GLK250 Torque converter rebuild
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GLK250
GLK250 Torque converter rebuild
My 2013 GLK250 bluetec torque converter is shot. Does anyone know if it's possible to refurbish the existing converter? Or am I consigned to replaying it with OEM from MB? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Has 81k miles, and is out of warranty. Thanks.
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From: WI
GLK 250
First things first: who has deemed your TC "shot"? How did they determine this and what symptoms have YOU been experiencing beforehand?
When was the last time your transmission was serviced and by who?
When was the last time your transmission was serviced and by who?
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From: Toronto, Canada
GLC300 (mine) GLK250 (wife's)
OP - please be as specific as possible when describing your symptoms.
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GLK250
MB dealer diagnosed, then 2nd opinion from MB certified shop. Brought it for 70k at 80k for service, and I mentioned a vibrating sensation - almost like running over rumble strips in the road. Initially dealer said same thing "...rare for a TC to go bad in one of these. Likely it's a transmission mount." After test drive with the head of shop, and tests, they came back with replace TC. 2nd opinion said same after test drive. Question now is: new TC from dealer, or MB certified shop with rebuilt? Transmission is 722.9 model. Anyone?
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From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
The TQ and transfer case is all one unit together with the transmission, its an absolutely awful design. so the whole thing has to come out, and be opened up. If you replace the whole unit, it needs to be coded to the vin which is also tricky to DIY. Last member here who had this done (very recently it will come up if you search) was $11k at the dealer. I dont think there are any alternatives.
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From: WI
GLK 250
Even so, $7K is a huge bill.
Have they looked at the front U-joint? What else did they do at the 70k and 80k service?
Again, has the transmission fluid ever been replaced? If so, when and by who?
Have they looked at the front U-joint? What else did they do at the 70k and 80k service?
Again, has the transmission fluid ever been replaced? If so, when and by who?
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From: WI
GLK 250
That's certainly too bad, and I'm sorry for your troubles. The fluid & filter should've been replaced around 60K, even though MB says it's "lifetime" fluid. There is no such thing and failures like these are sometimes the result.
If the TC is indeed faulty, you have to decide if keeping the vehicle and fixing it for $7k+ is worth it in the long run. How many more miles do you plan to drive it? How many miles do you run yearly? What's the warranty for the rebuilt unit? Are other repairs on the horizon?
If you plan to keep it, just know going in that you won't be getting that money back if/when you ever sell/trade it. Alternative option, if it's not acting up too terribly, is to change the fluid & filter now and maybe keep driving it if possible, hoping it doesn't get worse.
If it were my car, I'd likely plan to trade it in somewhere. $7k+ is a lot of money to spend on repairs for a 7+ year old Merc that's worth around $15K. It shouldn't be necessary, and it stinks that it happened, but I'd probably cut my losses.
If the TC is indeed faulty, you have to decide if keeping the vehicle and fixing it for $7k+ is worth it in the long run. How many more miles do you plan to drive it? How many miles do you run yearly? What's the warranty for the rebuilt unit? Are other repairs on the horizon?
If you plan to keep it, just know going in that you won't be getting that money back if/when you ever sell/trade it. Alternative option, if it's not acting up too terribly, is to change the fluid & filter now and maybe keep driving it if possible, hoping it doesn't get worse.
If it were my car, I'd likely plan to trade it in somewhere. $7k+ is a lot of money to spend on repairs for a 7+ year old Merc that's worth around $15K. It shouldn't be necessary, and it stinks that it happened, but I'd probably cut my losses.
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GLK250
Thanks for the input, MB owners! Appreciate all the insight. Closing down this thread, and here is where I landed:
Dealer replace new TC for $3k or local certified MB mechanic to remove, refurbish, and install original TC for $1400.
Leaning towards the former as I may be about to relocate, and if I have issues done the road can approach a local MB dealer.
Thanks!
Dealer replace new TC for $3k or local certified MB mechanic to remove, refurbish, and install original TC for $1400.
Leaning towards the former as I may be about to relocate, and if I have issues done the road can approach a local MB dealer.
Thanks!
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From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: WI
GLK 250
AFAIK, the TC from the stealership will be a rebuilt unit, not factory brand-new, and as such the difference in price is just that of MB rebuilt with install vs local Indy shop rebuilding and install.
Even $3k is quite a bit, but with the warranty that MB includes on their work it may be more worthwhile to let them do it instead of the shop rebuilding yours. What's the shop's warranty by comparison?
Especially if you plan to relocate, I'd rather have the MB warranty in my pocket which should be good at any authorized MB stealership vs a local Indy shop.
I would also get rear diff fluid flushed and refilled. That way you know the entire driveline is bathed in new, fresh fluid. Then replace every 60K for peace of mind.
Good luck, all the best.
Even $3k is quite a bit, but with the warranty that MB includes on their work it may be more worthwhile to let them do it instead of the shop rebuilding yours. What's the shop's warranty by comparison?
Especially if you plan to relocate, I'd rather have the MB warranty in my pocket which should be good at any authorized MB stealership vs a local Indy shop.
I would also get rear diff fluid flushed and refilled. That way you know the entire driveline is bathed in new, fresh fluid. Then replace every 60K for peace of mind.
Good luck, all the best.
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
$3k seems reasonable, given the information on the fault diagnosis provided by the OP. It sounds related to the lockup-clutch, which is adjacent to the torque converter. It wouldn't surprise me if the lockup clutch and TC are replaced as one unit. Vibration with rpm is symptomatic of bad bearings or a slipping clutch.
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GLK250
Yes - the lockup clutch and TC are replaced as one unit. That was part of the diagnosis, too. Going with the dealer, as the local shop will be too far away (9hr drive) to of much use if I do need the 1yr 12k mile warranty. Appreciate the suggestion of replace differential fluid. Had not thought of that.
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From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Car is now 6 years old and heading into the costly service zone. Another alternative is to sell or trade the vehicle. Diesels are becoming less and less of an alternative as gasoline and hybrids become more efficient. I don't think you can buy a new diesel in Europe anymore. A vehicle coming off lease with CPO should be a consideration in this equation. If you buy another MB, he will do the service on your old car for cost and resell or wholesale off. Even a BMW or Lexus dealer will probably do the same so, the reduction in trade-in value for your car will be less than what it would cost for you to do it prior to trade-in. The new car will give you at least piece of mind while the warranty is good, and you might pick up an extended warranty, if you keep cars over 100k miles. Cars are so complicated now, with all the smog and mileage stuff, that a 200k miles car is almost a thing of the past. Yes I know some people get this but they should consider themselves lucky. This is one reason for the boom in leased vehicles.
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From: WI
GLK 250
I'd venture to say a 2013 model could've been built in late 2012, and we are just weeks away from 2020; hence my 7+ years calculation. But your point stands.
However, many of us prefer to keep our older vehicles running after they're paid off. At least until repairs become necessary to such an extent that you're always spending money fixing the thing or it's not reliable. If you're spending on repairs what you might spend on a new car payment, it's probably time for that new car!
However, many of us prefer to keep our older vehicles running after they're paid off. At least until repairs become necessary to such an extent that you're always spending money fixing the thing or it's not reliable. If you're spending on repairs what you might spend on a new car payment, it's probably time for that new car!
Out Of Control!!
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
200k miles is not a thing of the past. It is happening more and more each day. I ran two of my previous vehicles in excess of 200k and two others very near 200k. The last two were replaced by choice, not by necessity.
High mileage requires DIY repairs or a relationship with a repair shop that charges acceptable prices in the eyes of both the mechanic and the car owner.
High mileage requires DIY repairs or a relationship with a repair shop that charges acceptable prices in the eyes of both the mechanic and the car owner.
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GLK350
So part of my repair was the radiator, hoses, expansion tank, and thermostat bits, for a total of $10,089.55
I’ll have to double-check the paperwork, but I seem to remember that the transmission/torque converter portion was either $7,202, or $7,902.
