Hayezb

Whats up guys? Let me start off by saying I'm not car savy really, and dont try to be. But I'm having some issues with my 2002 C320 and hope you guys can help.

First issue...when I start braking and come to a slow stop I can feel my left front tire skipping and some bad vibration. I can feel it mainly in the brake pedal (if thats possible) and in the steering wheel.

Second issue...my transmission is not shifting gears that smooth all the time. Most of the time, I never notice anything, but at times it jerks when shifting gears. Its really bad in the morning when I first start my car.

Third issue...I've noticed that when I accelerate pretty hard, my car doesnt seem to have as much torque at times. I can really tell when I try to get on the interstate, sometimes I "floor" it and I'm impressed with the acceleration, then other times it just creeps.

I just had an oil change, filter, blah blah blah... The spark plugs were replaced about 4-5 months ago and tires about 3-4 months.

Any ideas?

Thanks guys!

PA_Pete

For your first issue, I would have to guess that it may be a warped brake rotor. Do you only feel it when you are braking? I'm not sure what you mean by "left front tire skipping".

Second issue, sounds like the Glycol contamination issue. You can perform a search in the W203 section and see what I'm talking about. It's in regards to a particular radiator that came with our cars which malfunctioned prematurely and let coolant seep into the transmission cooling lines that run through the radiator. I have one of these radiators (Valeo) and am switching it out just in case. I think your third issue may also stem from this problem as well.

spyderpig

1) That sounds like the control arm needs to be replaced or it could just be an alignment issue.

2)Not sure about here but it could be an electronic adjustment issue. Get it diagnose, check the torque converter.Assuming the tranny fluide has been changed at about 60k miles. (current milage?)

3) That could be anything even the use of cheap gas that clogged the injectors, use techron.

Wait for expert in M112 to chime in.

spyderpig

Oh, didn't see the post #2. Forgot about the glycol contamination that has been discussed. Good catch.

Glyn M Ruck

Pete,
This might sound like a dumb question but this Glycol issue is unheard of in South Africa. How do you know if you have a Valeo radiator???. I've looked at mine and see no identification at all that's obvious. Is it all in the part number/VIN number? Maybe SA built cars never had Valeo radiators???

Your help with this would be appreciated. I'm not having any problems - but like you don't want to have any either.

dmatre

Try here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/2254029-post59.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ase-chime.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...do-i-look.html
pics: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html

I've never checked myself. During the 75k service, I asked the mechanic to check it and let me know, and he advised that I didn't have the Valeo.

PA_Pete

Well Glyn, it appears dmatre beat me to the punch! He basically listed everything you need to know on identifying your radiator in those links he posted.

dmatre

Sorry. Right place, wrong time.

PA_Pete

It's all good, no need to apologize, you helped me and Glyn out!

Hayezb

Thank for the help guys. I've had my tires rotated with no help, I was told that it was most likely my rotor had warped. I noticed after a long trip to Mississippi so it very well could be.

And thanks for the suggestion with the tranny, I'm looking into that now!

dmatre

Considering that the Behr radiator is made in S.A., I doubt that MB would import the Valeo unit to an SA assembly plant. (You can be thankful for that)

Glyn M Ruck

Yes & France etc. My sticker must have fallen off. Thanks - Sigh of Relief

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - thanks to you all Now I'm trying to figure out how I botched up searching the forum for this info!!!!!!!!!!!!

My auto box is beautifully smooth - I did not want any damn glycol messing that up. I can just imagine what it does to the friction materials in the box - plus glycol barely manages to lubricate a water pump seal adequately.