Glycol in transmission- Assistance needed

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Jul 28, 2017 | 11:37 PM

benznewcomer

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*added video* Glycol in transmission- Assistance needed

hey all, so looks like i had the issue of the glycol leak from the radiator to the transmission. i have replaced the radiator but for the last 6 months (i dont drive it much), i am hearing the dreaded droning or humming noise that comes and goes while in city driving or highway driving. The shifting sometimes is jerky too when quickly accelerating or accelerating in city driving...its not always jerky but again it comes and goes for short periods of time.

my question is, 1) i have flushed transmission fluid and replaced radiator and the droning sound and off/on jerkiness is very annoying, is the next step to replace the torque converter? will i have to replace the whole transmission or since it has been running for last 6 months with it not getting progressively worse does that mean i just need to replace the torque converter only?

2) I see people saying the torque converter is 1500-2000 dollars online but i found it on rockauto for a few hundred bucks here:
http://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/t...52842_685485_0

is this the wrong torque converter or is there something more needing to be ordered to get the full torque converter assembly? i dont understand why people are saying 1500 bucks when i am seeing that dacco model for 200 bucks....is it a junk torque converter and not the oem?

thanks all

Last edited by benznewcomer; Jul 31, 2017 at 05:00 AM.

Jul 28, 2017 | 11:49 PM

benznewcomer

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i forgot to mention i have an e55 amg not sure if the parts are different for the amg version?

Jul 28, 2017 | 11:57 PM

ItalianJoe1

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The daaco rebuilt torque converters work just fine. Members here have used them on v12 cars with good results, if they are handling that torque, anything else will be just fine.

Jul 29, 2017 | 01:07 AM

benznewcomer

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thanks, my understanding is that its 5-6hrs of labor to replace torque converter, is there anything else i should bbe replacing in the transmission due to the glycol issue? the plates?

Jul 29, 2017 | 08:20 PM

ItalianJoe1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by benznewcomer

thanks, my understanding is that its 5-6hrs of labor to replace torque converter, is there anything else i should bbe replacing in the transmission due to the glycol issue? the plates?

If it still shifts ok, leave it be. In theory, if the clutches got contaminated, it would need to be rebuilt. Hopefully, you can just do the converter and it will be fine.

Jul 30, 2017 | 04:46 AM

benznewcomer

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upon researching the last few days the next step is to replace the torque converter like you said but the transmission shop said i need to replace all clutch plates too??? but he said it doesnt need whole transmission rebuild.... is this necessary or can i just replace the torque converter? they quoted me 5000 dollars but i found a torque converter for 200 dollars at rockauto here: http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....sn=503&jsn=503

what other "clutch plates" or parts could i try to get replaced without getting a whole new transmission?

any assistance here would be appreciated thanks

Jul 30, 2017 | 09:29 AM

ItalianJoe1

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The clutch plates require complete transmission disassembly, that's why I said a rebuild.

I would just do the Tq converter first and see what happens. Labor to remove the trans is minor compared to the cost of an overhaul and replacement of all the clutches.

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Jul 31, 2017 | 04:59 AM

benznewcomer

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hey i was driving tonight and i took a video clip so you can get a better idea of the sounds i am hearing, along with the jerkyness for accelerating in the 1000-3000 rpm range i hear the noise as heard in the following video: note the noise comes in at 12 seconds/17 seconds/27 seconds into the video....it may be hard to hear it but with headphones in the computer i can hear it clearly: here is the link: https://uploadfiles.io/ckp9x

let me know your thoughts

Jul 31, 2017 | 10:56 AM

#10

konigstiger

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MB bulletin...

Attached Thumbnails

Glycol in transmission- Assistance needed-capture.jpg

Attached Files

27.55_50g.pdf (182.4 KB, 499 views)

Jul 31, 2017 | 09:28 PM

#11

benznewcomer

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At this point i am confused, spoke to transmission shop today and they say transmission has glycol and at this point to do transmission rebuild costing 6000. Mercedes Benz bulletin says if droning noise continues after a flush then to replace the torque converter....if i replace the torque converter it would be significant labor time so should i be doing the transmission rebuild while i am at it? I dont know what a transmission rebuild entails and what parts would i need to buy for them to do it besides the torque converter? new plates?

I have the new radiator i just installed few months ago that isnt leaking anymore (essen radiator i think its called) so i wouldnt need to replace that too right?

I am not sure should I just replace torque converter or do i do a new transmission rebuild? The droning noise has been going on for 6 months even after the radiator replacement and flushing so wouldnt the transmission be toast by now if the transmission was totally contaminated? would the cost difference between torque converter replacement and transmission rebuild be excessive? would I be able to source all the new parts online for a transmission rebuild or am i at the mercy of the mechanic???

thanks for any help

Jul 31, 2017 | 10:06 PM

#12

N_Jay

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How long was it run with water and glycol in the transmission?
How many times did you change the ATF or flush the transmission?

Aug 1, 2017 | 12:27 PM

#13

konigstiger

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Bulletin page 4 worst case replacement requirements: transmission control module, radiator, torque converter. Shop is playing it safe given circumstances - how long it drove while initially contaminated, mileage after radiator replacement, etc. IMHO if transmission seems to be shifting fine as before cost effective choice would be to replace torque converter at this point. Radiator replacement, proper flush (see attachment), and torque converter replacement should resolve. Peace of mind dependent on how long you plan to keep vehicle – rebuild.

Attached Files

trans_722.6_fluid_change-1.pdf (252.9 KB, 513 views)

Last edited by konigstiger; Aug 1, 2017 at 02:11 PM.

Aug 1, 2017 | 01:04 PM

#14

N_Jay

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Why do they want the TCM replaced for glycol contamination?

Aug 1, 2017 | 07:46 PM

#15

cetialpha5

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Quote:

Originally Posted by benznewcomer

What transmission shop did you take it to? You might want to shop around for a different place. Chain transmission shops tend to be high. Dealer would also be high. Probably try and find an indy shop to do it. 6k sounds pretty high. You could also go the route of a used transmission, you don't mention the year of the car but car-parts.com lists used transmissions across the country. The torque converter is separate from the transmission, if you had to replace the transmission later, in theory you could just use the same torque converter although you'd have to take the transmission apart twice, once to replace the torque converter a second time to replace the transmission. In any event, the previous replies seem to indicate that you just need to replace the torque converter so if the transmission shop wants you to rebuild everything, call around and find someone else who will do it cheaper and not tell you to do unnecessary stuff. They probably want to rebuild it while the transmission is out of the car but considering the cost, it may be cheaper to either get a used transmission or find someone selling rebuilt ones. When the transmission shop rebuilds it, they just charge their high hourly rate, when you get a rebuilt one from a rebuilder, they rebuild them all day so their rates are lower. Basically the guys at the transmission shop are sitting around waiting for someone who needs a transmission rebuilt and the price reflects that.

Aug 1, 2017 | 09:26 PM

#16

benznewcomer

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i took it to a specialty transmission shop, at this point i dont know what to do or what is required to best save me from wasting my money on something that may not totally fix the problem.

i was thinking just replace torque converter but people saying just rebuild transmission while im at it since transmission comes out....on rockauto website they sell a rebuild kit for the e55 for 600, is that all i would need?

or should i just do torque converter?

or should i just flush out the transmission another 3 to 4 times? im thinking this option would be silly as it would cost quite a bit and the droning may come back over time