Hi,

My 97 W210 is leaking transmission oil for the last year or so. I bought the car from NXCESS in Houston, TX, and they told me that transmission went south on this unit and has been replaced with a NEW unit. I requested paperwork that was not provided to me. I showed the car to two independent mechanics (not MB speliasists though) and since the car was perfect in all other aspects, I bought it.

Three months down the road I noticed that the main tx seal (between engine and tx is seeping oil. I went back to them and they conveniently told me they have lost the records of who worked on it or replaced it. Even the salesperson acted like he did not recognize me.

Cut a long story short, I purchased an aftermarket dipstick and keep checking the fluid level. It is always a quart or so empty every 3 months. I have goofed at least twice where transmission started delayed engagement or slipping for me to check the level and fill it again. Also I noticed that instead of seeping, it constabntly drips when engine is running. So the problem has worsened.

Took her to the dealership in Sugar Land finally yesterday thinking what the heck, let me bite the bullet and have them replace the seal. They told me for one, my after dipstick is not working because when it tells me fluid is full, it is still quart-and-half short on oil. They filled her up but I was told it could be torque-converter seal AND the outer seal. For them to open it up it will be $600 and about the same plus parts to close it up. I left the dealership. Transmission felt very strong and glitchless after I left there.

I also called one independent shop that quoted me 500-700 for this repair. Here are my questions:

1) Does anyone know of a reliable independent repair shop in Houston area?
2) Any idea on how much parts could be?
3) Could this be more problematic than the seals alone
4) While I was there, I test drove a c240 (2002) and kinda liked it. Should I even think about selling my daimler-benz with a daimler-chrystler? C is smaller butI liked driving it. I liked the newer electronics too.
5) on #4, my e is paid for, so I am hesitant to spend 6-8K on top. Still wanted to know what my MBWorld family thought of the idea.
6) Consumer reports suggests a tx repair est. of $2100 on the e420. How come I keep hearing $4K figures for tx repairs.
7) Please don't flame! I AM confused right now. This was my first real MB and I love the car. Just annoyed. If I can get a reasonable quote to fix this thing, I would in a heart beat. Anytime I go to indy shops, I get a different story.

thanks,

Moby

comments, suggestions, advice?

sounds like a shady dealer you should have walked away when they mentioned "new unit".#3 since its been constantly leaking for awhile it can now be a bigger problem than just the seals as you said you forgot to fill it up a couple times.#4 to small you'll get tired of it.#7 what kind of stories are you getting?to fix all the seals it should run $500-700 at a independent shop.it all depends on what you want to do fix the seals or rebuild the transmission

Sounds like the trans oil pump o-ring and seal. parts are cheap, total parts should be less that 100 bucks. u need 1-ft. pump o-ring and one seal w/ a litre or so atf. trans has to be partially taken apart...labor should be around 10-11 hrs. multiply times 98 bucks total. I am familiar w/ nxcess...we joke around and call them n-ah-rex. Take it from me...let sugarland fix it. The labor rates and times are better that most....if you dont like dealers (dont know why) take it to bertolini's in the woodlands...

I did call around yesterday to couple indy shops and got different responses. Smallest job mentioned was 10.5 hours @ 98.00 and hour plus parts, 14 hrs @$98.00 per hour plus parts, and a fixed $2200 to completely rebuild the transmission.

One of the shops I actually trust (Texas German Autohaus) tells me that I should look into seal swelling agents if they exist for MB fluids. Although a temporary and unreliable solution, the rate of dripping is not that great so I keep thinking wow, that may work for a while before I bite the real bullet.

The service manager at TGA also told me seal replacement would run around $1600 or so which is very close to rebuilding the transmission at $2500 or so. He suggested I get a nice OEM dipstick and refill fluid every other week to the level. Please note that I do have an aftermarket dipstick, but have a hard time reading it. May sound stupid but its a fact - I don't think I know how to check the TX fluid. I usually drive around until car is warmed up to 80 degree or so and then park it level, and use the dipstick. For some insane reason, the oil does not stick to the stick as if that plastic gauge has rainmagic on it. I have so far been unable to make a realistic determination. When I thought I had overfilled it, dealer told me I was quart and a half short!

I keep reading $700 for this job, but no one in town is giving me this number. I am ready to part with $700 but 1600 is kinda steep specially now that my wife is outa work. . Things are kinda financially tight these days.

Ah well. Anyone is welcome to give advise on checking the fluid and about dipstics.

If you plan to keep the car for a while...spring for the overhaul, $2500 sounds o.k., otherwise just fix the leak. Order a trans dipstick from mb dealer parts dept. then check the atf level w/ eng running and trans in park.