Newbee with E320 CDi auto problem

[beanmasteruk]

Hi everyone. Hope someone can help before I spend a small fortune!!

I've got a 2003 E320 CDi Automatic/steptronic. Car has done 117k. The gearbox has started playing up, it seems to shudder at low revs and it seems almost violent from forst to second. If I put my foot down and drive it hard it seems ok, but round town and gentle driving it always shudders around 30-50 mph. I don't seem able to check the fluid level on it either!!

If poss does anyone know a good independent Merc guy around the Farnborough hampshire area who could maybe take a look?

 

[wemorgan]

Welcome!

I wonder if this post of any relevance:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/41764-official-test-proceedure-valeo-radiator-issue.html

What is your location?

 

[ringway]

Welcome.

Let hope it isn't the Valeo issue.

How long have you had the car?
Bought privately or from a dealer?
Any warranty with the car?

Provide as much info as you can and the guys on the forum will be able to help.

 

[beanmasteruk]

bought private and owned it approx 2 months. I'm in Farnborough Hampshire.

 

[ringway]

Does the car have full mb service history?

I would take it to a MB dealer rather than have a garage without the correct diagnostic equipment guess at the problem. You'll get an accurate assessment and when you know the outcome you can then choose who you want to carry out the works.

 

[hygt2]

Better check whether it has a Valeo radiator first and plug into STAR to see the gear change times across all the gears. If it has got a Valeo radiator then better get it change, flush the system and hope your gearbox / torque converter survival.

If you do not have a Valeo radiator, then does the shudders appear at the point of the torque convertor locks up?

For some unknown reason, the torque convertor does not last forever and I seems to be hearing 1 or 2 torque convertor change on this forum every month (CLK, E, SL, and my W220 Diesel). The fact that the a central London dealership always keeps three torque convertors in stock suggests their failure rates are quite high.

Hope everything goes well for you.

 

[wemorgan]

If you hit a brick wall with the DIY diagnostics then a visit to Olly at PCS could help:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/memb...r-service-mercedes-specialist-portsmouth.html

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Better check whether it has a Valeo radiator first and plug into STAR to see the gear change times across all the gears. If it has got a Valeo radiator then better get it change, flush the system and hope your gearbox / torque converter survival.

If you do not have a Valeo radiator, then does the shudders appear at the point of the torque convertor locks up?

For some unknown reason, the torque convertor does not last forever and I seems to be hearing 1 or 2 torque convertor change on this forum every month (CLK, E, SL, and my W220 Diesel). The fact that the a central London dealership always keeps three torque convertors in stock suggests their failure rates are quite high.

Hope everything goes well for you.

Would you be able to describe the symptoms for your W220 please?

Mine is on the way out but not bad enough to be able to claim off the warranty yet and I'm trying to predict how long it will take to get bad enough to claim.

Ta!

 

[ringway]

If it is the valeo issue and it get gets bad enough for a claim then an indication of the costs are shown here. Not for the faint hearted.

Best of luck.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

If it is the valeo issue and it get gets bad enough for a claim then an indication of the costs are shown here. Not for the faint hearted.

Best of luck.

Sorry, not clear, I meant that the torque converter is showing signs of it's demise I don't think that the W220 had a Valeo rad.

Vibrates at 60-70mph under hard accelleration and also under load at low speeds, at 60-70 is sounds (and feels) like you have wandrered over onto the rumblestrips at he side of the M way for a second or 2 and at lower speeds a more drastic vibration which seems to start at the gearbox and end at the back wheels.

 

[ringway]

Sorry, not clear, I meant that the torque converter is showing signs of it's demise I don't think that the W220 had a Valeo rad.

Vibrates at 60-70mph under hard accelleration and also under load at low speeds, at 60-70 is sounds (and feels) like you have wandrered over onto the rumblestrips at he side of the M way for a second or 2 and at lower speeds a more drastic vibration which seems to start at the gearbox and end at the back wheels.

Sorry, didnt see W220. Thought we were still on the W211 OP's car.

 

[mal320]

Hi Guys, another newbie here.

Super thread and I think the very answer that I was looking for. My E320 cdi (2003) (133k) has just started to show similar symptoms, at exactly 1300 rpm under gentle acceleration and usually going up a slight gradient, there is a slight shudder, it happens at other points in the rev range but it is most noticeable at 1300rpm.

I have a two fold question.

1. I use a local garage that are not main MB people but Bosch approved and have given me good service over the years. Is this a job that they can tackle or is this real specialist type work?

2. This is the how long is a piece of string question. My problem (at this stage) only seems to be a very mild one, so is the car safe to drive and will the problem get worse until I do even more damage? And roughly what costs are involved?

All help very welcome

mal

 

[Dieselman]

Get a glycol test performed straight away by an MB dealer..then sit down...!

When they give you the bad news ask for an MB goodwill payment.

A local garage could do the work but you may get such a payment from MB that negates the cheaper cost of a local garage.

 

[mal320]

Get a glycol test performed straight away by an MB dealer..then sit down...!

When they give you the bad news ask for an MB goodwill payment.

A local garage could do the work but you may get such a payment from MB that negates the cheaper cost of a local garage.

Ahhh, ok! So MB dealers first. So is this a common problem with this model? And are MB likely to help me out financially with this - or would I be whistling in the wind?

Many thanks for your quick reply.

mal

 

[Smiley]

yes it is a common problem - but they will probably tell you "never seen one like this sir".
I doubt you will get a goodwill payment very easily unless the car has a full MBSH.
But nothing ventured.....At least you will get an accurate diagnosis and can decide what to do with it.
I'm afraid that a full repair at a MB dealer without any contribution will make your credit card go weak at the knees.

 

[mal320]

yes it is a common problem - but they will probably tell you "never seen one like this sir".
I doubt you will get a goodwill payment very easily unless the car has a full MBSH.
But nothing ventured.....At least you will get an accurate diagnosis and can decide what to do with it.
I'm afraid that a full repair at a MB dealer without any contribution will make your credit card go weak at the knees.

Lol! Thank you Smiley, I guess I will just have to take this one on the chin and get the experts at MB to sort this out.

many thanks for your help and guidance.

mal

 

[BlackC55]

If you need any further advice or help on what to do I can help. I have done many of these vibration problems due to either a faulty torque converter or glycol contamination.

 

[mal320]

If you need any further advice or help on what to do I can help. I have done many of these vibration problems due to either a faulty torque converter or glycol contamination.

I wish that you were nearer me here in "York" BlackC55, I would gladly let you sort this out for me.

all the best. mal

 

[BlackC55]

Even if i am no where near, I am happy to help further.

 

[mal320]

Even if i am no where near, I am happy to help further.

Many many thanks BlackC55. I guess that my first port of call is the local MB garage for some basic diagnostics, as people have eluded to - I then have to be prepared for the sting! Will keep you posted as to the results, it's been a while since I had a trip to the south coast, so maybe that is a possibility.

mal