500 SEC gearbox problems

[W210 Fan]

Have been looking back through the engine gearbox section and cant seem to find a problem like this one, if this problem has already been discused then please accept my apologies,

I have an SEC which wont shift up any higher than second, I only have 1 and 2, it is currently dumped at a friends house but cant stay there more than a couple of days, should be able to get the car picked up with a friend as driving back is not an option as its too far away and too hot to run the engine at 4/5/6 grand to keep up with traffic, I am hoping it is just low on fluid or something simple does anybody have any ideas? if it is the fluid where is the fill point/dipstick??

hope everybody is having a good weekend

cheers

 

[ADY1983]

I have heard of this on other cars, my 500 SEC loses drive when once its warmed up but I have recently found that the fluid is over full... Maybe just maybe it could be that simple...

The dipstick is at the back on the drivers side, that is also the way to top it up... I hope you get it sorted, I am just off to my parents for a BBQ...

 

[Dieselman]

W210fan
What box is on the 500? If it's a hydrauluic box then it could be the governor gear on the tail of the box not sensing the speed due to the gear shearing, although this really should apply to 1st as well, unless it starts in 2nd.

If it's an electronic box then it needs proper investigation..

 

[W210 Fan]

Dieselman, I dont know what box is in the SEC, if anybody does that would be great..... I can get first and second fine then it goes no higher, with a 5l V8 I assume it probably does start in second from stationary so it may well be not sensing? will that be a recon job??? there are loads of SECs being broken on ebay at the mo and loads of gearboxes about.........

edit

From looking on ebay the part number would appear to be 126 277 3191, there is a pre-loved 126k box on there for £50, not worth taking mine to bits for that, unless it is the fluid which will be pennies and I wont have to rip the box out!!!

 

[Dieselman]

IF it's the speed governor gear it's an easy job. The governor fails to spin so doesn't release fluid to operate the valves to change the box up to the next gear.

 

[W210 Fan]

I assume thats still a gearbox out job? will that mean taking the endcap off to get to it or can I take the bottom plate off?

 

[Dieselman]

I believe its got to come out.

 

[W210 Fan]

was just thinking about chucking another box in, there is one on ebay for £50 but its in cardiff and that is not close, mmmmm decisions

 

[W210 Fan]

Right then looks like when the car gets back I will be topping it up with ATF, if that doesnt work I will get a gearbox from bristol/cardiff in the puma, lets hope the rear screen im picking up fits in too, may borrow somebody elses car who knows, looks like next weekend ill be underneath stripping the gearbox out and chucking another one in, unblot and bolt in job, is it as easy as the manual I ripped out of the E230 appart from the linkage?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Not wanting to teach a Granny to suck eggs but please make sure you are safe while working under the car and have someone there to help / assist. Removing the complete exhaust may seem a step too far but it does allow extra room for working. Take your time and look at each step of the procedure before completing it. Nothing worse than having to undo a tricky bolt because you put it in in the wrong build order.

 

[W210 Fan]

I`m always safe!!!! i never wear flips flops in the workshop!!

My bigger problem is finding somewhere to do it, new boss in the local pub and I cant leave my cars there anymore, we have no off road parking and I cant work on it in the road, my mate has a lovely big garden 2 minutes away but this wont fit up the side of his house and I doubt on his driveway either, this is gonna need some thought, brought ATF on the way home from sainsburys ready for monday with fingers crossed,

How long should it take to swap boxes? I would say that swapping the box on the E230 was about a day but I had loads of room on the driveway and good access under the bonnet as it was a small engine, chances are I will have crap driveway access and no room to access stuff as its full of engine.....

 

[W210 Fan]

put 3 litres of ATF in before it was full!!!

still not changing up above second so have handed it to a gearbox specialist, 3D transmissions in aldershot, will let you know on what I think of them and what happened.......

 

[W210 Fan]

Gearbox is for the knackers yard,

Does anybody have one before I set about looking on Ebay?

Does anybody know of a 5 speed unit that will fit in as my old barge starts off in second from stationary which means I only have 3 gears!!!!

cheers guys

 

[ADY1983]

Its not worth the hassle for a five speed box IMO, to get it to pull away In first gear, when you pull up move the gear lever down to second then back to drive it will then be in first gear Or floor it and it should kick down to first...

Ebay is a good bet, the trouble is your never going to know if you get a good one until its fitted , I hope the one I got Ian is ok...

Good luck with the search...

 

[W210 Fan]

gearbox man said it was worth getting on with a torque converter too, I shall investigate ebay......

Are there boxes from any other car that will fit? gearbox man says I can leave the car there for about a week which means I have 1 week to get a box,

found a few on ebay that look the same and from the same era so any help will be appreciated.....

This obviously fits and has a torque converter

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-SEC-...ryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

any of these fit???

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=230119719800&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=330109468166&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=190103252357&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009