Differential leaking and suspension fluid leaking at 6k miles
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C43
Differential leaking and suspension fluid leaking at 6k miles
Hi guys, just thought I'd share a bit of bad news. My 2020 C43 was purchased brand new just last year and it's only been a year now so I brought it it for its first service yesterday. The mechanic at the dealership told me that the differential is leaking and the suspension fluid is also leaking. I'm not sure how bad it is, since I did not notice any sort of liquid leaking when I pull in or out of my garage.
Luckily, all this is still under warranty so everything is covered. My car just has to be there for several days until they get the parts. However, it's practically a brand new car still so I'm worried this may be the start of a bunch of issues down the line.
I do want to double check the mechanic there and since I don't know much about cars mechanically, I thought I'd ask you guys. Do you know what differential leaking and suspension fluid leaking actually affect if I did not take the car in and it would've gotten worse? If it is bad, what else are these things affecting so that I can double check and make sure that anything else affected or worn out by these issues are also looked at and taken care of too?
Luckily, all this is still under warranty so everything is covered. My car just has to be there for several days until they get the parts. However, it's practically a brand new car still so I'm worried this may be the start of a bunch of issues down the line.
I do want to double check the mechanic there and since I don't know much about cars mechanically, I thought I'd ask you guys. Do you know what differential leaking and suspension fluid leaking actually affect if I did not take the car in and it would've gotten worse? If it is bad, what else are these things affecting so that I can double check and make sure that anything else affected or worn out by these issues are also looked at and taken care of too?
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I too had differential and transfer case noise issues within 3 months. Had them replaced under warranty, but was never completely silent. Tolerated it for a bit longer, but coupled with all the other quirky behaviour of the suspension, handling, transmission and shifting, bad turning radius, creaky el cheapo interior, leather stitching that’s not straight and frays too easily, juddering wipers, condensation inside the car on rainy days, overly small rear seats, etc. etc. I had to sell the car within a year. For the price, really not what I expected. Really quirky car.
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They don't affect anything else. Leaking suspension means the adaptive shocks are leaking fluid, but these are slow leaks generally. If they get bad then you would start to notice a crappy ride quality. Leaking shocks in general is not uncommon, however, generally not this early. Leaking differential also doesn't affect anything else. Probably a bad gasket or something wasn't tightened enough from the factory, but it does seem there are known issues with the C43 in that regard. Generally I wouldn't be too worried about these. They'll just replace the dampers and be done with it, and hopefully the diff is just a matter of a new gasket. I had a transmission leak on my previous Audi RS5 that was discovered during the 5k service. I did European Delivery with it and drove about 3.5k miles in Europe. Somewhere along the way the transmission filter came loose and put a dent into the transmission oil pan. I didn't see any fluid leaking on the floor and I drove the car at top speed on the German Autobahn. They replaced the filter and put in a new oil pan and the transmission was mechanically fine until I sold the car at a bit over 70k miles. It did take two visits to the dealer, though, as the first replacement oil pan leaked again and it turned out it got bent during shipping. They had to order two more and measured them until they got one that wasn't damaged.
Last edited by superswiss; Jun 23, 2021 at 11:57 AM.
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They don't affect anything else. Leaking suspension means the adaptive shocks are leaking fluid, but these are slow leaks generally. If they get bad then you would start to notice a crappy ride quality. Leaking shocks in general is not uncommon, however, generally not this early. Leaking differential also doesn't affect anything else. Probably a bad gasket or something wasn't tightened enough from the factory, but it does seem there are known issues with the C43 in that regard. Generally I wouldn't be too worried about these. They'll just replace the dampers and be done with it, and hopefully the diff is just a matter of a new gasket. I had a transmission leak on my previous Audi RS5 that was discovered during the 5k service. I did European Delivery with it and drove about 3.5k miles in Europe. Somewhere along the way the transmission filter came loose and put a dent into the transmission oil pan. I didn't see any fluid leaking on the floor and I drove the car at top speed on the German Autobahn. They replaced the filter and put in a new oil pan and the transmission was mechanically fine until I sold the car at a bit over 70k miles. It did take two visits to the dealer, though, as the first replacement oil pan leaked again and it turned out it got bent during shipping. They had to order two more and measured them until they got one that wasn't damaged.
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Correct. You can't patch dampers. They have to replace them, but they won't replace the differential just because it's leaking unless they find something fundamentally wrong with it. An new gasket and perhaps a set of new bolts is cheap.
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Gotcha. I just hope the damage isn't too extensive since I did not notice anything out of the ordinary while driving the car.
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On MB third attempt to fix it, it was worse.
Then i get a phone call from the new owner a month later saying the car has low engine oil issue. God knows how bad its leaking now.
My wifes GLC43 Coupe is amazing not one issue
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C43
You wont see a difference in the way the car drives.
On MB third attempt to fix it, it was worse.
Then i get a phone call from the new owner a month later saying the car has low engine oil issue. God knows how bad its leaking now.
My wifes GLC43 Coupe is amazing not one issue
On MB third attempt to fix it, it was worse.
Then i get a phone call from the new owner a month later saying the car has low engine oil issue. God knows how bad its leaking now.
My wifes GLC43 Coupe is amazing not one issue
It's just bad luck to get one that has issues. Then there's also the variable of the mechanic at the dealership you bring your car to knowing what the heck he's doing as well. It just sucks to have a car with 6k miles having issues like these because now it's just up to how lucky I am on getting the right mechanic that knows what to fix and are willing to put in the work to call warranty, get the parts and fix it all.
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Dang. Yeah, I understand that there are issues and that quality control will miss things here and there. I won't say that Mercedes in general have issues just because I personally am experiencing these issues.
It's just bad luck to get one that has issues. Then there's also the variable of the mechanic at the dealership you bring your car to knowing what the heck he's doing as well. It just sucks to have a car with 6k miles having issues like these because now it's just up to how lucky I am on getting the right mechanic that knows what to fix and are willing to put in the work to call warranty, get the parts and fix it all.
It's just bad luck to get one that has issues. Then there's also the variable of the mechanic at the dealership you bring your car to knowing what the heck he's doing as well. It just sucks to have a car with 6k miles having issues like these because now it's just up to how lucky I am on getting the right mechanic that knows what to fix and are willing to put in the work to call warranty, get the parts and fix it all.
not knowing what they are doing. I get more stuff fixed with the help of forum members than the help of these stealerships, worse is when they break more than they fix. Members on this forum knows more about our cars than those who were trained to fix our cars. I am mind blown.
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C43
I especially agree with how the dealerships and technicians
not knowing what they are doing. I get more stuff fixed with the help of forum members than the help of these stealerships, worse is when they break more than they fix. Members on this forum knows more about our cars than those who were trained to fix our cars. I am mind blown.
not knowing what they are doing. I get more stuff fixed with the help of forum members than the help of these stealerships, worse is when they break more than they fix. Members on this forum knows more about our cars than those who were trained to fix our cars. I am mind blown.
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I guess to a certain extent that makes sense. Members on these forums are car enthusiasts while some mechanics are just working a job that they need to pay the bills and don't really care about cars, just like how many people don't really care about being an expert at their jobs lol
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Jun 24, 2021 at 07:57 PM.
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Looks like it took 4 days for them to get approvals from warranty and get all the parts needed. I'm suppose to pick up the car later today so I'll have more details regarding what they did and/or change. Hopefully, it's all good to go from here. I asked for a realignment when I took the car in, which costs $190, but I asked if they could waive that fee because the repairs for my issues mean they would have had to realign anyhow, and they agreed to waiving the fee. So at least that's one good thing.
Last edited by Ramsino; Jun 25, 2021 at 05:09 PM.
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Looks like it took 4 days for them to get approvals from warranty and get all the parts needed. I'm suppose to pick up the car later today so I'll have more details regarding what they did and/or change. Hopefully, it's all good to go from here. I asked for a realignment when I took the car in, which costs $190, but I asked if they could waive that fee because the repairs for my issues mean they would have had to realign anyhow, and they agreed to waiving the fee. So at least that's one good thing.
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Dang. Yeah, I understand that there are issues and that quality control will miss things here and there. I won't say that Mercedes in general have issues just because I personally am experiencing these issues.
It's just bad luck to get one that has issues. Then there's also the variable of the mechanic at the dealership you bring your car to knowing what the heck he's doing as well. It just sucks to have a car with 6k miles having issues like these because now it's just up to how lucky I am on getting the right mechanic that knows what to fix and are willing to put in the work to call warranty, get the parts and fix it all.
It's just bad luck to get one that has issues. Then there's also the variable of the mechanic at the dealership you bring your car to knowing what the heck he's doing as well. It just sucks to have a car with 6k miles having issues like these because now it's just up to how lucky I am on getting the right mechanic that knows what to fix and are willing to put in the work to call warranty, get the parts and fix it all.
For more complex issues, I'll ask for a senior mechanic or to speak to the shop foreman if it festers unresolved. How can we get your best to work on this?
I always check the engine cover to make sure they did not break a clip. Some have and I send it back.
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There's always inexperienced mechanics which is why they use the book rate. One mechanic might do a service in 2 hours and another 3 hours. The dealership will charge 4 to cover themselves.
For more complex issues, I'll ask for a senior mechanic or to speak to the shop foreman if it festers unresolved. How can we get your best to work on this?
I always check the engine cover to make sure they did not break a clip. Some have and I send it back.
For more complex issues, I'll ask for a senior mechanic or to speak to the shop foreman if it festers unresolved. How can we get your best to work on this?
I always check the engine cover to make sure they did not break a clip. Some have and I send it back.
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The hose was out of stock much to the annoyance of the SA. They wanted $218.00.
I bought a used hose off eBay for 20.00 (new it's 50) and used a 16 mm wrench. I had the job done in 5 mins.
LOL.
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Right. That's how it works in the U.S too. I once had a leak in my fuel hose on my W204.
The hose was out of stock much to the annoyance of the SA. They wanted $218.00.
I bought a used hose off eBay for 20.00 (new it's 50) and used a 16 mm wrench. I had the job done in 5 mins.
LOL.
The hose was out of stock much to the annoyance of the SA. They wanted $218.00.
I bought a used hose off eBay for 20.00 (new it's 50) and used a 16 mm wrench. I had the job done in 5 mins.
LOL.
Always love to DIY and DIY is always the way to go, you know it will be done properly since you are the one doing it.I mean, the problem with these technicians with getting something that requires 3 hours done in 10 minutes, chances are they rush it and might not get it done properly.
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Always love to DIY and DIY is always the way to go, you know it will be done properly since you are the one doing it.I mean, the problem with these technicians with getting something that requires 3 hours done in 10 minutes, chances are they rush it and might not get it done properly.
I definitely would like to get a C43. I do wonder if certain years had bad parts or factory issues?
Transfer case reports seems higher than expected although I have heard 4matic issues for a while...
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Ha ha. Right! Looking at the OP's work order, that seems like a lot of stuff to come off the car...
I definitely would like to get a C43. I do wonder if certain years had bad parts or factory issues?
Transfer case reports seems higher than expected although I have heard 4matic issues for a while...
I definitely would like to get a C43. I do wonder if certain years had bad parts or factory issues?
Transfer case reports seems higher than expected although I have heard 4matic issues for a while...
Transfer case issues? Never heard of them on the W205 C 43 at least not sure about the W202 C 43 but rear differential whine might be a thing for the W205 C 43, it is fixable through replacements.
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I got it wrong. Brain misfired. Leak is for TRANSMISSION 725.0 (9G TRONIC) BR166/292/167. I saw the euro headlights from 2019 with no yoke in the headlights. Definitely an improved dynamic headlight design although I don't like the new tails. Recession is forecasted in USA for mid June. Hopefully prices come down.
