britton

Took my 2003 clk320 in for service. Found out there is radiator coolant in transmission. They have mentioned to flush the tramsmission or replace it.
It is under warranty till dec. Would like any information on this.
What should I do? Thanks Britton

C32AMG/02

Replace it, if you don’t, over time the clutch material will peel off the clutch disc. With glycol contamination the transmission will fail.

amgme

shouldn't there be a recall for this or are they hoping warranty will run out on these cars and make the owner fork over the repair costs? obviously there's a major problem w/ the coolant in the transmission. is mb just gonna wait till it happens? no wonder they got a negative rating in consumer reports.

sosh

Cause is most likely a leak in the trans cooler that must be corrected. Get a new trans if possible. You are under warranty take it to the dealer and leave it in their hands. Had this happen to me twice in a BMW.

MBTech21

There is a DTB on this, you will get a new radiator, as well as a new trans!!

AWDman

i'm starting to fear i have contamination. once the low speed vibration is felt is it too late? would a new rad and tranny flush be of any help?

85380SE

Demand a brand new transmission and radiator!

Keep us posted!

C32AMG/02

. Transmission coolant contamination is more prevalent with a valeo aluminum transmission fluid heat exchanger radiator, some had the logo on top of the radiator, another way to identify the radiator was how the core was mounted to the tank, I don’t remember exactly how it was mounted, I have the bulletin at my shop, I will post it this coming week.

I would send a fluid sample to http://www.blackstone-labs.com have it tested for coolant contamination. Identify the radiator, if its valeo radiator, change it, even if the sample comes back clean, that transmission cooler will eventually fail. It the transmission is contaminated with coolant yes flush the transmission, and change the filter.


That 2nd to 3rd Bump shift at light throttle is common in C32; I have seen a lot of owners post about it. If MB thinks it’s related to coolant contamination, they should pay for any repairs, even if it’s out of warranty.

AWDman

thanks for the input guys. this was extensively discussed on the c32 forum. the one thing i didn't know is if the tranny could be saved if flushed in time. all the folks with prob had it happen in warranty and had convertors and trannys changed. so i hope that the new rad, flush and new filter saves my *** from a beating by the wife :-)

the issue is with valeo 2002 rads, which is what's in my car. i have a brand new behr ready to go in.

sadly i'm out of warranty as of 9/06 and i don't fancy my chances of having mb pay for any repairs at this point.

my plan is as Steve said- change rad, change fluid saving some for analysis. if i have contamination i will have to see how the car feels after flush. i'm realy pissed at myself as i should have addressed this years ago. "a stich in time saves nine".

Steve- can you handle this job? you aren't too far from me. newberg? (i'm been dealing with the "stealership" up to now). like i said, i have the rad, just need to pick up the filter and tranny fluid from mb.

babason

Hi AWDman,
insist that the dealer replaces the transmission and the radiator and flushes the lines. Its a recognised failing with those rads, and you should be entitled to a replacement as long as you have serviced the vehicle correctly/regularly and can prove it. Mb should either do the whole job 100% free or make a high contribution towards the cost.

mention Goodwill gesture and eskalab... to the dealer.

It shouldnt matter that you are out of warranty

babason.

C32AMG/02

I could not remember the brand and I thought of Behr radiators because in 1985 they had the same problem in 300Ds, coolant contamination, with aluminum radiators, in 1986 the radiators were changed to brass.

I will edit my post; we don’t what misinformation floating in cyber space.

IT sucks to grow old.

.
I can handle it; call me Monday, 845 567 0312. I hope I am not breaking any rules, since I am not a sponsor.

AWDman

i will call them in the am. my SA, with whom i had a great relationship- moved to the porsche side. i was dealing with another SA who was less than cooperative and now he's gone.

plus, one look under the hood and these guys may start giving me grief.

my wife insists i'm wrong. she claims the car was like this when it came back from the stg2 and exhaust install. i started car today and yes there is a resonance at 1500-2000 rpm so maybe she's right; it may be the exhaust. (i assume the tranny does not cause a vibration is in park). any which way the new rad is going in and the fluid is being flushed or changed.

Steve, i'll give you a call in am. i made conact with you that should not pose a prob.

cnterline

get the NEW tranny it will fail

AWDman

Hey Steve. Here's the thread re IC pump replacement. Sorry I didn't print it out. See you tomorrow. (for radiator and IC replacment, tranny flush etc)

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/146457-1fastc32-s-cheep-intercooler-pump-replacement.html

will post update on findings after Steve is done. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the vibration is the new supersprint exhaust just bolted on.

sales@eurocharged.com

So, you guys are saying the MB should/will change the defective radiator and fix any issues associated with it?

AWDman

THANK YOU STEVE!

mastertech tranmissions is a farily large shop. 5 lifts i think. Steve is the original owner of a black c32 amg plus has some very cool cars including a 928

Steve installed the baer radiator, flushed the tranny, installed the lighting IC pump, installed my clear fogs.

my fears regarding coolant contamination were basically unfounded. Steve commented the fluid looked in good shape so i didn't bother to have it analysed. the vibration i was feeling was coming from my new supersprint exhaust touching a bit on the car's frame. my c32 runs smooth i can't remember it being like this before. the wife noticed as well.

so, all's well that ends well. i'm basically ready for my track days. if i have trouble putting down the stage 2 power then I will return to Steve for a LSD as he is a quaife dealer.

Steve will also be installing a LSD and bigger crown wheel/pinion on my track car a suzuki swift GT.

Steve/Mastertech came through for me and have my 100% recommendation.

rlee02135

also had this problem...they replaced the transmission, radiator and torque converter under warranty

C32AMG/02

I love those fog lights. I am happy you’re satisfied with the job it did. Thank you.


My shop has 7 lifts.

mendy9677

I have a 2003 c240 4-matic, and I have the coolant in the tranmission problem. Unfortuantely, i am just out of warranty and did not know about this problem before hand. I now need a new tranny, torque-converter and radiator. MB will only agree to cover half the cost, which means I am still out between 4-5k. I have searched and it looks like the c32's have this problem the most. Is this a problem that other models have as well? Where can I find info on if there has ever been any TSB's issued on this? Any info will be helpful. Thanks.

mleskovar

How far is "just"? Do you know if there was ever a service order that mentions transmission problems during the warranty of the car? Go to: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/122140-w203-technical-service-bulletins.html

KJI3jflarryfe93

Hey fellow mb owners i'd need to know if this problems also occur on the c-klasse 202,my car is a C43 AMG 1999, did mercedes use bad coolers from the brand VALEO on the c-klasse 202,I'm getting worried about reading scary topics like this cheers mates.