No reverse - transmission problem

[mbnz]

My car all of a sudden doesn't want to go into reverse. That is what I found out after driving it for an hour. And 1/2 hour later, started it up and it wouldn't go into reverse. I noticed that when I first start it up it goes into reverse no problem. But if I drive for say 20 minutes, it won't go into reverse unless I rev it up to about 1500K. The rest of the transmission is fine. It shift good and smoothly. I got about 240K. I always did the transmission fluid changes on time. SO I went to a transmission shop, and they said maybe the seal. They say you have to open it up, and while you do that you should do a complete overhaul and change the torque converter. The cost $2700 !!! And if it need other parts, like gears then extra. So any recommendations. As funds are tight now, I would rather just fix the reverse problem. I just don't think it is worth paying $3000+ for a complete overhaul. What should a reverse fix only problem cost? How many hours - I assume it is just a seal or piston that has gone bad. Any suggestions? Anyone know a good transmission shop in Greater Vancouver that will do it for a good price? thanks.

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[190E 16V]

Originally Posted by mbnz

My car all of a sudden doesn't want to go into reverse. That is what I found out after driving it for an hour. And 1/2 hour later, started it up and it wouldn't go into reverse.

I noticed that when I first start it up it goes into reverse no problem. But if I drive for say 20 minutes, it won't go into reverse unless I rev it up to about 1500K.

The rest of the transmission is fine. It shift good and smoothly. I got about 240K. I always did the transmission fluid changes on time.

SO I went to a transmission shop, and they said maybe the seal. They say you have to open it up, and while you do that you should do a complete overhaul and change the torque converter. The cost $2700 !!! And if it need other parts, like gears then extra.

So any recommendations. As funds are tight now, I would rather just fix the reverse problem. I just don't think it is worth paying $3000+ for a complete overhaul.

What should a reverse fix only problem cost? How many hours - I assume it is just a seal or piston that has gone bad.

Any suggestions? Anyone know a good transmission shop in Greater Vancouver that will do it for a good price?

thanks.

The tranny in my car has a failing reverse - all the rest is great. My MB mechanic, Bernie at MB Euromotors (604-874-0744), says he has guy who does an excellent job at rebuilding these trannys. Approx cost: $2500 - not sure if that includes the re & re.
Apparently, it is not possible/very unadvisable, to just repair Reverse. Better to rebuild entirely. I have heard this from several sources.

Whatever you do, don't buy a dealer MB Rebuilt tranny.
I think you should stay with an MB specialist. However, you could try Bert's on Kingsway, if they are still there.
Do NOT go to Alltrans on Kingsway. I went there a few years ago and the guy was a classic ripoff artist - absolutely disgraceful, no conscience, no ethics.

Good luck NZ

[Pottering]

Let me know what transmission you have, ie 722.369, and I have a document that gives removal and installation times plus overhaul times. On average it's about 7 hours for R&I and 12 hours for overhaul, so use that to get started on an approximate cost.

[ps2cho]

These transmissions rarely have any mechanical problems. The only wear items are the friction disks and seals. If you are up for a tranny removal yourself, there is a recent thread I made over @ peachparts if you search my name.

Its about a 2-4hour job based on experience for removal and about the same time to put it back in. Not difficult, just awkward it seems. I gotta pull mine to do the front pump seal that is leaking.

[mbnz]

I'm not sure what transmission I got 722.xxxx

I have an automatic, 1990 300E 3.0L 2WD

It is re-assuring to know that the transmissions rarely fail. I think it is just the one thing that needs to be replaced. Probably just the seal. I'm going to look for a place that knows MBs and will do it for under $800-900 tops.

I'm not sure if I have a 722.3-722.4 tranny or not,
but this link shows the common causes of reverse problems for these transmissions.

http://europeantransmissions.com/Bul...erctechlib.htm (click on 722.3 slipping or no reverse)


thanks guys, ps2cho I'll look at your posts, but that repair is way beyond my mechanical abilities.

[Pottering]

[QUOTE=mbnz;3817522]I'm not sure what transmission I got 722.xxxx

I have an automatic, 1990 300E 3.0L 2WD/QUOTE]

Use the Russian Vin decoder to see what version of transmission you have.

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

[mbnz]

From MB dealer: I got 722.358 xx xxxxxx

Exact same number from Russian site. That is a good resource !!!

[Bigpete123]

I'm no mechanic, but over the years I've seen many posts just like this: reverse stops working first. It happened to me as well.

I called many shops and they all told me the same thing your mechanic did. I know money is tight, but you really need to think about how much longer you want to drive the car. If you want to keep it for a while, at your mileage, you probably need a full rebuild.

[mbnz]

Sorry, I didn't make my mileage on my car clear. I forgot some of us are thinking miles and others kilometres.

My car
1990 300E (3.0L) transmission is 722.358

Mileage is 155,000 Miles (about 248,000 kms). So in my earlier post I put 240K (that is km) - sorry I should've been more clear.

So there is a big difference between 240,000 Miles vs 240,000 Kilometres.

That being said, what is the typical mileage the transmission on this car goes? (specify km or miles) - I'm talking about gear slipping etc, problems requiring a full rebuilt (assuming regular maintenace is done)?

[Pottering]

Should be 6.9 hours removal and installation of transmission from vehicle
chassis and 12.3 hours bench overhaul time for transmission.

http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/tr...umbers124.html

http://northridge-california.olx.com...58-iid-3378203

http://www.mercedesnewparts.com/Rend...@@300e&mode=PA

[Bigpete123]

My tranny went out at 185k miles or so, with the same symptoms as yours.

[mbnz]

Originally Posted by Bigpete123

My tranny went out at 185k miles or so, with the same symptoms as yours.

Bigpete, did you mean just the reverse went out or the whole tranny?

[CharlestonN]

my reverse went out at around 217k miles I am now at just under 150k miles

I was. quoted $2200 for complete rebuild and $1100 for just the reverse, the comlete rebuild comes with a 100k mile warranty

[mbnz]

Originally Posted by CharlestonN

my reverse went out at around 217k miles I am now at just under 150k miles

I was. quoted $2200 for complete rebuild and $1100 for just the reverse, the comlete rebuild comes with a 100k mile warranty

Did you mean you are just under 250K miles now?

So I take it you haven't got it done yet?

100K mile warranty is unreal, I never heard anyone hear in Vancouver offering anything like that. MB won't even, they only offer 2 years warranty - not sure if there is a mileage limit too.

[CharlestonN]

No, i haven't had it done yet, i am going to buy a 04/05 SL55 around the beginning of the year so i will most likely garage my W124 and slowly restore it, i already ordered my new wheels for it, they should be here thursday

Anyway, i just try not to park in any spot that is not angled down or at least level until i have it fixed

As long as the car is fairly cool the reverse works well enough

[Bigpete123]

Originally Posted by mbnz

Bigpete, did you mean just the reverse went out or the whole tranny?

Just the reverse went out. I never let it get to the point where the whole thing was shot.

My advice is just based on what multiple shops told me independently... I was told that a bad reverse is the first symptom of the whole thing needing a rebuild. They told me it'd be nearly the same amount of labor to fix the reverse vs a full rebuild. They said at my mileage, I could have them pull the tranny, fix the reverse, and have the rest of the tranny go 10-20k miles later.

So I guess it's just up to you do to decide whether you want to take that risk... Just doing the reverse now may save you $500 in the short term, but if they have to take the whole tranny out to do a full rebuild a short time later, the first "half rebuild" is money down the drain.

[mbnz]

Originally Posted by Bigpete123

Just the reverse went out. I never let it get to the point where the whole thing was shot.

My advice is just based on what multiple shops told me independently... I was told that a bad reverse is the first symptom of the whole thing needing a rebuild. They told me it'd be nearly the same amount of labor to fix the reverse vs a full rebuild. They said at my mileage, I could have them pull the tranny, fix the reverse, and have the rest of the tranny go 10-20k miles later.

So I guess it's just up to you do to decide whether you want to take that risk... Just doing the reverse now may save you $500 in the short term, but if they have to take the whole tranny out to do a full rebuild a short time later, the first "half rebuild" is money down the drain.

You are right, they opened up my tranny and the rest of it is showing signs of it failing. It will be only a matter of time before it goes.

You are right, it makes sense to do a full rebuild if you are keeping the car, which I am planning to do.

I am getting the overhaul done.

[hchau5]

I have the same problem. No reverse and found it out the transmission was bad. I drive a 1993 MB 400E. My friend has a 300e and had the same problem and got it fixed. He recommended me a website where he got his transmission. I bought it rebuilt and sent them my old one for under 1300. Still driving today after 5 years of fixing it. Also, the company offers some sort of warranty. Here's the website, http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1645 GOODLUCK!

[mbnz]

Originally Posted by hchau5

I have the same problem. No reverse and found it out the transmission was bad. I drive a 1993 MB 400E. My friend has a 300e and had the same problem and got it fixed. He recommended me a website where he got his transmission. I bought it rebuilt and sent them my old one for under 1300. Still driving today after 5 years of fixing it. Also, the company offers some sort of warranty. Here's the website, http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1645 GOODLUCK!

That looks like a good source.

As some of the other gears were showing wear too, I got mine fully rebuilt. The cost was $1900. If you are going to keep the car, it makes sense to do the full rebuild.

[GORBETTTEAM]

guys... my transmission just did the same thing as all of you described but since I knew about it before... I didn't freak out... but instead I open my wallet and thinking about my (economical) options.

I think i'll trade my.... for a Honda

[Cartagena]

I just bought a 1990 300E black on black (just had to have it) but it has no reverse gear. I just finished reading all the posts and will have to hope that a 300E shows up at a scrap yard. Thanks for all the great posts.

[funkgab]

where are you located cartegena?

[RHW]

BEWARE of that link to www.adsitco.com many many many problems, do a search, but don't use them.

On my 92 300e, reverse started slipping. My mechanic told me $800 to fix reverse seal only, and the rest of the tranny is often good for a long long time. Car had no further issues for 3 years and ... was sold to a friend in November who has had no issues.

Same mechanic replaced upper wire harness, but, said lower harness is comprised of a small amount of wire affected under the hood (heat) and he replaced ONLY the wires affected by heat - did not replace the elements of that harness that are not near engine. Cost $100 for lower harness solution. Too recent to say whether it was a good solution, time will tell.

I do not wrench, but, he was an MB mechanic when these cars were sold, and both solutions appeared to save costs without causing trouble.

[ZaxW126]

Over the years, I have repaired a number of these transmissions for this issue. It is usually a bad seal on the reverse apply piston, which causes a soft engagement of reverse, then slippage of reverse, and then subsequent rapid wear of the clutch plates. I just acquired a 1995 E320 6 weeks ago with this problem, and fixed it for a song. Being a tech, I didn't have to pay for labor, just parts. I usually get about 10 hours labor to fix reverse, reseal the front pump, and some of the other more common external leaks. I also check the clutch plates in the K-1 drum for wear while I'm at it. They are usually O.K.. --Zach

[Ngarover]

Originally Posted by ZaxW126

Over the years, I have repaired a number of these transmissions for this issue. It is usually a bad seal on the reverse apply piston, which causes a soft engagement of reverse, then slippage of reverse, and then subsequent rapid wear of the clutch plates. I just acquired a 1995 E320 6 weeks ago with this problem, and fixed it for a song. Being a tech, I didn't have to pay for labor, just parts. I usually get about 10 hours labor to fix reverse, reseal the front pump, and some of the other more common external leaks. I also check the clutch plates in the K-1 drum for wear while I'm at it. They are usually O.K.. --Zach

As I just bought a 94 e320 with this issue yesterday, I'll hit you up for help if your willing.