Frisco

I just got word that they found coolant contamination in my transmission and are going to replace it

TX4Runner

Sorry to hear that. But it's better to have it fixed now.

BTW - Why the change to your sig? I liked the picture of your car.

RJC

Sorry to hear this, I'm sure she be as good as new. Please find out from the shop foreman of you rdealer, what production dates could be effected by this.

Thanks

x-tian-230k

Frisco, that is one of the issues with CLK's. Especially with 03 and 04's. My car, Jlee and Starr have had our transmissions replaced due to this issue. My car drives like new with out any issues.

Frisco

That's what I'm afraid of!

Frisco

I forgot to mention that they told me that there is a recall on the door seal that's going to be announced shortly. I put the new sig up because of some plans that I have for the car in the future.

clkcadet

frisco, what were some of the symptoms of this transmission problem? just so i can look out for them!

btw do you ever have any problems with warranty issues? or mbusa doesnt mind the mods?

Frisco

There was a subtle grinding during gear shifts and a bit of forward and backward motion at constant low throttle around 2k rpm. They definitely do not cover any items modified, but pretty much all of the mods are cosmetic.

clkcadet

oh, so lets say from downshifting 2 to 1 i hear and feel a slight grind is that what it is? i mean i dont notice it much on the other upshifts but maybe im not paying close attention....

x-tian-230k

Cadet,

YOu will definately feel the grinding noises. ITs not subtle at all....i felt the grinding noises between 40-70 MPH when the gears were shifting...

RJC

What can be done to prevent this problem from occuring and or what causes this to happen?

Thanks,

Frisco

It's still not clear to me what causes it. I just got an update (and saw the car on the lift) that they are changing out the radiator and all lines as well. The new transmission just arrived, and they said I should have the car back Mon or Tues.

RJC

Most auto transmissions are cooled by the radiator, so if they are replacing the radiator too, it seems there is trouble with the radiator or one of its related components infecting the trans with coolant.

Please Frisco, the next time you visit your car ask the tech or better yet the shop foreman what MB can do to prevent this problem from occuring in cars not yet affected.

Thanks!

Frisco

I wasn't able to get any more information about the problem. They replaced the radiator, all hoses, and the transmission. They also replaced the driver door lower seal.

RJC

Thanks anyway...What happened they wouldn't talk about it?

Frisco

It wasn't that bad - I just went right right at closing to pick it up. The service advisor was already gone for the day, and the only people around were the cashier who processed the paperwork and the parking attendant that pulled the car around.

Frisco

Problem solved - the hesitation and grinding are gone.

clkcadet

weird, my grinding stopped but i still have hesitation...should i still take it in to benz?? maybe im missing the grind since i got used to it?? (i only get it from 2-1 downshifts but hesitation from most upshifts)

STARR

Yes I'm going to take mine back to service, I'm getting the hesitation. When the car shifts from 1 to 2 it's like my car kind of "hiccups" (no sound just a slight jerk). It used to be a smooth transition.

STARR

Symptom: When the car hit 1100 rpms and/or 2300 rpms it would make a loud grinding/rubbing sound. Initially they thought it was my exhaust.

STARR

There is nothing you can do to prevent it. The official Mercedes Benz story for the trans replacement is: The coolant line that runs through the radiator deteriorated allowing coolant to mix with the trans fluid and contaminated the trans. They tried to replace only the torque converter but the noise was still there so they replaced the entire trans.

RJC

Thanks Starr. It sounds like MB should be replacing the radiators on cars within a certain production range to prevent this problem. Knowing MB though,they won't and they'll have more unhappy cutomers with failed transmissions....

britton

Just took 2003 clk in for my last free service with 33,000 miles and
they found radiator coolant in the transmission. Was told they are going to
flush coolant out and see if this works. If this does not work they are going
to replace transmission. Has anyone had this problem and what did they do?
My warranty is up in three days. any advice would be welcome.

thanks britton

blk350c

the radiator is actually the culprit. the new radiator being put in is an updated part to prevent this from occurring again. now don't confuse the bucking and jerking at low speeds with this same issue. the transmission control modules on the 03-05 clk320's cause that problem. the grinding and awkward shifting is what to look for with the contaminated trans. a glykol test is done first to verify the issue. if it has not damaged the trans, they will flush the trans, than replace the torque converter. Of course the transmission gets replaced last. Usually the first two steps do not resolve the issue, so the trans usually has to end up being replaced. good luck to those with the problem.