fun33

18,000 miles on my 2017 SL550. Suddenly a problem while driving at moderate speeds. Transmission made low-level noise before moving to a higher gear. I then used the paddle shifters to shift up and down multiple times and the problem seems to have disappeared. When I returned home, I checked the transmission fluid level and it was low. There have never been any fluid stains on the garage floor where the SL is parked. Even though the problem seemed to be resolved, I had the car flatbed trucked to my MB dealer one hour away. The dealer now has the car and is troubleshooting this issue. At no time did I get any warning lights like check engine etc.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem with their similar 2014-2021 SL? If yes, what was your outcome?

Hoping this is just a case of low transmission fluid but I cannot understand why there have never been any floor stains under the vehicle. I purchased this car CPO when it had 2,800 miles on it. I assumed the transmission fluid level was checked by the dealer before my purchase. The transmission has never been serviced prior to this incident.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

1. How did you check the transmission fluid level? It can only be done by removing the drain plug with the fluid at a specific temperature.
2. Get a Mercedes-specific scanner and scan for codes. DO NOT rely on dash lights to warn you of problems.

fun33

Pulled the transmission fluid dip stick and checked while fluid was both hot and cold. Car is at MB dealer now to determine the problem.

Hoping someone on this forum may have experienced the same problem and how it was resolved.

Streamliner

Is your car still under the CPO warranty or an extended one?

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Sorry, I didn't know your tranny had a transmission dip stick. I'd love to see where it is at. Can you post a pic?

fun33

The car is at the MB dealer right now. The dipstick on the 2017 SL550 is in the right rear of the engine compartment against the firewall. Has a red cap on it.

fun33

Not under any warranty currently. We need to wait for the estimate and make a decision if it is worth it to fix. I'm willing to pay up to 25% of the SL's current market price. Hoping it will be something minor but fully realize it could be goodbye time. I was hoping this post might reach out to someone who had this same transmission issue and how it was (or was not) fixed.

hornethandler

Right rear as in the passenger side?

Have you considered an Indy shop for an estimate?
​​​​​​​I hope it all works out and that it's nothing too serious.

Streamliner

My feeling is that taking a car to a dealer when it is not covered by a warranty, is like asking the fox to watch the chicken coop. As of late, my confidence in the ethics of dealer service departments is at an all time low. The SA's are under the gun to run bills up as much as they can. At the very least, once they diagnose the issue, you should ask an indy shop for an estimate based on the dealer diagnosis. The very best of luck to you.

Montreal300

On my 2014 SL550, the only dip stick with a red cap is on the drivers side near the rear of the engine. It for engine oil not transmission oil.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

It was like that on my 2004 SL500 with the M113 engine. The trannies are sealed. My 2015 SL400 does NOT have a separate tube from the dipstick tube. On the 2004 SL, oil level was measured electronically, which I never trusted. The oil tube was to be used for diagnostic purposes, I guess. It would require a special temporary dipstick to measure the oil level mechanically.

Unless the newer 9-speed or the 7-speed MCT trannies have a transmission tube, @fun33 measured the wrong fluid. It will be interesting to see what the dealer says.

hornethandler

I'm wondering the same thing (possibly "measured the wrong fluid") as I don't have a tranny dip stick either.
Hopefully they'll get back with a pic of the tube they referenced.

THORGOD

My thought is Fun33's car has ABC Suspension and what he experienced was failure of the ABC Pulsation Damper. I had that part fail on my 2009 Silver Arrow and on my 2013 SL550. When they fail it'll send the strangest noise, vibration, sensation, growl through the whole car and just won't take off from a traffic light the way it should. I currently own a 2020 SL550 and have previously owned a 2013 and neither had or have a dipstick for the transmission. The transmission fluid can only be checked by the prescribed method JettaRed noted in his post. It should be interesting to hear what's going on with his SL550.


Thor

fun33

What was the cost of replacing your ABC Pulsation Damper? Did it resolve your problem? Your description of the sounds is very similar to what I experienced. When you had the problem, was it intermittent? Did it appear to be resolved before replacing the ABC Pulsation Damper and then return?

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Do you have an ABC suspension?

Maybe if you post your VIN, we can see how the car was configured.

fun33

It has ABC and just about every accessory & package available in 2017. VIN is WDDJK7DA3HF045054.

The MB dealership just called. They told me the transmission fluid was "filled" with shredded metal. They checked out the ABC and could not find any issues with it. They recommended replacing the entire transmission for $11,000 with a 24-month parts and labor warranty. I have authorized the repair.

I think the car was worth @ $45,000 before the transmission damage. The car is truly in like new condition with only 18,000 miles. I have never loved any car I have ever owned more than this. I was willing to pay up to 25% of the car's current value for the repair, so I'm a bit poorer but happy I could salvage it. Time will tell if it was a good decision.

rmorin49

Yikes, I hope you get many pleasurable miles with the new transmission.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Did the dealership offer any explanation as to why or how this could happen?

toolguy4u

sounds fishy, full of metal ?? and it worked fine with manual shifting. . . . I'd want to see the trans, fluid and filter. . why at only 18k miles?
Kinda doesn't make sense.