S320CDI Shuddering

[davidpmiller]

Hi, I have had a problem with my S320 for several months now. Initially, I posted regarding possible MAF problems, this has been changed but the problem is still there.

Essentially, there is a shuddering which seems to go from the drivers floorpan right through to the rear of the car. This appears to be more apparent when the car is between either 1000-2000 revs or it can be replicated at 80mph - dropping off the accelerator and then immediately re-applying. It is basically there all the time but to different degrees. Sometimes, quite a bad vibration noice comes from the nearside rear.

I have had it in the garage many times, more recently on Monday - a specialist checked everything under the vehicle as he suspected a worn gearbox mounting. He could not find any problems at all.

I don't really know what to do next - the mechanic has heard the problem and agrees there is an issue but cannot identify the problem. The constant vibration under your feet is just getting annoying now, can anyone offer any suggestions? The car is a March 2003 S320CDI with 60K on the clock.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dieselman]

Have a glycol test performed on the gearbox fluid. It sounds like a contamination problem.

 

[television]

Yes you must get the glycol test done, most MB dealers will do it, the juddering often has a droning sound at the same time

 

[davidpmiller]

If there is a problem with glycol contamination (which sounds likely) - is that a replacement gearbox?

 

[television]

If there is a problem with glycol contamination (which sounds likely) - is that a replacement gearbox?

The car will need a new torque converter and Radiator, the gear box its self is normally unaffected and so far I have never head of one where it has been replaced

 

[miro]

The car will need a new torque converter and Radiator, the gear box its self is normally unaffected and so far I have never head of one where it has been replaced

If it does not get treated it will destroy the gearbox too because the gear changes become erratic which leads to damage of on the internal control valves.

I have seen some major rebuilds.

 

[BlackC55]

The car will need a new torque converter and Radiator, the gear box its self is normally unaffected and so far I have never head of one where it has been replaced

I have done one.

 

[davidpmiller]

Well its glycol contamination - confirmed by the specialist. I have kept the gearbox oil sample ready for the battle with Mercedes.

They changed the valeo radiator, gearbox oil, filter, gaskets etc - cost £340inc vat Labour £548inc vat!!!!!!!

They are hoping that this will sort the problem in the short term, but advise that they do not know for how long. The car did drive a lot better, however I presume the damage is now done?

I have contacted Mercedes and they responded saying that they were unprepared to consider anything on an "out of warranty car" until I return it to the Mercedes Dealer for their diagnosis!!!!

Not sure where to go fro here, following a B-Service, 2 New Tyres, New glove compartment switch, diagnostic check, and the above a £1600 bill has left me a bit shell shocked!

Shall I proceed with the fight against Merc for a new gearbox (don't hold out much hope after reading other comments) or shall I part-ex?

Following some discussions with the Merc technician it would appear that this is a very common problem, so surely Mercedes should recifty the problem. In addition as my vehicle has had a FMBSH - surely they should have highlighted the potential problem?

Any thoughts or advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BlackC55]

It may have done some damage it may not.

You might be one of the lucky ones. The problem is that to remove ALL of the coolant is nearly impossible.

I am just pricing one now for a customer.

 

[Dieselman]

I would have gone to a Mercedes dealer for the glycol test as then you would have been awarded a goodwill payment to cover the cost of the work.

Your only hope now would be to submit the test sample via a dealer and see whether Mercedes consider the sample to be bad enough to warrant a gearbox replacement.

After a bill like that the worst thing to do would be to sell the car as it will all be dead money.

To remove ALL the coolant from the gearbox fluid AND to keep the fluid in perfect condition I would consider fitting a Bypass filter or having the fluid cleaned.

http://www.kleenoil.co.uk/

Click the installation service linky for a firm that offers fitment of the filters, analysing and an oil cleaning/polishing service.

I was just thinking earlier about fitting a transmission filter and how it could be done. Easy, T into the cooler lines and return via the dipstick tube..

 

[davidpmiller]

As the shuddering has returned, the saga continues - Merc say I will need to take it to an authorised repair centre - which is ok I suppose. They haven't said if they will contribute at this stage but I'm battling on. However, today the alternator appears to have just packed in (water cooled I'm told!), so its now being towed to the main dealer. Perhaps I should just leave it with them as the cheaper option! Anyone manage to get a high % goodwill repair from Merc with Glycol contamination?

 

[marcos]

Same thing happened to my dad on his E320 CDI. It was six months out of warranty but MB picked up the bill for new rad, torque convertor and gearbox.
His car has only ever been to the local MB dealer so after an initial argument they agreed to pay for everything.

 

[television]

As the shuddering has returned, the saga continues - Merc say I will need to take it to an authorised repair centre - which is ok I suppose. They haven't said if they will contribute at this stage but I'm battling on. However, today the alternator appears to have just packed in (water cooled I'm told!), so its now being towed to the main dealer. Perhaps I should just leave it with them as the cheaper option! Anyone manage to get a high % goodwill repair from Merc with Glycol contamination?

As far as I know the goodwill on these is coming to and end

 

[glojo]

I have had it in the garage many times, more recently on Monday - a specialist checked everything under the vehicle as he suspected a worn gearbox mounting. He could not find any problems at all..

With such a common issue that is a well known and documented problem then who is this specialist and what have they done or missed? How long have you been complaining to this 'specialist' and for how long has he missed this diagnosis? I for one have no issue with using specialists but I do wonder at this person's knowledge in regard to Mercedes-Benz. Will they do the repair for nothing?

Regards
John

 

[tech123]

There is a special oil which can be used to flush the gearbox. It lifts the glycol out of the clutch/brake disc packs in the gearbox. You need to drain the 'box, add 5 litres of this oil, flush out about half of it (leaving the other half in) then top up with the normal oil. Part number is A001 989 23 03/11. This can help save the gearbox after the rad is changed.

 

[chrisbrad66]

does this problem affect the valeo radiators only or the behr ones too? my car started doing the shuddering thing yesterday, not sure if it's a worn front tyre though, how do you go about the glycol testing?

 

[marcos]

Pretty sure it's only the Valeo rads.

 

[aka$h]

What was a fault caused by in the end?

 

[franey]

My S was doing exactly the same, Behr radiator, changed the gear oil ~ cured.

Starting point on this problem is the gear oil and filter before you start to look at drive train.

 

[wizkid2003]

Shuddering

I have an E320 and last week it went into MB and came out with exactly the same evaluation. They said that water was going from the radiator into the gear-box,needed changing etc etc...
Total cost 3 grand!! Gearbox 900 euros,Radiator 600 euros,oil 240 and get this....1000 for labour!! As someone said b4,if this is such a big issue,why has'nt it been resolved yet?