Big Problem..........

[Will]

Does anyone know where this oil is actually coming from?

From what I understand, the oil is ATF, which is being pushed out of the gearbox via a dodgy seal on a plug. This oil then flows along your wiring loom and ends up in the passenger footwell, and ultimately, at your gearbox ECU.

HTH,

Will

 

[Shude]

From what I understand, the oil is ATF, which is being pushed out of the gearbox via a dodgy seal on a plug. This oil then flows along your wiring loom and ends up in the passenger footwell, and ultimately, at your gearbox ECU.

My stealership told me they updated the ATF to a special polarised type which isn't affected by the current in the wiring. This is one of the problems they had with early electronic autos and was fixed sometime in 1998. If anyone has had their ATF changed on an electronic auto, better hope you've got the right stuff in!

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Also, the plug seal has been redesigned. The old plug has coloured rubber bits, like green orange or black. The new design plug has white seals to differentiate it as it is the same part number as the old one.

They might be on back order at the factory but I've got 2 on my desk!

 

[big x]

what is the correct ATF colour ? ?

I bought a dipstick recently and my ATF is a clear yellowish colour,similar to engine oil but of a lighter weight.I always thought ATF was reddish ????
It was changed by a main dealer 2 years ago before my time with the car.Looking back at the old invoices it's been changed every 36k by 2 different Stealerships.So much for the idea that these 5 speed electronic boxes where sealed for life.The cars a 97 C-180 96k and the box is very smooth and is certainly the best automatic I've driven in terms of gearbox operation.

adam


<<My stealership told me they updated the ATF to a special polarised type which isn't affected by the current in the wiring. This is one of the problems they had with early electronic autos and was fixed sometime in 1998. If anyone has had their ATF changed on an electronic auto, better hope you've got the right stuff in!>

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Fixed! See new plug and the shiniest sump in the UK :bannana:

 

[Will]

I take it Steve's practicing on your car so as to be sure to get mine perfect!

Must be a relief to know that you caught it early and got it fixed.

Looking forward to getting it sorted so I can put my mind at rest.

Thanks again for the groundwork Greg, you are a top man! :bannana:

Cheers,

Will

 

[Deleted member 2227]

I take it Steve's practicing on your car so as to be sure to get mine perfect!

Must be a relief to know that you caught it early and got it fixed.

Looking forward to getting it sorted so I can put my mind at rest.

Thanks again for the groundwork Greg, you are a top man! :bannana:

Cheers,

Will

No problem I've given the second plug to Steve but he has access to another one as well. He says they are seeing one car a day with a leaking plug, and yesterdays car will need three ECUs and a complete new loom. There was more oil in the electrical system than in the mechanical bits!

The oil had only just started its journey north so my electrics didn't need much cleaning. So after replacing the plug. I had my gear box oil topped up to make up for that lost in the leak and in changing the plug. Steve then cleaned everything that had oil on it, hence why my sump is gleaming black and everything is as clean as it can be made. He wouldnt let me zymol the sump while it was clean


While we were under the car we checked the seaping diff and thats now getting done at the weekend! Apparently the easiest way to change the seals is to remove the diff and do the job on a work bench.

 

[Will]

No problem I've given the second plug to Steve but he has access to another one as well. He says they are seeing one car a day with a leaking plug, and yesterdays car will need three ECUs and a complete new loom. There was more oil in the electrical system than in the mechanical bits!

The oil had only just started its journey north so my electrics didn't need much cleaning. So after replacing the plug. I had my gear box oil topped up to make up for that lost in the leak and in changing the plug. Steve then cleaned everything that had oil on it, hence why my sump is gleaming black and everything is as clean as it can be made. He wouldnt let me zymol the sump while it was clean


While we were under the car we checked the seaping diff and thats now getting done at the weekend! Apparently the easiest way to change the seals is to remove the diff and do the job on a work bench.

Sounds quite serious Greg, you must be spending a fortune on that car of yours!!! I hope your car appreciates it and treats you well from now on!

Wll

 

[Deleted member 2227]

I think it is pampered but I enjoy having it right. Have you seen my Servicing thread for what I'm getting done in one go............

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Will is your gearbox saved??

 

[Will]

Will is your gearbox saved??

It certainly is!

Set of early yesterday morning (well, early-ish for a Saturday morning for me!) and had a pleasant run down to Steve's in Kent (circa 60 miles).

Pulled up at Steve's place to meet a friendly guy who seems very enthusiastic about all things Mercedes-Benz. After a few minutes conversation, he starts the inspection of my car. First things first, he gets out a proper MB diagnostics machine to read and erase any fault codes stored on the car. Nothing of any concern, but certainly good to know before the starts on the rest of the inspection.

Still talking me through everything, he checks most of the mechanical items (steering, suspension, brakes, etc)

Items found needing attention:

2x front ball joints (NS one worst, but OS also on its way out)
Steering Damper

I had also brought with me 2x new Poly drive belts (1x aux belt and 1x belt for the s/c), and a new fuel filter that I had not got around to fitting or getting fitted! I also mentioned that one of the breathers had split and this was replaced virtually before I had finished explaining it to him!

After briefly discussing the prices for these items (which were very reasonable), I left him to it and headed down to the town centre in a loan car that Steve provided.

A few hours later, he telephoned me to let me know that he was pretty much finished and I headed back to Steve's place to pick the car up and settle the bill.

As I arrived, he was just replacing a last piece of interior trim (from fixing the gearbox plug and cleaning the wiring loom) and checking the gearbox oil level. Once checked, it needed topping up a few hundered ml, which he did. Talked me through everything that he had done, and showed me the old parts that had been replaced - steering damper was well shot!

After correctly torquing up the wheel bolts, and removing all the protective covers (he really seems to take care of your car and it's interior - cover for both front seats, steering wheel, both wings covered...), it was all finished.

I would say that it is a rarity today to find someone as honest, knowledgable and competant as Steve, and whom works with genuine parts and MB equipment, plus has the benefit of thorough up-to-date company knowledge (he is a full time MB mechanic).

I could not fault him, and will be heading back at some point soon for a few other jobs (gearbox oil change).

Cheers,

Will

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Delighted to hear all went well! I must admit I saw your car when I left mine. Funny place to store oil the footwell isnt it! Glad it went well. My little list of jobs also went well. It feels like a new car!

 

[Will]

Glad to hear it.

Yes I saw your car too when I went to collect mine.

Looks very nice - tastefully modded and in pristine condition, especially for its age/mileage.

The avantgarde grille looks good in real life - may have to get one of those myself!

Cheers,

Will

 

[KillerHERTZ]

arrrghhhh!

Noticed when installing my stereo some strange oil/orange sticking goo, thought nothing of it!?!

Yesterday I finally cleared all the leaves etc from the passenger side hole at the back of the engine bay - about 1litre of water gushed out off the front jacking point.

Was happy all that water had gone, this morning got in the car and the passenger footwell was soaking


Did we find out if the box behind the metal footplate was the ECU, or the Alarm modual?

Im thinking the alarm as its just gone off (1am!) for no reason at all

 

[Dieselman]

I think it's the alarm.

I bet your neighbours are pleased that you have tken the time to tell us about the alarm before doing anything about it.

 

[Alps]

the box on the passenger fottwell in my 202 is the gearbox ECU, i know this as i had it replaced when i got my gearbox replaced! its a black plastic box.

 

[jamesmc]

Does anyone have the part number of the modified plug that needs replacing ?
Tried to track it down on the .ru site but not having any luck so far.

Cheers

 

[mchips]

From the Mercedes EPC site, and confirmed by someone else on another MB forum, the old part number (at least on a w202) was A 140 270 02 50 and the new connector is A 203 240 02 53.

 

[mchips]

Can anyone tell please me how to clean the wiring harness if fluid has started to migrate up it? Does the sheath pull back and you just wipe down the wires?

I am going to be checking this out soon and want to have all the supplies I need ready in case there is a problem so that I don't have to go running to the store.

Thanks!

 

[television]

The oil has gone between the copper and plastic sheathing
so 2 things, either leave it and a little oil may get onto the MAF that will wash off, or you replace the harness.

I would leave it and maybe wash the MAF just once,,I have not heard any complaints by leaving it