604benz

Hi Guys my transmission is making a howling noise in park and low speeds, my indy mechanic told me its the transmission pump but dealer said there is no pump just the torque converter, is this right.
Also dealer quoted me $2400 for converter, i've seen them online for $1200.
Has anyone replaced their torque converter, how much did it cost.
Any input appreciated

Ausmbtech

Sounds like your dealer needs a lesson in the inner workings of a automatic transmission. Of course it has a oil pump!!!

Howling noises from the convertor housing is usually the oil pump bushings, it's usually loudest if you listen to the oil cooler line from to the oil cooler.

604benz

Thanks for that info, any idea if its an expensive repair

amx1397

I have a spare, redbulljnky is testing it now, to make sure his is good or bad ,if he does not need it , i'll take 200 + shipping for it. I will try to get the part# from it in a few days, jim

604benz

Any idea what a new one costs?

amx1397

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...vv4M90Bqyh9LRw

$700.00

Ausmbtech

Gearbox out and disassembled for this job, quotes will vary.
If it's low milage and dealer serviced I'd approach them for a goodwill repair.

josephpampliega

Can also be both pump and torque converter ($325). In worse case, sometimes torque converter housing. Just changed mine last week.

What happens is the OE oil pump bushing fails and binds onto torque converter shaft which turns the oil pump ($500). Once that happens, the oil pump gears grind onto the torque converter housing ($600).

If your lucky you can sometimes sand down the burrs using a DA detailer sander or if you have the resource you can have the torque converter housing CNC milled.

This has happened to not just one, but all my Mercedes with 722.9 transmissions that I decided to start changing them myself.

Torque Converter 2212500502 (remanufactured) - Torco Enterprise - www.torqueconverter1.com ($325 shipped, no core required)

Oil Pump 7222700197 (latest rev.) (OE) - www.parts.com ($500 shipped) (you can also replace bushing with improved aftermarket bushing ($35) made by Sonax if the pump gears and housing are not damaged)

Torque Converter Housing 2112711501 (OE) - www.parts.com ($600 shipped)

Pictures is of the torque converter with spun bushing and torque converter housing off my 2007 S550.

I really think there is a design flaw with the oil pump bushing spinning off the oil pump housing. All my vehicles have been purchased new, and ATF changed at 1K then every 30K. I take care of my vehicles. I just accepted that it will eventually happen on any MB with 722.9 transmission regardless of care.

Next year when I purchase the W222 I will definitely purchase with extended warranty, one claim with the transmission will make it well worth it. Many will say your lucky to hit 80K miles and not have failure. I use to purchase these cars thinking extended warranty is not needed, I guess times have changed.

Good luck.

BTW, in my opinion this is one of the easiest cars to replace the transmission on due to the amount of room available around the bell housing (tool marks and scratches are unacceptable, should look untouched when completed). I being only a MB hobbyist/restorer and not a professional took 7 hours total removal/reinstallation on the W221. I'll post more pictures of the clearance and space I worked with to accomplish.

604benz

Great info thanks alot, it's going into my indy shop for diagnostics on Monday, i'll keep you guys informed.

desired_speeds

its not uncommon for 07s to get torque convertor problems. I don't think Ive seen any 08+ models have the issues though.

Sully114

This exact scenario has just happened to my 07 E320 CDI sport. I think this must be a design flaw. Im suprised there isnt some kind of notch for the inner pump gear to sit on, so this doesnt happen...On my car the inner oil pump gear has spun on the torque converter input flange/bushing. Im hoping I can get the torque converter remanifactured by a local company so I dont have to buy a new one..One thing you mention is the upgraded bushing made by Sonax, does this part sit on the torque converter input flange and sit under the inner oil pump gear? Also I see on 722.6 transmissions you can replace the inner pump gear without having to replace the whole oil pump.. Is this not the case on 722.9? After taking a close look at mine the only thing that is damaged is the inner pump gear and torque converter input flange/bushing.. Would be nice to get away with a relitively cheap fix here if possible.

1blessedmale

I just purchased a CPO S550 and 5 days in I have to get the Torque converter replaced which requires them to drop the tranny, and I am without my "new" car for the next 10-14 days!

clvincent

is this torque converter and oil pump issue resolved by the 2012-2013 models?
knowing mercedes i doubt it but thought i would ask....

1blessedmale

I don't think so, I have a 2012 that I had for 10 days and had to place it back in the shop because every morning it has trouble accelerating and it has a weird jerk around 40mph. The dealership says its the Torque converter... So much for a CPO Mercedes!

Weems

If your engine light come on, your mechanic scans it and it comes back as the torque converter lockup clutch control solenoid valve has failed, does it and the transmission have to be replaced?

ny12577

only in the mornings would accelerate and car would hesitate bad. only once and only in the AM. Under warranty replacing the torque converter and solenoid.

greglig

Hi josephpampliega, thanks for the great info and photos. What are the rebuilt converters like? I've had trouble in the past and one of my friends with a trans shop in Australia has also had problem with rebuilt converters.

Also did you have any odd problems with getting the trans out? What I mean is stupid stuff that you would not think of.

100% agree with you about no sledge hammer marks anywhere when removing things. As i worked for the trade in Australia i've seen it all. One of the best I can remember was a Chrysler immobilisers key reader coil, the mechanic could not wok out how to remove it so literally tore it off breaking the housing in the process and then said "nothing a cable tie wont fix".

Cheers.

greglig

Hi all, are there any early warning signs of this problem? I can sometimes hear a slight clunking in time with engine rpm but only when I'm creeping 0-10 Kph (0-6 Mph) and typically when the engine is hot. Climate need to be either off or the fan very low and windows up otherwise it's drowned out by other noises.

Car has 125k Km (77K miles) so it's right around the area of failure I guess. Car originally come from Italy so it's from warm climate if that makes a difference.

This noise may be normal as I remember A purge solenoid making a similar noise on another car I worked on years ago, still seems odd as it's in time with the engine speed??

Cheers.