Okay, got a problem. I'm typing this more as a checklist/planning guide for myself than anything.

I was driving along and I heard a flapping sound. I truly thought that it was another car. Then I start smelling a fluid and I'm seeing steam.

So, I quickly pulled off at the next exit to investigate. Seems, the serpentine belt the closest to the radiator frayed and was unraveling. During the unravel, The belt grabed a hydraulic line for the transmission and pulled it into the crank pulley and belt. So, I had high pressure transmission fluid spraying everywhere in my engine bay.

The good news is that it is only a mile from my warehouse, so I walked to work. The bad news is that this is on the border of Compton. If I try to fix it tonight (assuming I can get all the parts), I'm thinking it won't be too safe.

So, I could tow the car to my warehouse, and get a rental to drive around and get parts.

I'll give further details as I go. I figured that for now, I would order the parts, do a search for info on R&R on the board.

I know I need:
Hydraulic line from Tranny cooler at the radiator to the block/mount (I don't know where the lines terminate)

8.5 liters of tranny fluid

The red cap to close off the tranny fill spout

I should also get the tranny filter and new gasket since I'm going to be in that neighborhood



So here is what I am asking:

Who has the best price on genuine MBZ parts here in Los Angeles/South Bay?

Is there a special tool for pulling off the high pressure lines?

Do the high pressure lines need some type of gasket tape around the threads?


So follow along, I'll tell you how it goes!

E

PS, I had fluid spray onto my front brakes, because even though I was coasting as I exited the fwy, that car ONLY stopped because of the rear brakes. I could hear the fronts slipping. Yeah, on top of wondering what was going on, I had the thrill of making a stop.

 

Man...that sucks...sorry to hear...
But from what i understand you can get free towing from MB.
So you should get it towed either to your warehouse, or home...so point in working out in the street...

 

Well, here is the costs so far:

Tranny Transmission Dipstick : 140589 1521 00 Cost 100
Red Cap that needs replacement each time: 1409910055 Cost1.80
O-ring that seals red cap- 0229972248
tranny filter cost 17.60
Bottom pan Gasket is 1402710080 cost14.30
Fluid $14.00 per quart
Coolant lines from radiator to block $53.00 upper/$56.00 lower

I'm hoping to do better on costs, but we'll see.
Biggest problem is that the lines are not stocked. That will be about 3 days.

These prices were from MBZ of South Bay.

 

Best rate I could get on a tow that was for less than a mile was $55 cash. Good grief. I'm going to be into this for $400. There goes the savings for my header. I should have bought triple A.

Cant wait to show you guys pics. The engine bay is a MESS. Only good thing is that I get to detail the egine bay now.

E

 

I Have a Friend that is a MB tech in the South Bay and can do it after hours
PM me if Interested

 

I would take Mark up on that, you don't want to mess that up and lose a tranny. You can get discounted MB parts online from Duval Motors or OEM parts from AutohausAZ but it's going take a week to get and by the time you pay for overnight shipping you probably won't save enough.

BTW, MB will send a service vehicle to give you a boost or provide fuel or change a flat but they don't tow for free, they'll arrange a tow for you and you'll be billed. AAA is what I use, 7 miles free on their regular plan, 100 mile tow on their Plus plan.

 

Even out of warranty?

 

Even in warranty it's not free.

 

You really think I'll need the assistance? But if I do it is nice to know that there are resources out there. I haven't done as much with the car as you did, but I'm comfortable. I just got it to the warehouse, so I'll need to start getting things out of the way.

I'm hoping with just the air intake out I'll be able to get to the mounts for the coolant lines.

Do you know if I would need sometype of sealant on the threads for the pressure lines?

In any case, I'll know a whole lot more tonight.

I promise to put up the dirty pictures.

E

 

Okay, here is where I need technical assistance.

The tensioner for the forward most belt. This is the one with the threaded bolt sticking out. It is say a bit over to the right?

Answered this one by going to Buell's tech page on his website.

Next, the hose mount to the transmission cooler. This is the hose that mounts to the top of the transmission cooler. I got the Cotter Pin type fastner out, but how do you unhook the line?

Pics to come I promise.

E

 

hey i'm sorry to hear. wow recently alot of our members have been changing the Serpentine (VBelt!)

Btw, I'm not sure if this would help, I saw this product at a local autostore, that cleans the "engine bay" from oil leaks. maybe you should check that out.

 

Here is the frayed belt. I think the belt threads grabbed the transmission cooler line and put it into the pulley. A real mess of tranny fluid. I was thinking I was going to service my transmission fluid, but not like this.

When I say messy, I mean messy. There is tranny fluid over everything. I know that if I don't clean it well, it is going to smell as soon as the car gets up to temp.

When I get the hose off I will put out a pic of the actual rubber part of the transmission line. There is a part of the rubber that is a actually quite burned through.

E

 

This is what I need help in figuring out the removal.

This is the mount for the line that connects to the tranny cooler. It had some type of U shaped pin that I removed. Now there is a collar that has a bit of yellow paint on it. Now, that the color is loose, how does it come free?

Thanks in advance.

E

 

Wow...i guess i am mistaken. But i really thought the dealer said that any MB, no matter how old, comes with free towing. hmmmm....

 

Couple of gallons of gas, unlock and jumpstart are all free for the life of vehicle. Towing is extra, they call a 3rd party company to do that and they bill you for it.

 

From that picture it looks like it is bottom of the rad ? right ?
It is hard to tell without larger picture but if there was no hose clamp,
then it is just a quick release clamp you are talking about and hose should just be pulled out once clamp is removed.

 

Actually the pic was the top of the radiator looking down.

Hmm, it is looking like the connector for that radiator line requires a specialty tool for removal. I have checked quite a few websites for info on how to Remove the line, or what tool I need, but no luck.

So, I figured that I can put a piece of solid pipe in line to fill in the section with the hole. Complete the flush myself. Then take the car into a dealer to have the line replaced. Mikey mouse as all hell, but it will keep me from damaging the connection at the transmission cooler.

 

Hm weird I have never done such repair but I really doubt that it requires special tool to remove this hose. But I could be wrong.
It is not a high pressure line for sure those usually have bolt screwed in to the rad.
So you should be ok.
Or it does not come out because of rubber seal at the end

 

Wow. I had my belt shred like that.
Guess I was lucky.

How many miles on the belt.
I now have the same belt.

 

Funny, if I had a Contitech belt shread like that, would I get another Contitech belt? Hmmm, maybe not.

 

Actually, I was using a Goodyear Gatorback belt, and it is the one that shredded. I replaced the belt with another Gatorback. I trust the name. Pure and simple.

So, here is where I am at.

The part I ordered is not in. The wonderful and knowledgeable parts rep at House of Imports Buena Park knew next to NOTHING about how to use the diagrams of parts. Today, after waiting a bit, a tech came in, and quickly pulled up the right transmission cooler line that I need. So, It s a wait until tomorrow.

Rather than risk my ride being parked outside in Compton another night, I chose to insert a barbed brass fitting on the frayed part of oil cooler line that had a hole. Then I used clamps to keep the hose on the brass fitting. This will limp me the seven miles back home so I can park in my garage.

Then tomorrow, I pick up my correct trans cooler line and finish the repair.

The serpentine belt was a BREEZE to put in. Man, if you guys are paying the dealer to do belts for you, it is a waste of money.

I also did the trans flush. No one told me that the tool doesn't go all the way into the trans dipstick line. Personally, I thought it was a bit tough to get the right readings. But I'm happy with the fluid level. Because there is fluid in the torque convertor, I intend to do another flush in about 4k miles when I'm due for the service A. That should get all of the fluid in the tranny to be fresh.

Yes, I did find superficial metal particles in the pan. They come off the little magnet when you pick it up. Comparing the color of fluid from old to new....whew, lifetime fluid, my ***. I'm glad I did the flush. I'll report back about how the tranny feels with the fresh fluid.

So, I finish up tomorrow, I have no doubt it'll be an in and out type job.

I'll put up costs, etc.

E

 

Damn, that's crazy Ed! I hope everything is fixed and working now.