Transmission flush at dealer, now car wont move
#1
Transmission flush at dealer, now car wont move
My car has 115k on it. Ive owned it for 3 years now and never had any issues. Making some decent cash these days I decided along with the oil change, I would do a transmission fluid change because Ive never had it done or know if it was ever done.
So the dealer charges me $417 for both the oil and tranny service. Two weeks later, Im coming home from work just fine, catch a light, stop, try to go and she stutters and limps and wont move. I slowly coast to the side of the road and shes toast.
Towed it back to the dealer the next day and now they say I need a new transmission for $5300. Im heated. What could they have fouled up? Can I call mbusa on them? I havent spoken to them directly, they left a voicemail and I havent been able to call back.
What can i do in terms of liability on them. Always dealer maintained and I basically paid them to break my transmission.
Need suggestions on either getting them to fix or replace the transmission. Or should I source a shop to rebuild if they refuse.
Any ideas would be appreciated, Im not too pleased at the moment.
So the dealer charges me $417 for both the oil and tranny service. Two weeks later, Im coming home from work just fine, catch a light, stop, try to go and she stutters and limps and wont move. I slowly coast to the side of the road and shes toast.
Towed it back to the dealer the next day and now they say I need a new transmission for $5300. Im heated. What could they have fouled up? Can I call mbusa on them? I havent spoken to them directly, they left a voicemail and I havent been able to call back.
What can i do in terms of liability on them. Always dealer maintained and I basically paid them to break my transmission.
Need suggestions on either getting them to fix or replace the transmission. Or should I source a shop to rebuild if they refuse.
Any ideas would be appreciated, Im not too pleased at the moment.
#3
Sorry to hear this.
Hard to prove anything two weeks later. I doubt they will cover it in anyway.
How did they determine it needs a new transmission. What is the failure?
I do not flush transmissions. Just drop the pan and do an filter change and replace the drained fluid. Flushes can knock things loose and remove the old "varnish".
Hard to prove anything two weeks later. I doubt they will cover it in anyway.
How did they determine it needs a new transmission. What is the failure?
I do not flush transmissions. Just drop the pan and do an filter change and replace the drained fluid. Flushes can knock things loose and remove the old "varnish".
#4
Well you have a case for them to cover, since they were the last one to touch your tranny when they did the flush. Hope it works out for you. If it wasnt broke when you had it prior to flush and now after, its something they did.
#5
Thats my thought, Ive been swamped with work. Hopefully I can make a trip in soon, but going in with some knowledge is a good thing.
They warranty parts and labor for a year. Is the fluid change at 100k recommended by MB? I thought I read that somewhere but now google is letting me down
They warranty parts and labor for a year. Is the fluid change at 100k recommended by MB? I thought I read that somewhere but now google is letting me down
#7
fluid level alone will cause freaky problems-------check to see if they filled it to the proper level----tranny shot ot not the fluid level should be correct, unless it burnt it up which you could tell if it were burned oil by the smell
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#8
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Colorado
07' SL65, 04' E55, 03' Evo8, 08' GSXR, DSM's...
My indy also said they do NOT do flushes on these cars. They will only do what the other guy said, drop the pan, change the filter, and put the pan back on with gasket. Hope you get it resolved in your favor. Definitely check the fluid level. The car won't be able to move if the fluid is extremely low. Good luck.
Aaron
Aaron
Last edited by WHTEVO; 05-23-2012 at 11:16 PM.
#9
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,305
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
C63, SL55, E55, CLS55, ML63, C55
This is not all that uncommon to be honest. I've heard many of stories of people toasting their trans shortly after a fluid change. The metal particles in the fluid might have been the only thing holding it together. So when the trans fluid was changed, out went the metal particles. Resulting in new/faster wear on the clutch packs. I also toasted a 722 trans. (did that at Famoso a few years back) You could send to a few places that can make you a really strong trans as long as nothing is bent.
Not to mention its an underrated and awesome mod. Maybe contact RenHaus in FLA. They can maybe help you. Or Paramount performance & Southern Hotrods.
At the price of a new dealer trans, you could do an exchange for a built trans. I have no proof other than my butt dyno, but when I got my trans with beefed up SL65 clutch packs I swear it was much faster. To bad I totaled the car about 2 weeks later.
Not to mention its an underrated and awesome mod. Maybe contact RenHaus in FLA. They can maybe help you. Or Paramount performance & Southern Hotrods.
At the price of a new dealer trans, you could do an exchange for a built trans. I have no proof other than my butt dyno, but when I got my trans with beefed up SL65 clutch packs I swear it was much faster. To bad I totaled the car about 2 weeks later.
#10
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Chicago
03 E55 AMG, 06 Harley Road King Custom 06 Ram 2500 Cummins, 97 Firebird Race Car, 88 Cutlass Supreme
Car has 115k they are gonna tell you yo get lost unfortunately.
I agree its time for an aftermarket rebuild. Get the car to a cheaper shop to pull the trans and ship it to a shop known flr building these particular transmissions. It will be cheaper and you will have a MUCH better trans in the end.
I agree its time for an aftermarket rebuild. Get the car to a cheaper shop to pull the trans and ship it to a shop known flr building these particular transmissions. It will be cheaper and you will have a MUCH better trans in the end.
#11
the problem with these transmissions is the cotton(or whatever material it is)filter traps everything.i forget the size particle it traps but it is like microns.the filters need to be changed every 39,000 milers per MB and probably actually every 30,000miles to be safe.it's not really a problem as long as they get serviced very regularly.
115k is definitely way too long,you really can't blame the dealer if this is your first trans service.$417 sounds right for the dealer service which is filter,gasket,bolts and fluid(4qts)and labor.
i would call Southern Hotrod and send them the tranny,they will rebuild it way cheaper than $5,000+ and it will be bullet proof when you get it back.they build them to hold something like 1000hp/1000ft-lb.the car will shift better and the transmission will last forever as long as you change the fluid every 39,000 miles.
115k is definitely way too long,you really can't blame the dealer if this is your first trans service.$417 sounds right for the dealer service which is filter,gasket,bolts and fluid(4qts)and labor.
i would call Southern Hotrod and send them the tranny,they will rebuild it way cheaper than $5,000+ and it will be bullet proof when you get it back.they build them to hold something like 1000hp/1000ft-lb.the car will shift better and the transmission will last forever as long as you change the fluid every 39,000 miles.
#12
on the other hand,if you have records of having the tranny serviced every 39,000 miles then you probably do have a legit case,but from reading your post i just assumed you weren't regular on the tranny services.
i have an E63 and i fear for my tranny all the time.it isn't near as tuff as the E55 tranny,but if you don't change that cotton filter no MB tranny is worth a crap.
next time you get a chance,look at the material inside the filter on these trannys.it looks like millions of silk or cotton fibers woven together.they do their job,almost too well.
i have an E63 and i fear for my tranny all the time.it isn't near as tuff as the E55 tranny,but if you don't change that cotton filter no MB tranny is worth a crap.
next time you get a chance,look at the material inside the filter on these trannys.it looks like millions of silk or cotton fibers woven together.they do their job,almost too well.
#13
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
These transmissions require to have fluid & filter changed EVERY 39K miles or 60K Km's.
That aside - changing fluid will always be better than leaving old fluid in the transmission.
That aside - changing fluid will always be better than leaving old fluid in the transmission.
#14
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
as previously mentioned I have also seen this with low fluid, as it puts the trans in limp mode.
But, I have heard what MBH was saying as well. Sucks brother...
But, I have heard what MBH was saying as well. Sucks brother...
#15
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 229
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From: Glendale, CA
93' Ultrasonic Blue Mica LS6/T56 RX7 R1 weekend/ 2007 4Runner V8/ 08' prius
Check your service receipt to find out what was actually done to the vehicle. If the transmission filter was not actually replaced you have a great case, contact a lawyer & the BAR (bureau of automotive repair) ASAP.
#16
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Southern California
E55 w/ goods, Z32 Project underway
Yep. BAR is decent in California-not much else is. Give them a holler. Scan and post up the receipt/work order please , covering personal info of course.
Last edited by pearlpower; 05-24-2012 at 03:14 PM.
#17
My car has 115k on it. Ive owned it for 3 years now and never had any issues. Making some decent cash these days I decided along with the oil change, I would do a transmission fluid change because Ive never had it done or know if it was ever done.
So the dealer charges me $417 for both the oil and tranny service. Two weeks later, Im coming home from work just fine, catch a light, stop, try to go and she stutters and limps and wont move. I slowly coast to the side of the road and shes toast.
Towed it back to the dealer the next day and now they say I need a new transmission for $5300. Im heated. What could they have fouled up? Can I call mbusa on them? I havent spoken to them directly, they left a voicemail and I havent been able to call back.
What can i do in terms of liability on them. Always dealer maintained and I basically paid them to break my transmission.
Need suggestions on either getting them to fix or replace the transmission. Or should I source a shop to rebuild if they refuse.
Any ideas would be appreciated, Im not too pleased at the moment.
So the dealer charges me $417 for both the oil and tranny service. Two weeks later, Im coming home from work just fine, catch a light, stop, try to go and she stutters and limps and wont move. I slowly coast to the side of the road and shes toast.
Towed it back to the dealer the next day and now they say I need a new transmission for $5300. Im heated. What could they have fouled up? Can I call mbusa on them? I havent spoken to them directly, they left a voicemail and I havent been able to call back.
What can i do in terms of liability on them. Always dealer maintained and I basically paid them to break my transmission.
Need suggestions on either getting them to fix or replace the transmission. Or should I source a shop to rebuild if they refuse.
Any ideas would be appreciated, Im not too pleased at the moment.
#21
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 183
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
#22
Ok this thread has me a little scared ! I'm going to get an oil change at the steeler and planned on doing the transmission as well being I'm at 39000 miles and has not been done.
Are there any precautions I need to take or suggest when I go ?
Are there any precautions I need to take or suggest when I go ?
#24
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 781
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From: Bay Area, CA
E55 AMG, 72' Toyota Carina, 63' Ford F100, 72' Mercedes 250c, 15' Harley Davidson Softail
I replaced my 18k miles ago, no problems whatsoever. I plan on replacing it again with oem fluids on I hit another 40k on the fluid.