E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Driveshaft issues etc

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Old Mar 8, 2016 | 05:53 PM
  #1  
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1999 E320
Driveshaft issues etc

Hello all! New here!

I own a 99 E320 that I bought a year or so ago with 190k and it has been an absolute tank until just recently...As I was attempting to accelerate moderately from a stop the car made a reasonably loud bang from underneath then lots of clatter from the transmission area afterward...Long story short it ended up being a failed U-joint which also damaged the yoke beyond repair so I had a craigslist mobile mechanic (I know, I know) come out and swap the driveshaft with a used one I got from a local reputable MB shop...Too much money and two weeks later I now have 6 CELS (will list below) and dwindling funds/patience...The car is now making a clattering noise/shaking mainly when in D and at a stop with foot on brake but also makes the noise sometime when the car is moving...Whats weird is sometimes I'll hit a bump and it'll stop the noise/shimmy for awhile and the car drives fine...Any suggestions? Should I start by somehow inspecting the flex disc/center support bearing? The CELS are as follows:

P0455 Evap Emission Control Leak
P0136 O2 sensor
P0141 O2 sensor
P0161 O2 sensor heater circuit bank 2 sensor 2
P0700 Trans Control System Malfunction
P0715 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction

The car now has 205k or so and is still in actually pretty good shape(holds a little sentimental value)

Matt
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Old Mar 8, 2016 | 06:58 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Welcome to the forum.
When it is possible that the driveshaft adventure got O2 sensors wires messed up, it will not go anywhere till you get qualify person under the car and inspect.
What you can do on this forum is taking detailed picture and paste them here.
Swap the gas cap gasket in the mean time.
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Old Mar 8, 2016 | 07:20 PM
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1999 E320
thanks for the response! I know the mobile mechanic had to remove one of the O2 sensors to remove the driveshaft so something may have gone wrong with that or maybe the code just needs to be cleared? Also are there certain pictures that would help you guys understand whats going on a little better?
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Old Mar 8, 2016 | 09:18 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Tijaaa... that somehow reminds me couple of reports when somebody used "qualify helper" for oil change and ended up with empty transmission.
O2 sensors are about a meter from driveshaft, so can't imagine need to touch them on the job. You are not having 4M and not talking about front DS by a chance?
Looks like you have several issues accumulating, so you need sort it out.
You do have transmission codes as well. How old is pilot bushing?
This is DIY forum, so we can help YOU to troubleshoot, but that only works when we have feedback.
Did you flip the gasket?
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 11:24 AM
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1999 E320
Hello Katjtek...I'm new to forums so not sure what "tijaaa" and "4M" stand for but as far as I know it was the front DS...he had to remove an O2 sensor and either a transmission support or oil pan support I can't remember which one...I don't have any definitive answer as far as the age of the pilot bearing but I'm pretty sure this is all factory stuff thats never been changed...As far as flipping the gasket are you talking about the gas cap gasket?
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 11:34 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Good to know it is 4Matic. You should edit that in your profile to avoid more confusion.
Yes, I am talking gas cap gasket. When it age, it leaks and triggers P0455 code.
For O2 sensors you need to call the mechanic back. He should know what he messed up.
Now for transmission, you might want to do better service. Buy dipstick, new pilot bushing, gasket and filter with 4l of ATF. Add can of MAF cleaner
When you drop the pan, wipe it dry and let the transmission drip for several hr.
Measure what you drained, what suppose to be in the range 3.5l.
Wash the plug very well and replace pilot bushing.
Put everything together and hopefully that will be it.
Codes should go to stored codes, where you need SD to clear them.
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 02:05 PM
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1999 E320
Sorry I wasnt aware you were referring to 4Matic when saying 4M....if I'm not mistaken it does say 4matic in my bio but ill change it not!

When the u-joint went it apparently knicked the starter and also dislodged a trans fluid line..I took it to local qualified MB mechanic and had him reattach trans line and refill w fluid to MB spec w MB dipstick..Should I still drop the pan and what not? If so do you know where I could find a somewhat detailed writeup? Helms manual maybe? I've done the basics (change oil, spark plugs, brake jobs, adjust valves, etc) but not sure that I'm qualified to go about this blindly.
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 04:29 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Dislodging fluid line would not trigger those codes. Could be coincidence, could be something else in the mess.
Regardless - if you did not replace pilot bushing in last 5 years and did not refresh ATF - now is good time to do it.
How old are O2 sensors?
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 04:44 PM
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I bought the car about a year or so ago and am honestly not sure of what has been changed and what hasnt...ill check the manual and see if the previous owners noted anything and ill also climb underneath there tomorrow morning and look and see if these things look fresh or old and rusty etc...The transmission had basically drained totally due to dislodged line so wouldnt that be refreshing the fluid basically?
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 06:27 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I love the treads where OP is giving one chunk of information at the time, so we go 3 pages before we learn what the actual situation is
Broken ATF lane and transmission working could mean sucking all the dirt from bottom of the pan into the working parts.
But once again, you do have a problem and you need to focus how to fix it, not focus on how to avoid the work.
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 06:45 PM
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1999 E320
Sorry thats not my intention mate...in my experience an overly detailed saga of an original post typically scares people off more than anything....this is my first post here so not familiar with typical protocol...I'm not trying to avoid the work I'm trying to avoid spending more money on a car thats already not worth much over $1000 at this point
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 07:19 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
The new driveshaft is $1000. How much fuel you have in it ?
Try to be precise.
Talking about driveshaft, while not indicating it is 4M, pushes the dispute into wrong direction.
You will find answers to your question in forum, so to some degrees it is all about using search function.
I think the best way to approach with question is separate engine problems from transmission problems.
Lastly $10 pilot bushing and few more bucks that cleaning bottom of transmission pan will cost is not end of the World.
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 04:51 AM
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kajtech where its this bushing located on the car, whats involved on the typical fix? Sounds like something I should do as pm and an issue on these?
Didnt meant to hijack the thread!
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 10:15 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
There are million treads about servicing the 5-speed.
Pilot bushing is an adapter that goes between transmission electrical prongs and harness plug. Well known wear out item that when start leaking -create short in wires and whole bunch of issues.
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 02:48 PM
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1999 E320
LOL enough fuel left that its basically totalled...I've flipped the gasket and the corresponding code is now gone...thanks for that! I'll go ahead and use the search function to find a DIY on cleaning trans pan and changing pilot bushing...I'll report back soon!
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 12:49 AM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
There are million treads about servicing the 5-speed.
Pilot bushing is an adapter that goes between transmission electrical prongs and harness plug. Well known wear out item that when start leaking -create short in wires and whole bunch of issues.
Thanks for clarifying
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