdi W211 on a 52 plate - 178000 miles

The problem is as follows - now I know there has been much discussion on this before reg radiator/torque conv/gearbox and my verdict is that the torque converter is on its way out due to the high mileage but I could be wrong....

Symptoms are:-

When cold, car drives fine, gutsy and smooth maybe a little "tight" wrt to pedal action and motion of the car - u lift off the pedal and it will hold back immediately and when u accelerate normally it will move accordingly. When warm or under load - ie carrying passengers or uphill it will almost behave as if its a manual with a clutch that is slipping - but only under extra power demand...

On the motorway you can just see the rev needle wobble a little amount, again when asking for more from the engine...

Now it is a high mileage 178K and I'm thinking maybe it needs an atf change etc...Or a new torque converter?

Incidentally I've checked and it does have a Behr oil cooler as a separate unit sitting infront of the rad...so maybe its already been through the system and had some work done before??

Any thoughts???

Cheers!

 

[brandwooddixon]

As it has a seperate oil cooler I would think that it is probable that it may have suffered a glycol problem in the past. Clamber underneath and look to see if the oil cooler entry points in the bottom of the radiator have been blanked off (typical fix to save the cost of a new rad).

An oil change wouldn't go amiss. I know that there is some confusion regarding as and when with MB boxes, but with that mileage its worth a try.

Some vehicles get a once only change at 40k miles, others dealers insist on changes every 30-40k miles.

It is possible that the box is merely low on oil or that the oil is tired.

How long have you owned the vehicle?

 

[Mounis]

Cheers Chris for your comments - will have a look under the rad as per your suggestion - I have only just bought it but have known the owner of the car for the last three years - one of my work buddies....

In the last three years it hasn't suffered any gearbox issues nor had any work done - which is why I was wondering whether the slip was caused by the coolant issues which are commonly reported... ?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Glycol issues affect the torque converter, resulting in a judder not dissimilar to driving over a cattle grid. This usually occurs at lower engine rpm 2000-3000, and as throttle is gently applied, for instance to maintain speed up a gradient. What you are describing sounds more like slipping clutch packs within the gearbox to me, but I am not an auto-trans specialist. I would suggest having the sump removed and have a look at the deposits in the bottom.

 

[Steve Taxi]

If you can describe what you are getting as a judder on acceleration then I had this at 80k miles, I changed the ATF and filter and the problem was cured, now at 120k miles, you can only get about 4Ltrs out at a time so I changed it again after a week.

 

[roofless]

its possable that the clutch drive plates in a auto box its like a motorbike clutch & has a few clutch disks that use say one side for say first gear & the other side for a other gear its normal for top gear to go first & the other side to be reverse gear to test try a steep hill stop half way down & and try to reverse back up if the revs go up its the drive clutch that gone sadly rebuild or replace so hope am wrong

 

[Mounis]

Cheers guys - thanks so much for advice!! havent had a chance to check yet - been poorly :-( Hope its a cheap fix!!

 

[BlackC55]

Get the ATF level checked first.

Then get the ATF replaced. It is possible to flush the system too.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Atf

If you have the 5 speed auto it was originally sealed for life, later amended to change at about 100k kilometers/60k miles. Main dealer would know this, worth checking out if it was done. The rad issues as far as I recal affect Valeo rads, you need to check this as the damage can be terminal for the auto transmission. Rad is not difficult to replace.

 

[Mounis]

Too much ATF

Ok, finally actually been able to get some quotes and thoughts from some indy experts...

Have been told:

1) Torque converter is gone
2) Clutches in auto box gone


Did actually witness a non merc specialist check atf level - on his dipstic level was way too high...

He started the engine, dropped the car into drive, then neutral and then checked the level with the approved merc dipstick....

Am confused more now...

 

[Mounis]

Ok...Some progress...

Hi guys,

Just an update - dropped the sump thinking to investigate and replace filter and atf as this is the lesser of all evils...did get my guy who can do basic services/brakes etc (by no means a merc specialist) to check atf level (he had the correct dipstick, surprisingly!) and it showed too much atf in the gearbox...

On removal sump looked immaculate inside - no metal filings at all, even on the magnet!! the oil was a horrid swamp water colour - greeny/browny...

The filter element was discoloured but again no metal filings...

Did take the advice of my main dealer service guy (very helpful chap at Hughes of Beaconsfield) and check the electrical plug connector into the gearbox...As i unscrewed and pulled it out, out plopped a dollop of oil...Am sure thats not mean to happen... Any thoughts?

So after much cleaning/degreasing the new filter/gasket/sump plug went on and 4 litres of atf (fresh red colour) went in.

The car has improved so so so much its almost as good as new... however after maybe 50 miles, 40 along the M40 motorway and 10 on local roads in London I detected a little vibration but def no slipping like before...

My conculsion is that there was perhaps tired or inferior atf (previous oil change done by indy who may have used generic atf) or perhaps too much oil when at temperature expanding and causing issues... Any thoughts???

The next step is to drain and refresh the oil but I am interested as to how to flush all contaminated/inferior atf out of the system...Although I am loath to do it, I will drop the gearbox if need be to flush all old atf out but obviously would like to get it done without the hassle...

And whats the total capacity?

Your thoughts would be appreciated!

Cheers guys! (and gals?)

Mounis

 

[jberks]

Did take the advice of my main dealer service guy (very helpful chap at Hughes of Beaconsfield) and check the electrical plug connector into the gearbox...As i unscrewed and pulled it out, out plopped a dollop of oil...Am sure thats not mean to happen... Any thoughts?

You need to replace the seal on the connector. Very common issue but not a big job and £15 for the bit allegedly. Also check for oil contamination in the gearbox ECU as oil works its way up the cabling. Not fatal (ATF isn't conductive apparently) but they can sometimes do with a clean.

 

[liamhamid]

e270 cdi 52plate.

hi am new to this so hello everyone.
im having so many problems with my car am starting to hate it, just wondering iv anyone has had a gearbox go on a eclass of ther own. i could do with sum help,
thanks

 

[liamhamid]

please help

 

[television]

please help

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