Final decision on tranny service?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
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2001 ML320
Final decision on tranny service?
Hello all. I've asked about doing a transmission flush and service on my 2001 Ml320 on a previous thread. I'd like to thank DrX and art_arev for their patient and careful instruction on that previous thread. But now that the spring is coming, I have to make a decision as to follow through with the service or drive the car as is. On one side I have two mechanics saying it's too late to service and if I do, the tranny won't work. On the other side of things, I have DrX and art_arev (thank you again, you guys are awesome) saying that nothing will happen and I will enjoy many more hundred miles of motoring.
The car is currently at ~108,500mi (174,600km) and often shifts roughly between 2nd and 1st when decelerating to a stop sign or when crawling in traffic. When I say roughly, at its worst it's like a light clunk, and at its best, a very small shove. Upshifts seem kinda slow, but I don't think thats a problem so much as the tranny is just like that. I've gotten used to driving in such a way that I can predict when it will happen so it doesn't shift as roughly, so its bearable, but still annoying. By no means is the car un-drivable, otherwise I wouldn't have been doing donuts in the mall parking lot during the most recent snowstorm.
So, should I do the tranny service or not?
The car is currently at ~108,500mi (174,600km) and often shifts roughly between 2nd and 1st when decelerating to a stop sign or when crawling in traffic. When I say roughly, at its worst it's like a light clunk, and at its best, a very small shove. Upshifts seem kinda slow, but I don't think thats a problem so much as the tranny is just like that. I've gotten used to driving in such a way that I can predict when it will happen so it doesn't shift as roughly, so its bearable, but still annoying. By no means is the car un-drivable, otherwise I wouldn't have been doing donuts in the mall parking lot during the most recent snowstorm.
So, should I do the tranny service or not?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 31
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2003 Black E320
I think you should do a tranny service and also have the transmission and engine mounts checked. Although you only have 108k on your odo the truck is still a 2001 so flushing the tranny is not a bad idea.
I recently acquired a 2002 ML500 with 169k on the odo. The engine and transmission both feel great, however, I am going to change the oil and do a drop and fill and replace the filter on the tranny. The following week I will drain and fill both differentials and the transfer case.
I have a 2003 E320 that has the same transmission. It has an intermittent slight shudder when decelerating. I have dropped and replaced the fluid twice and replaced the filter. The tranny does not display any codes. My next step will be to replace the computer plate and solenoids on the valve body. If that does not fix it, I will replace the torque converter.
I recently acquired a 2002 ML500 with 169k on the odo. The engine and transmission both feel great, however, I am going to change the oil and do a drop and fill and replace the filter on the tranny. The following week I will drain and fill both differentials and the transfer case.
I have a 2003 E320 that has the same transmission. It has an intermittent slight shudder when decelerating. I have dropped and replaced the fluid twice and replaced the filter. The tranny does not display any codes. My next step will be to replace the computer plate and solenoids on the valve body. If that does not fix it, I will replace the torque converter.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2001 ML320
I think you should do a tranny service and also have the transmission and engine mounts checked. Although you only have 108k on your odo the truck is still a 2001 so flushing the tranny is not a bad idea.
I recently acquired a 2002 ML500 with 169k on the odo. The engine and transmission both feel great, however, I am going to change the oil and do a drop and fill and replace the filter on the tranny. The following week I will drain and fill both differentials and the transfer case.
I have a 2003 E320 that has the same transmission. It has an intermittent slight shudder when decelerating. I have dropped and replaced the fluid twice and replaced the filter. The tranny does not display any codes. My next step will be to replace the computer plate and solenoids on the valve body. If that does not fix it, I will replace the torque converter.
I recently acquired a 2002 ML500 with 169k on the odo. The engine and transmission both feel great, however, I am going to change the oil and do a drop and fill and replace the filter on the tranny. The following week I will drain and fill both differentials and the transfer case.
I have a 2003 E320 that has the same transmission. It has an intermittent slight shudder when decelerating. I have dropped and replaced the fluid twice and replaced the filter. The tranny does not display any codes. My next step will be to replace the computer plate and solenoids on the valve body. If that does not fix it, I will replace the torque converter.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2001 ML320
On a serious note though, I baby the the car most of the time considering the trans isn't feeling 100%. But like I said, its not un-drivable or incapable in any sense. If I tell it to go, it'll go, but not as elegantly as it should.
