E200 4 speed Auto- jerky

[eddie_E]

My auto box changes are a bit jerky. It gets better when warmed up but still not silky smooth. It jurks changing up to 2nd and 3rd but to 4th its ok. It seems to be smoother at very light acceleration and heavy acceleration but during normal driving its a bit annoying. The down changes are fine tho. I thought it might have been to do with the accelerator cable adjustment but I had a look and can't see anything obvoius, although I know nothing about auto's and this is my first mercedes so don't really know what I'm looking for. I gather the driveshaft donuts deteriorate over time and could have some effect, but wouldn't this cause clunking and make down changes poor as well?
Has anyone had this before? It is due for a service but I doubt an oil change will make the amount of difference I need and I'm not even sure if the gearbox oil gets changed in a usual service. It's a 94' W124 2 litre and has done 180,000miles. Any ideas?

 

[Tan]

Having the gearbox oil changed may be the way forward, but I am sure one of the more technically apt members will give a better answer.

 

[Satch]

First step is to get the fluid & any filters changed as it sound like your fluid could be well past it.

May be other problems to deal with as well but I think you will find that alone will make a noticable difference and it can do no harm.

 

[eddie_E]

I don't think its really a specific problem to a mercedes auto box but I have tried and have not found anything helpfull on the internet anywhere

 

[Shude]

IIRC the auto box requires some vacuum to operate properly. You might want to make sure all the vacuum hoses are correctly fixed/sealed etc.

I'm only guessing though, I know nothing about oily bits.

 

[eddie_E]

Ok i'll make sure the gearbox oil and filters are changed during the service - agree that it can only help. In the meantime I'll have a good look for vacuum hoses and check the condition of anything I find that might be related. Does anyone know how to check the cables for the throttle and gearbox linkage are correclty adjusted? I have a red cable that goes down to the gearbox that i assume backs off the throttle during a change?

 

[PJH]

My W124 had a rough change 1st to 2nd. Something was adjusted at the last service.
I will have to find the last bill.

 

[eddie_E]

My W124 had a rough change 1st to 2nd. Something was adjusted at the last service.
I will have to find the last bill.

that sounds promising! if you do find it and can tell me what it was that'll be diamond.

 

[PJH]

that sounds promising! if you do find it and can tell me what it was that'll be diamond.

Looked on the bill, it doesn't mention any adjustments to the transmission.
however the mechanic said they had adjusted some 'bands' which affect how smooth the changes are.

Just did a search on Google Mercedes +transmission +adjustment
and found these:-
http://business.baylor.edu/Richard_Easley/autofaqs/atcheck.htm
http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/16BoltInstallationInstructions.html

or maybe this:-
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/archive/index.php3/t-3695.html

Hope that points you in the right direction.......

 

[GordonTarling]

I have a red cable that goes down to the gearbox that i assume backs off the throttle during a change?

This is probably the kick-down cable - forces a change-down when you floor it - don't adjust it unless your kick-down isn't working.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I think the general concensus of opinion is to change the oil and filter. Its possible to do it at home and only takes about 30 mins. DO purchase a new gasket though for the sump (gearbox) In my limited experience a gearbox oil change makes a whole world of difference.

 

[eddie_E]

This link

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/...structions.html

PJH posted is just the sort of thing I was looking for thank you. I will do an oil and filter change with the rest of the service first but then if it still isn't right i'll have fiddle with the modulator pressure. Thank for all you input people, I have learnt a lot about auto box's. I will update this thread after the service.

 

[eddie_E]

Looking through releted posts I found this:

Hi all,
Tomorrow I will be taking my W124 E220 for a long trip. However, I am aware that the car needs its throttle cable lubricated and transmission pressure control cable needs adjusting...
Would someone please please please tell me where these two cables are? And how they are lubricated/adjusted?

Well the Haynes book of lies doesnt cover your model exactly... 200, 230, 300 and 320 but I guess it wont be far off the mark.

The below link should contain the relevant link zip file for the pressure control cable.

http://s25.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...D82IMEHLZN3LYG5

Give me a minute on the throttle cable, I'm working on it for you

Now the link has expired does anyone have the info on adjusting the pressure control cable? (I think that must be what the red cable is that I mentioned before). Does anyone know what model my gear box is? is it a 722.something?

 

[hocky]

jerky Benz

Hi Eddie, my 1994 C180 also has 4 cyls, a smaller engine than yours, but it looks almost the same under the hood. This car also has the "jerk" as a feature of the German engineering marvel of the time. The term used for this is "it was a design feature" put in so as to stall the gear change for a short period of time to allow the Cat to warm up to give it longer life. What a joke, to me it was a design flaw rather. Just that they couldn't cover this so they had an excuse for it so as not to be sued for incompetence. I take it seriously as no adjustments to the auto will take this annoyance away, sometimes only a mere reduction of the jerk. This happens every morning going to work and my happy note is it does give me a wake up call. Once warmed up it changes without any fuss.

 

[TOPMERCS]

hi mate i have a w124 e220 and have that same very slight jerk that u mentioned,asked around even a few specialists, and all said the same - its a w124,
they do tend to do it and should't really worry. Get it checked, and if not sure i wouldn't try adjusting anything,although the advise of changing the fluids is always a good idea.The worst part was when a friend gave me his s class(s320) to drive,a day later i drove my car,and thought something is not right, but it turns out the w124 are generally slightly jerky in the morning.(Do let us know how u got along,incase these specialists are wrong i will think of changing them) - By the way do u happen to have another newer merc which u drive????, if so that might be the reason u r finding it jerky.-Please Note iam not very technical,but iam just sharing my experiances. hope it helps.

 

[eddie_E]

Thanks for your comments Topmercs it's good to know I'm not alone. This is my first mercedes and first automatic so i'm not comparing it to anything, its just i have heard all about how smooth merc auto's are and mine isn't. I now think a service will make a difference but suspect it will not cure it totally. but i will sort it. I'll let you all know...

 

[TOPMERCS]

Eddie E- Hi you've just reminded me something i had forgotten, I remember when i bought my merc i had exactly the same feeling about the jerk when at start,and thought somethings not right.Especially when its your first merc, and yes i will say about the smoothness of the autos, believe me you will appreciate the autobox in your car when you try driving other makes of cars with auto,thats when you'll think you have definately gone the right direction. -All the best and hope to hear from you about the outcome!!

 

[kevin]

Hi Eddie,
My E220 had the same problems as you are having but I managed to have them sorted out.
Firstly, get the gearbox oil and filter changed anyway.
Secondly, check the small diameter white vacuum hose that is connected to the side of the inlet manifold and disapears down the front of the bulkhead to the gearbox, this may well have chaffed against the rough side-edge of the manifold casting causing an air leak to the item it controls in the gearbox. Later versions have a rubber sleeve to protect the pipe.
Thirdly, if when you turn the engine off you hear a slight clonk or metalic noise from beneath the centre of the car the rear gearbox mount has gone soft and will effect the gearchange quality.
Finally the centre propshaft bearing and / or the rear prop-to-diff coupling may be on their way out.
I had each of the above items replaced over time and when each item was replaced the gearbox changing got better and better. I hope this info is of help.

 

[eddie_E]

Nice one Kev, I knew about thr driveshaft donuts but not the other stuff. Thanks. I'll check them n see what state their in. I just noticed you're in surrey as well! where abouts? i'm in guildford. Have you got any recomendations for local a Mercedes specialists?

 

[kevin]

Hi Eddie,
I live at Epsom Downs. I have two merc's the E220 Cab' and a R129 500SL both of which are serviced at John Haynes Auto Technics, based in Worthing. They are happy to collect the car the evening prior to the service and return it as soon after. The first time they service your car they will check it over from front to back and notify you of any additional work/faults that they have found, you just decide how far you wish to go. I did this and both cars came back driving like new, they even adjusted one of the doors that I hadn't notice was out of alignment, which now shuts with a "clumpf". Their tel: No: is 01903 500000. As an aside the proprietor was until recently Technic Director of the Club. Whoever you get to work on your car I would suggest that you also ask them to reach up each side of the gearbox bellhousing and give the two rubber drain pipes for the ventilation fan housing a good massage. I had water leaking inside my E class for months before I traced it to these two pipes being clogged up with silt.