W211 E320 CDI Torque Converter issues

[AnthUK]

My 2003 E320 is juddering like hell and after reading various posts on this forum and many other forums I have decided to change torque converter and fluid. Radiator is Behr item therefore unsure if I have glycol problem or not. Juddering gets worse the hotter the weather or after any hard driving. My gut feeling is that fluid is breaking down under heat. Car has 140k on it and not sure if fluid ever changed. Located a torque converter off 56 plate car which I presume will be 7gTronic. Will this be compatible? If not does anyone know where I can get a recon torque from? Will fluid change alone make much difference?

 

[Cole@MBS]

Cant see the converter from a 7g box is the same as a 7226 box!!!

 

[AnthUK]

Thought not. Does fluid change make much difference? Car drives pretty good for first few miles on morning then gets progressively worse! Just do not really want to waste money on fluid if full t/c change is needed.

 

[television]

If you have the 7G box, then get it adapted to the latest update, if it is the 722.6 box have the lock up clutch de activated and re set on STAR

 

[Cole@MBS]

Really do sound like you have the coolant in the gearbox fuild fault, only a oil test will confirm!!

 

[television]

Really do sound like you have the coolant in the gearbox fuild fault, only a oil test will confirm!!

I agree, how long have you had the car, and has it always done it

 

[AnthUK]

Had car 18 months and it started about 14 months ago. Was the 'droning' sound to start with but as car does LOTS of miles it has steadily got worse. As car drives fine from cold I am inclined to think t/c is serviceable. If fluid has never been changed I am hoping that could be problem.

 

[television]

The car could have had valeo rad and this has been changed along with the fluid, but it depends on who did the job as it may not have been flushed including the cooler.

Have the fluid changed again and get the lock up clutches re set.

The glycol raised the faces of the clutches in the converter, and this is what causes the hard changes. have the lock up de activated and re adapted on STAR then the changes will not be so hard

 

[AnthUK]

Is that a dealer job or do indys have Star equipment?

 

[television]

Is that a dealer job or do indys have Star equipment?

Indies have STAR where are you in the UK

 

[AnthUK]

Sunderland

 

[AnthUK]

Anyone know decent Indie in North East England who has S.T.A.R equipment?

 

[television]

There is one where you are but time is short for 2 days, I will find it if no one else post back

 

[John472]

Your juddering does sound very much like a dying convertor. Changing the oil probably is a waste of money. If you are able to change this yourself, I would recommend taking the old convertor out and get a like for like replacement.

My car is has a similar mileage to yours but is a couple of years older. My local dealer told me that it was 'expecting a miracle to run these cars past this sort of mileage. I told them that these cars are 'supposed to' run for much longer than the average mass produced car.

My transmission only made it to 140K when it had to be rebuilt. (not my MB) and it now as good as new. If you are not an auto gearbox specialist I do not recommend 'having a go'. Removing a convertor is not a job for the faint hearted.

 

[AnthUK]

Yeah prob get car checked by Indie on STAR and take it from there. Car has juddered on and off for about 50k so convertor prob damaged now anyway. Have heard of an Indie in Dunston, Gateshead. Anyone know details and if any good?

 

[television]

I have sent you some information that explains it all

 

[AnthUK]

Thanks Malcolm. Does not appear to have come through yet. Not in messages? Can you resend please.
Thanks
Anth

 

[television]

Some info sent

 

[EPS]

Malcolm, can you please send me this info as well. I have a 2006 E320 CDI and it is making the juddering/droning noise as well. Car only has 65,000 miles on it so far.

Thanks,
EPS