Need URGENT HELP - shop filled with incorrect ATF!
#1
Need URGENT HELP - shop filled with incorrect ATF!
Folks:
Took vehicle to a local shop to get the transmission fluid and filter changed. 2010 E550. They filled it up with Pentosin ATF 1. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/pentosin_atf1.pdf
Vehicle started lurching and hard shifting immediately on test drive.
For the 722.9 transmission, 236.14 is the current spec sheet and Pentosin ATF 1 is not correct. Looks like it is spec'd for "vintage" Benzes.
Whereas, Pentosin ATF 1 LV claims to be spec'd for 236.14. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_ATF1LV.pdf
My question is, could a few miles (less than 5) of driving this vehicle on this incorrect fluid, cause permanent damage?
Am I correct that the procedure now to get it all out is for them to drain the entire transmission and torque converter twice and refill twice?
Thanks for all responses! Concerned about this transmission.
Took vehicle to a local shop to get the transmission fluid and filter changed. 2010 E550. They filled it up with Pentosin ATF 1. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/pentosin_atf1.pdf
Vehicle started lurching and hard shifting immediately on test drive.
For the 722.9 transmission, 236.14 is the current spec sheet and Pentosin ATF 1 is not correct. Looks like it is spec'd for "vintage" Benzes.
Whereas, Pentosin ATF 1 LV claims to be spec'd for 236.14. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_ATF1LV.pdf
My question is, could a few miles (less than 5) of driving this vehicle on this incorrect fluid, cause permanent damage?
Am I correct that the procedure now to get it all out is for them to drain the entire transmission and torque converter twice and refill twice?
Thanks for all responses! Concerned about this transmission.
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 68
From: Athens, GA USA
2011 E63, 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 v8, 2013 GMC Denali XL, 1965 Ford Mustang, 2005 Merc. E500
Make sure what happened is documented in writing and you have proof of what was installed and when it was done by the shop. You have no worries if you keep everything in writing as to what happened and what it caused your car to do. Put it in writing to the Shop owner. The shop's insurance company will need to be notified and you should get a new or at least a Mercedes transmission supplied by and installed by a Mercedes dealer. You cannot take a chance on damage that will not show up until 5,000 miles from now. The shop is totally liable for getting you a new transmission. If they don't want to contact their insurance company then contact your automobile insurance company and maybe a lawyer. But very very important to get everything in writing and get shop manager or owner to sign off one receiving information and to what happened. This can be costly to you if you play nice.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,106
Likes: 388
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I wouldn't let this shop touch my car again. I would take it to the dealer and have them diagnose and see if just replacing the fluid as you mention is sufficient. Better to have someone independent of these guys handle it. The local shop should cover the cost and even refund you the original cost. Don't sign anything with the local shop.
#4
That's nasty. Hope it works out OK for you as you are looking at upwards of $7500 for a replacement transmission they tell me ($10k up here)
As suggested document, communicate and sign no releases or any other document.
Maybe get it put on a flatbed and to the dealer. Maybe they can open it up, flush it and replace the filter and perhaps save it.
As suggested document, communicate and sign no releases or any other document.
Maybe get it put on a flatbed and to the dealer. Maybe they can open it up, flush it and replace the filter and perhaps save it.
#5
Thanks for the responses! I'm torn on whether to at least let them flush it twice and refill and see if it returns to normal operation. It was driven only a few miles on the fluid. It appears that their supplier sent them the wrong fluid.
I suppose my question is, how likely is it that the brief introduction of the wrong fluid caused physical harm to the transmission? Both fluids are similar full synthetics but with different characteristics. Just curious on a technical basis how the tranny reacts to a fluid with different viscosity etc.
I suppose my question is, how likely is it that the brief introduction of the wrong fluid caused physical harm to the transmission? Both fluids are similar full synthetics but with different characteristics. Just curious on a technical basis how the tranny reacts to a fluid with different viscosity etc.
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,106
Likes: 388
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
You might want to call or stop by another reputable tranny shop and see what they think of that question. I would at least get some advice from an experienced mechanic that is independent from these guys. And even then, are these mechanics really going to know if this causes early failure thousands of miles from now? Ask yourself this question though - if it works fine after the flush with the correct fluid, how long will you be looking over your shoulder and cringing over any odd noise or vibration? Just trying to watch your back.
#7
Make sure what happened is documented in writing and you have proof of what was installed and when it was done by the shop. You have no worries if you keep everything in writing as to what happened and what it caused your car to do. Put it in writing to the Shop owner. The shop's insurance company will need to be notified and you should get a new or at least a Mercedes transmission supplied by and installed by a Mercedes dealer. You cannot take a chance on damage that will not show up until 5,000 miles from now. The shop is totally liable for getting you a new transmission. If they don't want to contact their insurance company then contact your automobile insurance company and maybe a lawyer. But very very important to get everything in writing and get shop manager or owner to sign off one receiving information and to what happened. This can be costly to you if you play nice.
Trending Topics
#8
Thanks. I will call or stop by the dealer tomorrow and ask their tech what should be done about this. I'm sure this is not the first time that they have seen this happen with an indy-shop.
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 68
From: Athens, GA USA
2011 E63, 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 v8, 2013 GMC Denali XL, 1965 Ford Mustang, 2005 Merc. E500
Thanks for the responses! I'm torn on whether to at least let them flush it twice and refill and see if it returns to normal operation. It was driven only a few miles on the fluid. It appears that their supplier sent them the wrong fluid.
I suppose my question is, how likely is it that the brief introduction of the wrong fluid caused physical harm to the transmission? Both fluids are similar full synthetics but with different characteristics. Just curious on a technical basis how the tranny reacts to a fluid with different viscosity etc.
I suppose my question is, how likely is it that the brief introduction of the wrong fluid caused physical harm to the transmission? Both fluids are similar full synthetics but with different characteristics. Just curious on a technical basis how the tranny reacts to a fluid with different viscosity etc.
Do you have 7500.00 to gamble that a flush will fix it? Because if that is done and it drives fine for 30 days then fails, then its more than likely on you to pay for repairs and not the shop. The suggestion of taking it to a Mercedes dealer is a good one but it must be at the expense of the shop at fault. Get everything in writing. Get the shop to put you in touch with their insurance company for the liability so the paper trail can start. If you cut corners and do things verbally you can get hit with the cost of a transmission.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 51
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Do you have 7500.00 to gamble that a flush will fix it? Because if that is done and it drives fine for 30 days then fails, then its more than likely on you to pay for repairs and not the shop. The suggestion of taking it to a Mercedes dealer is a good one but it must be at the expense of the shop at fault. Get everything in writing. Get the shop to put you in touch with their insurance company for the liability so the paper trail can start. If you cut corners and do things verbally you can get hit with the cost of a transmission.
What he said!
I like the excuse "the supplier sent the wrong fluid" vs, "we are dumb asses and used the wrong fluid"
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,553
Likes: 942
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Folks:
Took vehicle to a local shop to get the transmission fluid and filter changed. 2010 E550. They filled it up with Pentosin ATF 1. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/pentosin_atf1.pdf
Vehicle started lurching and hard shifting immediately on test drive.
For the 722.9 transmission, 236.14 is the current spec sheet and Pentosin ATF 1 is not correct. Looks like it is spec'd for "vintage" Benzes.
Whereas, Pentosin ATF 1 LV claims to be spec'd for 236.14. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_ATF1LV.pdf
My question is, could a few miles (less than 5) of driving this vehicle on this incorrect fluid, cause permanent damage?
Am I correct that the procedure now to get it all out is for them to drain the entire transmission and torque converter twice and refill twice?
Thanks for all responses! Concerned about this transmission.
Took vehicle to a local shop to get the transmission fluid and filter changed. 2010 E550. They filled it up with Pentosin ATF 1. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/pentosin_atf1.pdf
Vehicle started lurching and hard shifting immediately on test drive.
For the 722.9 transmission, 236.14 is the current spec sheet and Pentosin ATF 1 is not correct. Looks like it is spec'd for "vintage" Benzes.
Whereas, Pentosin ATF 1 LV claims to be spec'd for 236.14. http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_ATF1LV.pdf
My question is, could a few miles (less than 5) of driving this vehicle on this incorrect fluid, cause permanent damage?
Am I correct that the procedure now to get it all out is for them to drain the entire transmission and torque converter twice and refill twice?
Thanks for all responses! Concerned about this transmission.
The wrong fluid probably lubricates the gear wheels just fine and no premature wear happens during a short time you have the wrong liquid in the tranny but this is not the damage that you need to worry about.
Different types of rubber materials absorb different chemical and if you fill the tranny with a fluid that the rubbers seals inside the box absorb you are in trouble. The seals will swell and cause moving pistons etc. to get sticky making bad shifting or some gears may not work at all. It is the most important thing to drain the wrong fluid out ASAP and then flush the tranny with the correct fluid and doing this twice will not hurt either.
If after the flush the tranny works ok with the correct fluid you probably have not experienced damage at all.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 68
From: Athens, GA USA
2011 E63, 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 v8, 2013 GMC Denali XL, 1965 Ford Mustang, 2005 Merc. E500
Arrie "If after the flush the tranny works ok with the correct fluid you probably have not experienced damage at all."
That word "probably" would make me feel very uneasy about reliability.
That word "probably" would make me feel very uneasy about reliability.
#16
I would think the dealer could add weight to any claim you have with the shop. I sort of doubt that 5 miles will destroy the transmission, but there may be that issue with fluid chemistry vs the rubber bits. I would not take it back to the shop. What I also wonder about is if that shop may have nudged a connector out of place to contribute to the sudden weird shifts. I would also ask the dealer to initially report on the fill level of the fluid that the shop put in, very low or very high fluid can also cause the bad shifts. Either way, suggest the dealer to be your next stop.
#17
Well, one exception, I did bring my C300 to a local tire shop for new tires. They generally do a good job with replacement. When they offered to do a free check and alignment if necessary, I went for it. That was a mistake because they totally messed it up. I had MB adjust it and everything was good again. It would have been cheaper overall if I had gone to the MB dealer in the first place and I know they will stand behind what they do.
All that said, I hope the problem gets resolved soon and to your satisfaction.
Last edited by noka; 02-06-2015 at 07:39 AM.
#21
I would demand a new transmission, period. You will never feel confident driving long distances with this car. I wish you well with this disaster and the statement about receiving the wrong fluid is a complete cop out to redirect the blame.