Auto 'box reluctant to change.

[P1BRX]

Hi, I'm a new member her and own a 1998, C240 Elegance with 126,000 miles on the clock. Overall she's in lovely condition, but she is developing an odd gearbox problem. This is now our third car and I am two minds whether to keep it ... I absolutely love it but it may be a luxury I can no-longer afford if she becomes expensive to keep.

The main symptom is its reluctance to change gear and when it does, it is fairly "clunky", nothing like the silky-smothness of her younger days.

The worst fault is kickdown ... with throttle pedal to the floor, she revs to the red-line, makes a lot of noise but actually slows down! On "advice" I have changed the gearbox oil and the ABS sensors which were thought to be the cause of the problem. Clearly they were not, as this has made no difference. She is still driveable; by lifting off the throttle, revs drop, gears change up and she accelerates slowly, but overall it is a less than appealing drive.

All thoughts and ideas greatly appreciated. I live in Carterton, Oxfordshire, so also any MB specialist recommendations would be useful.

 

[BlackC55]

What oil did you use?

 

[markjay]

Edit

 

[A210AMG]

Has the ATF been changed recently or at all do you know?

Mine was changed and it felt like a new car, gear changed so much smoother. I was reluctant as its around £150 - £200 and thought 'would I even know its been done..'

well yes I did and probably one of the few things bar new wiper blades when you really appreciate how good it is afterwards.

 

[P1BRX]

A210AMG, thanks for your note. No, I've not changed the ATF ... To be honest, not sure what one is. But I will investigate getting it done locally; at that sort of price it is economical enough for me to keep her a bit longer ;-)

Why do we get so attached to these things?

 

[DSM10000]

A210AMG, thanks for your note. No, I've not changed the ATF ... To be honest, not sure what one is. But I will investigate getting it done locally; at that sort of price it is economical enough for me to keep her a bit longer ;-)

Why do we get so attached to these things?

You said in your first post that you had changed the gearbox oil. ATF =Automatic Transmission Fluid or gearbox oil so what type of gearbox oil did you use? I may help experts like Olly etc to advise you better.

 

[davionix]

auto box

Hi,ATF is auto transmission fluid. I see you mention gearbox oil being replaced recently but unless the exact correct MB fluid is used its a waste of time. It must be done using MB ATF and in some cases,like mine it has to be done by a special piece of kit which drains and refills the exact amount at the right temperature which is also important. Will cost around £300 but at least if this does not fix it,they will tell you why

 

[P1BRX]

Sorry for being so dim this morning: ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid ... Right? Is that what I call 'Gearbox Oil'?

If so, I had this changed about a year ago, but it made little / no difference. Sorry Black C55, I don't know what oil it was ... what should it be?

 

[P1BRX]

Oh dear ... My ATF was replace by our local HiQ ... Can anyone recommend a good local MB specialist to Carterton, Oxfordshire. Sounds like I need to pay a visit!

Thanks to all for your help so far. I'll update with progress.

 

[DSM10000]

Sorry for being so dim this morning: ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid ... Right? Is that what I call 'Gearbox Oil'?

If so, I had this changed about a year ago, but it made little / no difference. Sorry Black C55, I don't know what oil it was ... what should it be?

As stated ATF is gearbox oil for automatic gearboxes.

As for the type it should be to the correct Mercedes speciifcation.

It may be that the level was / is low. You need to get to a Mercedes or automatic gearbox specialist as soon as you can to identify the problem and then you can decide how to proceed.

 

[A210AMG]

Sorry I didn't read your post fully !!!

ATF is indeed automatic Transmission Fluid.

If you had this changed could you check what they used. Then look to see if this was the correct oil.

Sorry I miss read the post

 

[John]

Lol.

This thread is rapidly turning into an episode of Laurel & Hardy with all the missed and stated definitions of ATF.

 

[P1BRX]

That's another fine mess I've got myself in to ;-)