'07 211 e320 cdi gearbox hesitation?

[Ric320]

Hi all. Firstly hi! I've just bought an '07 e320 cdi sport estate with 165k miles and am generally very pleased with it! I've owned a lot of Mercs over the years (123, 124, 116 and 210s) - all cheap and cheerful! My new car cost just £2850 with 2 previous owners.
Anyway, when accelerating gently from about 20mph there's a very faint hesitation or fluttering. Gear changes are smooth without clonks when moving the lever. It's a 5 speed paddle shift. I can't see a transmission fluid change in the service history (at least not in the last few years). I'm guessing that would be the obvious place to start? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[W1ghty]

Hi all. Firstly hi! I've just bought an '07 e320 cdi sport estate with 165k miles and am generally very pleased with it! I've owned a lot of Mercs over the years (123, 124, 116 and 210s) - all cheap and cheerful! My new car cost just £2850 with 2 previous owners.
Anyway, when accelerating gently from about 20mph there's a very faint hesitation or fluttering. Gear changes are smooth without clonks when moving the lever. It's a 5 speed paddle shift. I can't see a transmission fluid change in the service history (at least not in the last few years). I'm guessing that would be the obvious place to start? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Does the atf dispstick tube in the engine bay have a red tab or black tab on the top ? The car should have had a change at 37500k miles
If there is no dipstick you have a 7g fill from below gearbox (which is what I’m guessing on an 07 plate )

 

[Ric320]

Thanks W1ghty. I'll have a look tomorrow. By 7g do you mean 7 speed? It's a 5 speed. I'll update tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[W1ghty]

Yep 7 gears .

 

[W1ghty]

5g looks like this

 

[zipdip]

If you are handy with the spanners I would look at the AFT or get it changed right away,over the years we have had the radiator put water into the ATF and that does cause a sort of feathering feeling,it may well not be happening,but the sooner you find out the better for the box

 

[Ric320]

Thanks Zip. I thought the face-lift 211 didn't have the radiator / transmission issue (although I'm probably wrong)?

 

[merc85]

Thanks Zip. I thought the face-lift 211 didn't have the radiator / transmission issue (although I'm probably wrong)?

Correct but always worth baring in mind all radiators can fail in time.

 

[Ric320]

OK thanks all. I'll let you know.

 

[Ric320]

5g looks like this View attachment 107320

Hi. This is the only dipstick I can find (other than me obviously). Is this transmission? If so where's the engine oil dipstick (owners handbook doesn't help)?? Thanks.

 

[W1ghty]

Hi. This is the only dipstick I can find (other than me obviously). Is this transmission? If so where's the engine oil dipstick (owners handbook doesn't help)?? Thanks.

7g gearbox , no gearbox dipstick , fills through the gearbox sump .
That’s engine oil dipstick in your picture . I’ve got the same car as you

 

[Ric320]

7g gearbox , no gearbox dipstick , fills through the gearbox sump .
That’s engine oil dipstick in your picture . I’ve got the same car as you

Thanks a lot.

 

[Gbrowncls55]

5 speed to 7 speed without spending a penny. Certainly a gearbox service or at least a trans fluid/filter change would be wise.

 

[DSM10000]

If you use your paddles from rest in manual mode you will see the gear indicator in the cluster go from 1to 6 and then to D, definitely a 7-speed gearbox

I had my transmission serviced here: https://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

Well worth the trip as Olly and his team are very highly respected forum sponsors

 

[Ric320]

5 speed to 7 speed without spending a penny. Certainly a gearbox service or at least a trans fluid/filter change would be wise.

Will do! I might post again and try to get up to a 9 speed

 

[Ric320]

Update; Gear change issue is resolved. Previous owner hadn't used it much and over time it's gradually got better to the point of being fine. Downside is that it's been diagnosed with valve stem oil seal failure (smoking under acceleration etc). Hadn't noticed it when I bought the car as it doesn't smoke on tickover. Utterly gutted. Bought privately. Only 165k miles with very extensive service history so how the hell is it broken?? Apologies for the rant - it's literally keeping me up at night

 

[merc85]

Easy way i found to diagnose Valve stems, Get the Engine hot Let it tick over idle for 5-10 mins then blip the throttle smoke should poor out out.

Never heard of a OM642 doing Valve stem seals before, id suspect turbo or injectors myself.

 

[Ric320]

Many thanks merc85. It's not down on power. It does belch more smoke after tickover. The Mercedes specialist here in Brighton says he's rebuilt several engines with the same problem.

 

[Ric320]

It's booked in with the Merc specialist next Friday for proper diagnosis. It's always had a slightly sweet smell in the cabin from the air vents - could that be related?

 

[michaelk3289]

Hi. I've just bought a 2007 e280 cdi.

I had a quick look through the maintenance book and none of the services stamped have ticked the gearbox service.

I would have assumed this was part of the servicing schedule but book not showing any stamp.

What is the recommended mileage for the service.

Car has done 145k so assuming it's well over due.

Gearbox works well and changes smoothly, the only slight issue I have noticed is when the car changes down when coming to a stop sometime there is a very faint jurk