E270 cdi tranny problems

[AKHi]

Hello Fellow MB people

Need help, advice, thoughts!!
Found mpg going down over 1 month period during 500mile weekly commute from ~45mpg to 39mpg. Pulsing, vibrating and juddering of car around 40-60 then 70-80mph. Mechanic on holiday and advised me not to drive but had no choice. 2003 e270 cdi 103k miles bought @86k miles. Had gearbox serviced when bought

Few days ago broke at junction near home and bang went gearbox. Had to stop restart car four or five times and limp drive car 1/2 mile home which seemed to take forever. Thankfully it wer way past midnight and roads were empty.

Towed car to garage as putting car into D only moved maybe 6feet and then over revving. Hoping it just needed oil/filter or possibly a sensor but mechanic has checked and heavy metal spray paint color bits in tranny and oil smells burnt.

After reading threads it seems a new/recon tranny best course of action rather than rebuild and also replacing torque converter

So questions

1)where to source a 5spd tranny, want to avoid getting a new one. Have checked and will be ringing breakers tomorrow. Dronsfields seem to crop up a lot as a decent place?

2)does anyone know a decent place in Leicester to fit the gearbox and possibly tow car

3)is this the resolve to my problem and will this get my baby back on the road

 

[panason1c]

You might need to test for glycol (engine coolant) in the transmission oil, certain year models had a problem with the duel function engine radiator allowing the two to mix which gave the symptom of juddering.

Test kits are available online or MB can carry out the test.

If this is the case a new TC, radiator and possibly gearbox will be required

 

[AKHi]

Thanks panasonic, took car to merc specialist and spoke to dronsfield. Have orderd a new gearbox and torque. Apparently radiator is not an issue. Both s

 

[AKHi]

Specialist say coolant would be visible. If i do have the old valeo radiator that alot of people have had issues with do you i think i should change this aswell at the same time to prevent future issues??

 

[panason1c]

If you do have the valeo radiator i would change it at the same time as the new box/tc are fitted.

 

[AKHi]

Have ordered tranny now and having torque rebuilt by same company. As for radiator no visible signage on the w211 radiator to suggest what radiator it is. Mechanic going to see if he can find out. In previous threads Panasonic I see you have suggested the oil cooler mod for the tranny itself bypassing the radiator. Is this do-able on a w211 and what is the cost (parts and labor) roughly for radiator change vs oil cooler mod??

 

[boxbrownie]

When I saw the heading I thought you been having problems after picking up a cross dresser in your E270