Engine running but car wouldnt drive!

[Clantara]

Was running my daughter to work this morning in E270 CDi. O4 plate estate. Pulled away from traffic lights doing about 20 mph when engine started to rev of its own accord up to 4k revs. Car speed did not increase and would not respond when I depressed the accelerator pedal. After a few seconds and just before coming to a halt the revving stopped and car drove as normal. On way home and again on the motorway the same thing happened whilst driving at 60mph only this time I had to pull onto hard shoulder and stop the car as it was totally unresponsive. After a minute or so the revving again stopped and I managed to drive home with everything operating as normal. Any ideas what could be causing this as no warning signs appeared at any time on the dash display. Only purchased the car last Friday at auction but has been driving perfectly until today.

 

[tonyc280]

Sounds like auto box level might be low.

 

[Clantara]

Thanks Tony. If oil was low would a warning light not appear before the problem I described happened?

 

[BlackC55]

No. There is no warning if the ATF level is low.

Get the level checked first. Then the fault codes. Then drop then the gearbox sump pan to check for metal/water.

 

[Clantara]

No. There is no warning if the ATF level is low. Get the level checked first. Then the fault codes. Then drop then the gearbox sump pan to check for metal/water.

Thanks. Where do I find the fault codes and dropping gearbox sump pan sounds like a major operation?!

 

[tonyc280]

if the level is low there's no point in dropping the pan unless to change the filter. You can buty a good dip stick off ebay then sell it when you've done with it like i did.

 

[Clantara]

if the level is low there's no point in dropping the pan unless to change the filter. You can buty a good dip stick off ebay then sell it when you've done with it like i did.

So there is no automated warning for advising of low oil level and no dip stick either for manually doing it?!

 

[Stratman]

Mercedes said their transmissions were "Sealed for Life", so they didn't provide any user methods for checking and topping up the ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). It was really just a cynical ploy to remove the cost of a transmission service from the total cost of ownership in the first three years of the car's life, which is what company beancounters would be looking at.

Any decent MB or even one advertising itself as a German/Euro independent will be able to check the level for you. A full ATF change is a reasonably involved affair, and an indie should be able to do it properly, including a new filter and seal, for around £170.

The question still remains:- Where did the fluid go?

 

[Clantara]

Looks like it's a transmission fault right enough as just home and there's oil lying on the driveway that definitely wasn't there yesterday! Will this be a faulty gasket and is it a job that can be undertaken DIY?

 

[BlackC55]

It could be the pilot bushing, sump gasket or cooler line.

Have a look to see where it is coming from.

 

[Clantara]

Mercedes said their transmissions were "Sealed for Life", so they didn't provide any user methods for checking and topping up the ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). It was really just a cynical ploy to remove the cost of a transmission service from the total cost of ownership in the first three years of the car's life, which is what company beancounters would be looking at. Any decent MB or even one advertising itself as a German/Euro independent will be able to check the level for you. A full ATF change is a reasonably involved affair, and an indie should be able to do it properly, including a new filter and seal, for around £170. The question still remains:- Where did the fluid go?

If it is "sealed for life" then surely MB should repair it for free?!

 

[BlackC55]

Never in a million years.

 

[Stratman]

Looks like it's a transmission fault right enough as just home and there's oil lying on the driveway that definitely wasn't there yesterday! Will this be a faulty gasket and is it a job that can be undertaken DIY?

Here's what's involved
If you're anywhere near Horndean just north of Portsmouth, take it to BlackC55, the man in the article. He'll sort you out.

 

[Clantara]

It could be the pilot bushing, sump gasket or cooler line. Have a look to see where it is coming from.

Thanks for the advice but wouldn't know one of those parts from the other! Ill book it into an independent for repair. Looks like being an MB owner is going to be a fairly expensive business as I've only had the car since Friday!

Thanks for your help everyone

 

[Clantara]

Here's what's involved If you're anywhere near Horndean just north of Portsmouth, take it to BlackC55, the man in the article. He'll sort you out.

Unfortunately not. I'm in Glasgow.

 

[Stratman]

Unfortunately not. I'm in Glasgow.

Hopefully some suggestions will follow.

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks for the advice but wouldn't know one of those parts from the other! Ill book it into an independent for repair. Looks like being an MB owner is going to be a fairly expensive business as I've only had the car since Friday!

Bought at auction cheaply.

Without wishing to sound rude, if you can't DIY, runnig a prestige car will always be expensive.

 

[Mick1982]

If it is "sealed for life" then surely MB should repair it for free?!

HAAAAAAAhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahahha!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. The whole idea of the box being "sealed for life" is so that MB CAN charge you for something you could otherwise do yourself.