gunderwood21

Hi all,

I have a 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK350 4matic with 145,000 miles. I have the carfax and it was a one owner vehicle constantly maintained by its owners through a dealership or auto body shop throughout its life. I purchased the vehicle and have had it for some time. I've noticed that when RPM are between 1.2-2.2k after 15-20mph the vehicle shutters and the transmission seems to slip. I have good reason to believe it is the torque converter gone bad or it may need a full transmission fluid flush. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem, how they resolved it, and what the cost of that was? I have no interest in taking it to a dealer to be charged $3-5k for something that shouldn't be in that range. Please let me know, thank you!

calder-cay

So, you're stating if below 15mph or over 20mph, there is no shudder ?

If you're questioning whether it needs a tranny fluid change, might as well do it, if it's unclear when it was last done. I can't imagine it's a bad converter (but don't hold me to it).

We had a similar issue with my wife's E320 at about 300,000 miles. I swapped out the 2 engine mounts and tranny mount - issue went away. Not stating that is your issue, but something to consider. Same thing with our Jeep Wrangler at 130,000 miles (of course, the Jeep is exposed to waaaay more abuse , due to off-roading👍 )

Of course, shuddering can be difficult to narrow down.

John CC

Most scanners that can read Mercedes codes can tell you if the trans is slipping. My bet is the torque converter lock-up clutch is slipping. A fluid change might help, and there are also additives that claim to help. I'd try just fresh fluid first. Make sure whoever does it change the filter and drains the converter!

gunderwood21

I haven’t done the flush but I did try shudder fix, drive for about 20 miles, still happening. I’ve been told it can take a few days. Was planning on having a mechanic from our church give it a drive to see what he thinks. I can work on cars but this is a bit over me.

gunderwood21

Would Autozone or O’Reillys scanners pick it up or does it need a specific one?

John CC

I doubt it. I was thinking of one that could monitor in real time.

gunderwood21

Update: so far I’ve called about 20 mechanic/transmission shops.

most are saying about $2500 to have the torque converter replaced IF that’s what it is. Some say moisture may be in the fluid or something about bearings gone bad which one guy said would require an entire rebuild for $3600.

Mmr1

Start with changing the fluid and filter, drain torque converter, FCP euro will sell you the correct stuff. You don’t even know if it’s full!

calder-cay

So, you're calling all these shops and telling them it's the converter???
Not a good idea ... never make a suggestion, because they will jump all over the worse-case repair.

Any possible issue(s) analysis can only be done IN PERSON. Over the phone and you'll get all sorts of possibilities.

We always start with the simplest and least expensive possible fix. For example, a fluid change - quick and cheap.

My experience with owning and DIY repairs on all types of vehicles for over 40 years, I've never had a bad converter.
Not saying it isn't your issue for sure, but I'd be traveling other paths first.

Heck, my wife's E320 with over 300,000 miles (330k?) has never shown signs of a bad converter.
The major things I've done to that E320 is a new radiator, engine / tranny mounts, and brake pads.
Her 2014 GLK gas, with 93,000 miles - nothing except fluid changes and front brake pads / rotors.


Moisture in the tranny fluid? Have you checked the fluid for its appearance or for contamination?

Another thing to consider about the 4Matic ... it's 4-wheel drive, and is known for having issues with the front shaft /etc.
Have you considered that?

It's all speculation until you get a definitive analysis.

EDIT: also, are you getting any codes? there are torque converter codes that might be thrown. There's probably 10 or so codes.

Some signs of a bad torque converter | tranny:
Loss of acceleration
Slipping between gears
Refuses to shift
Transmission or engine overheating
Transmission fluid leak
​​​​​

gunderwood21

im not getting any codes. Planning to take it to a tranny shop and have a diagnostic ran. Trans slips and has loss of acceleration but it’s not rough shifting and no overheating/leaks.

Roadrashed

@Calder-cay - "a fluid change - quick and cheap" - LOL, I wish this was the case with the GLK transmission...

John CC

It's much cheaper than any of your other options, and cheaper still if you can do it yourself.

gunderwood21

What has been your experience with it?

gunderwood21

Update: took the car to a local tranny shop, said it was bad wheel bearing and was going to need replacement. Told me it also could affect the converter so it’ll run me about 3,000 for replacement of all the parts and electronics with 2-3 day labor.

Silver Shadow

The wheel bearing could affect the coverter? Not a chance, it's completely unrelated. A wheel bearing is a few hundred bucks parts and labour.

Bill F

If you tell them you believe it is the converter , then you get a quote for that as well.

gunderwood21

I misunderstood the mechanic. Something about the bushings and loss of pressure which causes shuttering and tranny skips. Quoted me 3k for a complete tranny rebuild. Getting a second opinion by another tranny shop tomorrow

John CC

Hog Wash! The entire transmission and differential is between the wheel bearing and the converter. That's like saying you stubbed your toe and it gave you brain cancer.

calder-cay

quote: "GLK350 4matic with 145,000 miles. I have the carfax and it was a one owner vehicle constantly maintained by its owners through a dealership or auto body shop throughout its life." end-quote

I've commented previously. I'm shocked that a vehicle that's been "constantly maintained" has this catastrophic tranny issue.

300,000 miles on 2001 E320, never any tranny issues. 135,000 on the 2001 Jeep Wrangler (constant off roading and is used to tow a trailer for bails of horse feed, hay, alfalfa), zero tranny issues.
2014 GLK 350 gas with 93,000 miles -zero tranny probs.

Has the fluid been checked for odd coloring? Odor? Grit?? Is the level low?

A tranny shop will ALWAYS concentrate on the tranny, and maximize a quote.

If it is a bad tranny, I'd say the previous owner may not have been as forthright as one would hope with past work (not performed). Or this vehicle has a lemony tranny.

Personally, I'd take it to an independent MB shop that does everything, not just tranny's, cause they will consider every possible issue. As I mentioned, 4Matics have a history of front shafts (bearings etc) going south.

BTW, why mention the previous owner taking the vehicle to a body shop ??

John CC

If I were in your position I'd change the fluid before I laid out $3K for an overhaul. (Actually, $3K is pretty close to "too good to be true".)

calder-cay

Yep, there's been 2-3 recommendations to change the fluid first.

And personally, if it IS a faulty tranny (very odd) and it's our 2014 GLK, we'd go buy a low mileage GLx , (whatever they're called today), vs $3k on a tranny fix.

Why? Because, if that vehicle has a bad tranny at only 130k (supposedly well maintained), it's no telling what other catastrophic probs will show up soon.

Silver Shadow

It's interesting you would say that. This is almost how Bob Marely died. What looked like a bruise under his toe nail fom a soccer injury turned out to be acral lentiginous melanoma. He later died from it at age 36.

AMGJones0

Actually he knew on the long run, but didn't pay much attention to it probably because his believe was against amputation or rather it was his time to die..