Gearbox woe? Potentially...

[DrNick]

This week the car has started playing up a bit. Initially it was slow to engage drive (Put in D revs rise car rolls backwards. Foot on brake, wait, clonk, all ok)
When I got out on the road, it didn't want to change up, but did eventually. After that was OK.
Then this weekend, it has started behaving a bit oddly. Basically there is a resistance to change. It will more easily than normal grab first (either that or there is a lot more clutch slip than usual, if thats possible on an auto) and it then has trouble changing gear, I think, 2nd to 3rd. You can feel it backing of the revs trying to change, and letting the revs rise again, but it hasn't managed the change. If I lift off at this point it can change then.
It can then go fine without any problems, changing as normal.
This morning it had a few issues but did manage all the changes but with hesitation until it had warmed up.
Having reviewed the forum I suspect it might be a bit low on fluid in the transmission. I don't think its the MAF as it had a recent one of those and still pulls like a train to the red line.

Does anyone know different, or have had the same problem and solved it?

Thanks

Nick

Car is a 99 E300 TD with lots of miles, but about 75K since the last fluid change

 

[Alps]

def sounds like fluid is low!
get that checked before trying anything else!

 

[Ian B Walker]

I would say also that I suspect low fluid. When was the last time you changed it? And also did you change the fluid filter? I experienced similar in a 190 and found the filter partially blocked. new filter solved the problem.

 

[DrNick]

The autobox specialist I spoke to also thinks its low oil, so its going to have it measured this pm. Of course if it is low, it begs the question, "Where has it gone?", which then leads to the question "How much money do you have, sir?"
I'll report back tomorrow!

 

[PJH]

So that's 3 specialists then
Alps
Ian B Walker
'The autobox specialist'

 

[DrNick]

Yes, and all three were right!
It was hardly registering on the dipstick and had a fault code saying the speed ratios were implausible which is basically a slipping clutch error.

It has been topped up as a temporary measure but there is evidence of a leak near the front of the engine so its either a leaky cooler or associated pipe.
It will be sorted probably next week.
Topped up it still works fine so I'm hoping I've got away with it!

 

[Dieselman]

It'll be the cooler pipe has rusted through. At least this sounds like a reasonably cheap repair.

 

[DrNick]

Dieselman spot on again! Rusted pipes is the diagnosis. Will be repaired Monday with any luck.

Anything else down there that might rust through at the same rate, that is worth checking?

Nick

 

[Shude]

Gearbox cooling pipes were starting to corrode on my previous car and also on my current. The pipes themselves cost very little but there is quite a bit of labour involved.

No-one has mentioned the corroded pipe on my car yet and it's been through the stealership 3 times. I asked them for a pre-service inspection to identify the pipe so they can order it in preparation for the service so it's a one-day event rather than several days waiting for parts etc and I've been told they want to charge me 1 hour's labour for the inspection! I've resigned to have the drawn-out several-day affair instead...

 

[Dieselman]

Why not just order the pipe so it is in the car when it goes for the service?

 

[230K]

Anything else down there that might rust through at the same rate, that is worth checking?

Nick

Crossmember??

230K

 

[DrNick]

Car back and now fixed. The gearbox sump was opened and checked for debris and was clean. Pipes changed and seems OK.
Did get a BAS failure and ABS warning message on first starting but these have now gone. Garage thought it was due to it being on the ramp and not all its wheels rotating at the same time whilst up there. We will see. And the glowplug light is on now, although that has to be coincidence, doesn't it?

 

[Dieselman]

Car back and now fixed. The gearbox sump was opened and checked for debris and was clean. Pipes changed and seems OK.
Did get a BAS failure and ABS warning message on first starting but these have now gone. Garage thought it was due to it being on the ramp and not all its wheels rotating at the same time whilst up there. We will see. And the glowplug light is on now, although that has to be coincidence, doesn't it?

The ABS and BAS messages will be due to the wheels not being in synch so should be ok now.

Glowplug burning out after other work, yes it's a coincidence but I bet it's happened. For some reason this appears to happen.