XXXW203

Hi Everybody:
Recently changed the automatic transmission fluid on my w203 220 CDI, 2005, and now i am having some issues. When i startup the engine it runs fine on P and N. but when i change to R and D car dies and shut off. I should wait 15 min until the car gets warmer or i should press the brake pedal very hard when i change from P or N to R and D for the car not to shut off and drive it.
I checked the fluid level at the dealer, and we added around two litter because it was missing , car worked ok for 10 days and now seems repeating the issue again , car dies on R and D while in N and P runs perfectly!
Any clue what might the issue be?
Might it be transmission leak ? or any other issue? i don't see signs of leaking on the ground when i leave the car overnight parked !
Please help me

Russell Ormerod

Loss of oil cannot cause this. Did you remove the sump? Explain exactly what you did when changing the oil! Are you using the correct MB oil

XXXW203

So ....transmission oil entered in coolant , i had radiator changed , flushed the old atf , and filled with new one, also filter was changed as well. Car was ok for 10 days and then this problem showed up. I sent the car to mechanic and he told me that fluid is not in correct level, and he changed the fluid(to be on safe side according to him) and the filter again. Car was fine for 7-10 other days and they problem appeared again. So... this problems occurs only when i leave the car overnight and i start it in the morning. Once the car is warmed i can use it without problems all day along. Also the car shifts the gears correctly not any issue when driving. It only stalls in R and D , meanwhile in P,N it works perfectly
First time i used dextron III, second time.we used orginal mb oil suitable for w203
sump is not changed as far as i know

Russell Ormerod

Well changing the oil and changing the oil because of water in the gearbox is a big difference. Problem can be in the valve body. Remove it. Strip and clean it. Also water could have got into the torque converter and the lockup clutches.

XXXW203

can the water be drained from torque coverter and the lockup clutches ? If yes , can this be done without removing torque converter?

Russell Ormerod

You can try removing the hose at the radiator then run the car and pump the oil out that way. Flush it with 5 litres of clean oil.
worth a try

slammer111

Just to make sure I understand properly. Is coolant mixing in your transmission? These things obviously should never touch each other if your car is functioning properly.

The car has a transmission fluid cooler in the radiator. Did your mechanic stick a new unit in there or one off a wrecker? Older Valeo radiators are known for destroying transmissions on these cars. If you have a used Valeo unit, switch it out with a new Behr one.

W203 transmission fluid leak