Gearbox problem - w208 CLK

[PaulGrogan]

Details: 2001 Merc W208 320 CLK convertible Automatic gearbox

While driving at normal road speeds the gearbox 'snatches' for higher gears. Passengers dont notice it, but I definitely can. After around 20 minutes the snatching eases off a great deal but never completely goes away.

While slowing down at traffic lights I can feel it snatching the lower gears....you feel a very slight 'resistance' not unlike dropping down a gear in a manual car a little bit too early.

The car had a replacement gearbox fitted 2 years ago.

I mainly do 30mph driving (very little motorway) and probably cover 15 miles a day.

Thoughts and Ideas?

 

[jaymanek]

need to get gearbox oil level checked by a garage.

 

[PaulGrogan]

Cheers jaymanek,

Booked in for Monday for gearbox oil change. And they'll let me know what the levels are like before they change it.

Price was a lot less than I thought....£70.00 including filter, fluid and labour.

 

[jaymanek]

we cant even buy the oil for that price!

 

[PaulGrogan]

You've got me worried now!

This is a pretty respectable firm. They have a fair few branches.

Am I allowed to post up their name?

 

[jaymanek]

well they could use non MB oil.. i.e. Dexron 3, which is fine for you car.. say £30 for this at trade cost, £25 for filter and seal.. doesnt leave a lot for labour..

The only way they could do it at £70 is if they just drain the sump and refill that amount, but this doesnt get all the old oil out..

Are they a Mercedes Specialist? Do they have the dipstick...

 

[BlackC55]

Cheers jaymanek,

Booked in for Monday for gearbox oil change. And they'll let me know what the levels are like before they change it.

Price was a lot less than I thought....£70.00 including filter, fluid and labour.

£70!!

That is too cheap.

 

[goldestate]

If you are having the oil changed its a very good time to inspect what comes out a lot can be learn't.
You can buy Fuchs OE oil much cheaper than MB.

 

[steve333]

As the other guys have said,£70 is too cheap & i doubt you will be getting a complete fluid/filter etc change,i had my w208 clk320 convertible done in december at 75k miles(the difference is very noticeable ie very smooth changes up & down the auto box)by mb guildford for around £150 so would advise you to check the garage you have booked with are not just doing a top up on your car,let us know the outcome

 

[paris2463]

Too cheap need to check what fluid and filter/gasket being fitted

 

[PaulGrogan]

Dropped it off this morning but after the input on this thread I took the precaution of printing off this thread in full colour - http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/88450-how-change-automatic-gerbox-oil-flush-722-6-box.html

I asked to speak to the mechanic or manager. I got the manager. I showed him the print out and explained that even if the cost was more than the intial £70 quote this is how I wanted the job doing.

He had a quick look and said - yep, thats a standard Merc ATF change. You've been quoted correctly. Its a fiddly job as you need to drop the sump to get all the oil out but apart from that its a straight forward job.

I asked what oil he'd be using and he did tell me but I forgot. He said it would be perfectly acceptable and that the genuine Merc oil was very good but there were cheaper oils out there that were just as good. He did offer to use Merc oil at extra cost if thats what I wanted. I took his advice and used their suggested oil.

Just picked the car up. It drives as smooth as silk again


Total price: £70.50

Thanks for all the input guys. Your advice was spot on.... which probably saved me a fortune with mechanics trying to find the problem!

 

[Howard]

It's not whether the oil is any good or not , its whether it meets the specifications for the box.

Need to make sure that the oil meets the MB spec , try and remember what it was !

 

[jaymanek]

dexron III will be fine?

 

[PaulGrogan]

Good point Howard,

I'll give them a ring in the morning and ask for the name and let you know.

I got put onto this firm by my neighbour (he drives a convertible Saab) He's an aircraft mechanic and does a lot of work on his car himself but rates these guys very highly and takes his car there for stuff he cant manage on his drive.

I've used them in the past for a service, discs/pads and aligned my tracking properly....after taking it to Kwik Fit when they couldnt sort the tracking!

Its not a back street garage and they do seem very confident working on my Merc. In fact, there was another Merc there and a BMW 6 series this morning.

 

[bdman]

Gear box fluid change CLK 320 W208 Cabriolet

Paul are you based in London? I have the same car and i need a gearbox fluid change urgently.

Can anyone suggest a good place that will use good oil?

Thanks guys - First post btw

 

[bdman]

Dropped it off this morning but after the input on this thread I took the precaution of printing off this thread in full colour - http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/88450-how-change-automatic-gerbox-oil-flush-722-6-box.html

I asked to speak to the mechanic or manager. I got the manager. I showed him the print out and explained that even if the cost was more than the intial £70 quote this is how I wanted the job doing.

He had a quick look and said - yep, thats a standard Merc ATF change. You've been quoted correctly. Its a fiddly job as you need to drop the sump to get all the oil out but apart from that its a straight forward job.

I asked what oil he'd be using and he did tell me but I forgot. He said it would be perfectly acceptable and that the genuine Merc oil was very good but there were cheaper oils out there that were just as good. He did offer to use Merc oil at extra cost if thats what I wanted. I took his advice and used their suggested oil.

Just picked the car up. It drives as smooth as silk again


Total price: £70.50

Thanks for all the input guys. Your advice was spot on.... which probably saved me a fortune with mechanics trying to find the problem!

Paul can you give me the details of the guy who did the work for you? I need mine doing desperately. Thanks

Spoke to Mercedes this morning and they told me it was as ealed unit and didnt need doing! What a lot of nonesense!