Gearbox overhaul needed - any expert recommendations

[Rawhide]

Hi all. After driving my new to me 2004 e320 CDI its apparent there is some slippage of the torque converter and my gearbox will likely need an overhaul or replacement. I was going to replace the fluid and filter as preventative maintenance but i think that would be a waste.

Im out west near Bath but could also go east to near London area.

Any recommendations on a gearbox repair? I'm going to save this car.

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[AMGeed]

Give Steve @Avantgarde a call. A highly respected indy in your area.

Bristol Mercedes-Benz Specialist – Avantgarde Automotive, Clevedon

 

[Rawhide]

Thanks - Ive had a depressing evening reading stories of Glycol contamination for which my symptoms sound exactly like.

I'm now thinking Glycol test. Im hoping rad change and gearbox DIY service might be a good first step.

My car is an 04 so I thought i was safe.

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[AMGeed]

I believe Steve uses the services of this company to recon torque convertors.
Torque converter remanfacture

 

[Rawhide]

Thanks - I will phone a few people tomorrow. I know professionals need to be paid to fix problems rather than guess and hope a fix. However I'm wondering if anyone has managed to catch this problem relatively early and got away with a flush.

Tonight I will try to determine if I have a Behr rad or Valeo. Ive ordered a service kit for the gearbox as I dont see how I can do any harm in trying this first.

The car has an unknown past and Im not sure how honest the previous owner was about the gearbox. It has a full specialist service history but I have no reciepts for work actually performed. The gearbox filler cap did not have a locking cap on it so it must have been worked on some time in its 87k life.

The car did drive well enough on its limited test drive in London to convince me to buy the car so it might be early into the problem is what Im hoping.

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[350cls]

Can you explain what you regard as slippage. I'm interested if it's similar to what I'm finding with new to me e320 cdi 2004. From cold it's more noticeable that the box behaves a bit notchy. I'm not sure if it's my accelerater peddle. If I press the accelerator slightly the revs lift but not much movement within the car itself then the power will come all of a sudden. Not sure if it's the diesel turbo I'm not so used to over my e55 low down torque. C mode in the 320 cdi feels laboured to that of the 55. S mode suits the 320 much more I find. Have you tried the gearbox reset via the accelerator pedal. I haven't, I must try this.

 

[Rawhide]

This is what I found from the service bulletin.

Up to Production Date 09/2003
Harsh Engagement Possibly Followed by Droning/Buzzing Noises During Light Acceleration Between Engine Speed of 1200 – 2500 RPM
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of humming/buzzing noises or noticeable harsh engagement during gentle acceleration between engine speed of 1200 – 2500 rpm; this may be caused by incomplete adaptation of the torque converter, the transmission (EGS) ECU software or glycol contamination of the automatic transmission fluid. Follow the below repair procedures to resolve.

I dont have harsh engagement though. However I do have judder under load like going uphill. Its that which I think is the kiss of death. I have some 'instant shudder fix' which I might add if after the change the car is driving better though. Its really just a gamble though.

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[350cls]

Just to add some more findings with mine. My car has coverd 200.00 plus miledge which is double to what you car has. My car did have a oil change at 35/800. And 120.000 in its history but none since. On the test drive the car drove brilliantly from cold the car was stone cold. I'm just starting to notice the car kind of behaves slightly off to how I press the accelerator. It's delayed breifly and can feel the box change up kind of then drop again. Which is why I'm thinking slippage of some degree. I think a fluid change might be my first port of call. No fault codes no malfunctions at present. The box is smooth as silk on a run or 98% of the time it seems it's from cold and slow stoppy start town driving. But again it's from cold nothing once engine up to temp. I will have mounts changed asap also. As when I turn the car off i find the car to shake more heavy than I think is normal.

 

[350cls]

These could be of help. Had a gearbox fault with an Alpina B10 V8 that these guys helped with.

 

[350cls]

www.stephensengineering.co.uk

 

[Rawhide]

I just got done checking my rad and its a Valeo I think. Not a big surprise but very frustrating as I bought an 04 car on the belief the problem was limited to 03 cars.

On the more positive side (if there is one) the car does look very clean under there. My old 04 e55 was in a lot worse shape but my car looks very corrosion free.

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[MissyD]

@Rawhide did you take it to Steve@ avantgarde ?

 

[Rawhide]

@Rawhide did you take it to Steve@ avantgarde ?

Hi MissyD, yes I took it to him and he confirmed glycol contamination had caused the torque converter to go bad. Its booked in to have a new rad and torque converter fitted later this month.

Big cost in terms of overall initial outlay on the car but as i plan to keep it for a while Im trying to keep in denial about that matter.

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[MissyD]

Thanks, I was gonna pop down some time ago to see him but wasn't able to, but I will try to get there soon if I go down to my niece in Cornwall.