SL/R129: 2001 SL500 Transmission Problem
01-24-2021, 10:27 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
2001 SL500 Transmission Problem
Hi
My son in college drives my old 01 SL - it only has 80k miles on it, and 3 months after spending 3.5 k on rotors/brakes and other odds and ends including changing the transmission fluid the clutch and transmission fluid pump went out. I thought the transmission and engine are built to last forever and you get killed on other things.
The dealer wanted 7k for a new rebuilt transmission but as it already needs a new soft top for 2k we are thinking it is time to put it on craigslist for 3k as a project or parts car. Are there any other options like finding an Indy to only repair the clutch and pump or is that a foolish idea? We do not have the mechanical skills to take on a job like that.
The car is in really nice condition for 20 years old - considering I suspect he was racing it in high school (probably why the clutch is fried) - the tire dealer used to ask me if it was a track car when I was getting only 7k mile on the Michelin Super Sports
On my old 1991 SL after putting 14k into it - all the hydraulic top lifters went out and my independent mechanic fried the computer while jumping it and then died before he fixed it. (We could not even find the computer and apparently the timing of the top lifters is an extremely difficult repair) he was a kind old fellow from Germany. His son is slowly giving me some compensation over the last 6 years and I am not the suing type.
Thanks
My son in college drives my old 01 SL - it only has 80k miles on it, and 3 months after spending 3.5 k on rotors/brakes and other odds and ends including changing the transmission fluid the clutch and transmission fluid pump went out. I thought the transmission and engine are built to last forever and you get killed on other things.
The dealer wanted 7k for a new rebuilt transmission but as it already needs a new soft top for 2k we are thinking it is time to put it on craigslist for 3k as a project or parts car. Are there any other options like finding an Indy to only repair the clutch and pump or is that a foolish idea? We do not have the mechanical skills to take on a job like that.
The car is in really nice condition for 20 years old - considering I suspect he was racing it in high school (probably why the clutch is fried) - the tire dealer used to ask me if it was a track car when I was getting only 7k mile on the Michelin Super Sports
On my old 1991 SL after putting 14k into it - all the hydraulic top lifters went out and my independent mechanic fried the computer while jumping it and then died before he fixed it. (We could not even find the computer and apparently the timing of the top lifters is an extremely difficult repair) he was a kind old fellow from Germany. His son is slowly giving me some compensation over the last 6 years and I am not the suing type.
Thanks
01-25-2021, 01:10 PM
#2
Senior Member
You may find an Indy that is willing to take this on. The clutch/fluid pump failure is the most common malfunction and is the front assembly when starting the disassembly to overhaul. Repairing just the pump is minor labor/time as compared to full teardown/overhaul. However, there is still the R and R time of an hour or so. A full reseal and replace clutch linings and seals,shims, etc is
a full 8 hrs for a skilled, competent tech
a full 8 hrs for a skilled, competent tech
01-26-2021, 01:42 AM
#3
Member
Sun Valley Mercedes transmissions here in socal can sell you a rebuilt tranny with all the updates and fixes for only $2500. They're #1 for mercedes trannies. Then you just would need to pay like 1k in labor for the swap out.
How did you know the tranny pump and clutch went? Were fluid and filter changes done correctly with the right parts?
Btw where are you located? maybe ill buy it...
How did you know the tranny pump and clutch went? Were fluid and filter changes done correctly with the right parts?
Btw where are you located? maybe ill buy it...
Last edited by sushipaste; 01-26-2021 at 01:56 AM.
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01-26-2021, 05:11 PM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
The Local authorized dealer in Westminster Colorado is who I took it to for the diagnosis. They also did the fluid changes and have always been quite dependable - I am even friends with the service manager.
It seems suspicious that a few months after the fluid change these things went out - but another poster here said these failures are common.
The car is sitting in my son's driveway in Boulder Colorado.
It seems suspicious that a few months after the fluid change these things went out - but another poster here said these failures are common.
The car is sitting in my son's driveway in Boulder Colorado.
