E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Need Advice- Have had the dreaded droning/humming noise after bad radiator...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2018 | 01:53 PM
  #1  
benznewcomer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
porsche
Need Advice- Have had the dreaded droning/humming noise after bad radiator...

hey all I need some advice

so about 18 months ago I started hearing the dreaded droning/humming noises when at 1500-2500 RPM and found that I still had the faulty radiator from the 2003 E55 that was known to leak glycol into the transmission. I had the radiator replaced and had a thorough transmission flush from the mechanic. That was 18 months ago and when I first got it back there was a slight humming/droning noise but it eventually got worse.

Now over the last 6 months its been the same humming/droning noises but it hasnt gotten progressively worse and its been still driving with no breakdown over the past 18 months. My understanding is that if the glycol did the damage then my transmission would be long gone by now isnt it?

Is it possible that just the torque converter needs replacing and I will be fine? Or given that the droning was lessor at the beginning right after the flushing it means that the transmission needs to be flushed again? I just dont want to be throwing money away on things that wont fix the true issue.

If I keep driving it will the torque converter ultimately fail or just always run with that droning sound?

Any help or plans of action for this is appreciated
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2018 | 10:22 PM
  #2  
benznewcomer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
porsche
anyone been through this situation or have any thoughts on est way to proceed?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2018 | 10:39 AM
  #3  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Have ATF analyzed https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2018 | 04:20 PM
  #4  
cmriv's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
+1. rule out glycol in transmission system first. then re-assess
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2018 | 11:02 PM
  #5  
benznewcomer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
porsche
so you are saying I should test again to see if glycol is still in the transmission? It was determined it was there 18 months ago and it was flushed out but the humming/droning sound is still present so i should have it tested again? Or should I just go about replacing the torque converter first since thats my understanding of where the humming and droning is coming from?

if glycol was somehow still in transmission wouldnt it have killed my transmission many months ago?

thanks
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2018 | 12:42 PM
  #6  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
By “thorough flush” can you confirm torque converter was flushed as recommended in 50g bulletin as suggested test ATF again if fine then proceed with testing torque converter per attached bulletin.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
27.20_78a.pdf (92.8 KB, 122 views)
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2018 | 02:54 PM
  #7  
cmriv's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
Originally Posted by benznewcomer
so you are saying I should test again to see if glycol is still in the transmission? It was determined it was there 18 months ago and it was flushed out but the humming/droning sound is still present so i should have it tested again? Or should I just go about replacing the torque converter first since thats my understanding of where the humming and droning is coming from?

if glycol was somehow still in transmission wouldnt it have killed my transmission many months ago?

thanks
Not necessarily. Deposites could still be present. I would take an extreme thorough flush to get all of it out. And like the above said, was the TC drained too?
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2018 | 09:28 PM
  #8  
benznewcomer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
porsche
hmmm i was never mentioned anything about torque converter flush, should i be trying that first or better to just replace the whole torque converter? seems like the flushing with so many L of oil it might be just as expensive?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:20 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE