REX0000

Hi,

I have a 2003 c class currently at the dealer for rough shifting (accelerating 1st gear-2nd, & coming to a stop 2-1) with an audible thud/clunk sound.

This is the 3rd tiem my car has been in the shop for this issue. First time was Dec 2006: transmission fluid leak was found and fixed with transmission fluid replaced. Clunking did not resolve.

2nd time in shop about 2 weeks ago: valve body conductor plate replaced: clunking still not resolved.

3rd time in shop (now): SA informed me that coolant was found in the tranny and they will replace only the torque converter and radiator, but not the transmission.

I have read on the forums here that people with similar issues have had the transmission replaced as well.

According to this TSB https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....83&postcount=3

Tranny is only replaced if glycol contamination exceeds 400 mg/liter.

SA could not tell me what the exact level of contamination is on my car. I called today and requested this info. I asked why the tech decided not to change the transmission and response i got was

"Because it doesn't need to be changed."


My concern is: Aren't the results of the glycol test inaccurate since my trans fluid was changed back in December?

Do i need the trans replaced?

Please advise. Thanks.

splinter

Because the clunking problem still has not yet been resolved, try working with your service advisor. Wasn’t your original issue four months ago to correct the transmission clunk? It seems the SA and his technicians have been throwing parts at the problem, and yet your original complaint still remains. To my way of thinking, antiquated as it may be, is that he has not corrected the problem you wanted (and paid to have) rectified. That is not your fault, it’s his! The leak is another known issue that, of course, has no effect on shift quality.

By “working with your SA”, I simply mean that it behooves you to have him on your side. Strive to build a mutually beneficial relationship, rather than an adversarial one. It’s wise that you’ve educated yourself on this forum about the known W203 issues. We know about them, and the dealers (via WIS) know. It’s incumbent upon the dealer to repair the car correctly, the first time. That obviously has not been the case thus far with you and your dealer. It’s not up to the consumer to choose the best course of action to best facilitate a repair, and correct a drivability complaint. That’s his job, and thus far he has failed to do it properly.

If renewing the transmission fluid and replacing the torque converter fix the problem, consider yourself lucky. If they don’t, then yes, you’ll most likely need a new transmission to fix it. Nothing more frustrating than somebody performing *****-nilly exploratory surgery with your dollars.

The service advisors have a lot of clout with MBUSA and dealer management as to how problems can best be resolved. If he’s having a bad day, don’t let him take it out on you. Good luck, and please do let us know how this all works out.

REX0000

I picked up my car. So far no more clunking sound, but the 2-1 downshift feels jerky.

According to the invoice: TEST AND REPAIRS PER DTB-P-B-27.55/50F PERF GLYCOL TEST. FOUND GLYCOL OVER 400 PPM."

In summary, the radiator and torque converter were replaced and the transmission was flushed.

Again, referring to post https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....83&postcount=3

The transmission should be replaced if glycol is over 400, but i notice that is according to P-B-27.55/50a whereas on my invoice it seems to be an updated version P-B-27.55/50F

Can anyone please confirm that P-B-27.55/50F no longer calls for replacement of the transmission?

Thanks.

C230 Sport Coup

Man 400 ml per liter is almost 1/2 !!
That'd mean the tranny fluid would be about flowing
over! Or perhaps it ends up in the radiator?
Wow....

MBTech21

Yes, the F version of the dtb says do not replace the transmission, which i find ridiculous, but it is all MB wants to pay for. Just keep all your documentation, in case you have further problems

dgrideout

I'm not a benz tech but I am a transmission tech, rebuilding MB transmissions since 1969. I can see them wanting to replace the radiator and not the transmission and converter if they did not feel there was enough coolant to be a problem. And I can see them replacing both if they felt other wise. But to replace the radiator and torque converter and not the transmission does not make sense. If the converter is contaminated, so is the transmission. If you put a new converter in the contaminated transmission, you now have contaminated your new converter. Personally, I would want to do both or none. But thats just my opnion.

211E350Black

if you put a new torque convertor in the car would you flush the trans fuild anyways

dgrideout

Yes, if you are going to replace just the converter only, then definitely flush the unit real well. Good Luck

REX0000

So about 3 weeks ago was when the torque converter and radiator were replaced, along with a transmission flush. Well, today when i came to a stop at a stop sign, my car starts shaking, and the engine makes hesitating sounds at idle. I immediately pulled over and shut the car off. Restarted after a few mins, but the problem still exists and did not resolve with subsequent, periodic restarts of the engine. No CEL or other error messages. I didn' t feel safe driving it so I had the car towed back to my place (this happened around 7PM) and will have it towed to the dealer in the morning.

Any thoughts on what could be going on here?

mcleantmw

I have a 2003 E500 and recently had the transmission line connector inside the radiator break causing coolant to get into my transmission. I noticed the car started to vibrate a little (like rough road sensation) and took it to my MB Dealer where I bought the car used in 2005 with only 21,000 miles. They replaced the radiator and the torque converter but not the full transmission. Of course they flushed and replaced the coolant and trans. fluid. But I know notice a slight "feeling" when the transmission downshifts when I come to a slow stop at a traffic signal.....also a little abnormal shift when accelerating quickly. I'm six months into my MB extended two year warranty but I want the entire transmission replaced if the shifting starts to get worse.

harkgar

Dig those Denabolas on your E500.

Excuse my ignorance but how would radiator coolant get into the transmission or torque converter? The radiator is supposed to cool only the engine and if there is a transmission cooler it normally uses oil not ethylene glycol for cooling. There should not be any connexions between the two.

If this is not the case do you know if there is ethylene glycol transmission cooling in my 2006 E320 CDi?

REX0000

Wow that is exactly how I would describe what I am experiencing now as well after the repairs. I hope things don't get worse...

mcleantmw

The transmission fluid line is connected through the radiator for cooling the transmission fluid. Apparently there is a design flaw in the connection which is located inside the radiator and when that connection breaks, it allows coolant to enter into the line and contaminate the transmission fluid. If you review the E500 section on this Discussion Group, you'll find some other owners of the 2003 E500 model like mine that have had the same problem.

benz-tech

if you have over 60k miles, you could be experiencing the typical plug wire breakdown. yes our plugs will go 100k miles but the wires only last 60-70. makes perfect sense. also possible something was left loose from the last repair. hope they resolve it for you soon.

pookie

I think this is my new current problem. I replaced the tires thinking it was lack of traction, but I still have the rough shift from 1-2. At a stop light, there is a slight nudge, a very rough downshift. If I press the w/s button, I can replicate the nudge.

I looked at my coolant level, it is low. Ie., it is half way down the plastic container. I have not seen anything leaking under the car. I am also having a problem with my a/c, which is constantly on even though it is on '0' and the air is less cool. Not sure if these problems are all related or separate.

vettdvr

YES oil from the converter goes to the transmission pan then through the pump to the transmission and converter. However I reserve any comment on replacement without more information on condition of the unit.

pilotsmith

Does anyone know exactly which models and what year are subject to this fault? (Poor radiator design allowing coolant into transmission.)

pookie

Model 203.040/061/064/065/081/084/261/264/281/284/740/747/764
Model 209.365/375/376/465/475
Model 211.065/070/076/083/265/283

from:https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....83&postcount=3

pilotsmith

Hi Pookie,

Thanks for the post! I am a complete newbie to the MB scene. My son just got a 2000 C280 Sport. Not sure how to translate those model numbers to make and year in terms I can understand. With the horror stories I've read I am thinking about replacing the radiator on the car if it has one of the Valeo radiators in it that are prone to leak. For a couple hundred bucks I can get an aftermarket radiator and put it in myself. Wondering if wise to do that as the car has no warranty.

pookie

this TSB, does not apply to your car, a w202.###

pilotsmith

Thanks!!! I was worried about that. Now there is one less thing for me to worry about!

pookie

Update:

Car is getting a new transmission. I'll update again later when I get the car back.

pookie

final update:

fastest service ever.

they change the transmission to a new one, so far so good. no jerking of any type.

also, fixed my a/c and suspension.


all fixed under the extended warranty (actual prices were not listed either).

edit: forgot to add that since my alarm was not working, they fixed that as well. not only does it now work again with the panic button, but when unlocking/locking the car makes a cute beep sound.