Transmission W211

[Jane Holmes]

Hello. Just wondered if it's possible to "labour" an auto gearbox. I'm not very heavy-footed, but if I'm too gentle with the throttle, the gearbox can momentarily "shudder". It's an E220 cdi W211, bought with a good history and 54K on the clock. I'm still in time to send it back if this looks serious!
Thanks for any comments
Jane

 

[BlackC55]

Its probably a faulty torque converter. Quite common too. Get it diagnosed first just incase its something else. We charge bout £800-850 for a re-furbished TC so not the end of the world money.

They should never shudder even when flat out.

 

[Jane Holmes]

Many thanks
I've booked to get it down to the garage on Monday so that they can get it onto their diagnostics machine. A funny thing happened today - I pulled away from a junction and it seemed to stay in one gear, just wouldn't step up. It wouldn't shift into manual mode and the C/S button didn't work! I pulled over, stopped and restarted the engine - and it returned to normal... everything working OK for the rest of the day. This is certainly a different machine than our old W124... and that got to 430,000 miles before the transmission started complaining!!!
Hopefully, I'll know more on Monday
Thanks again
Jane

 

[AMGeed]

Your experience today is one of the signs of the speed plate within the gearbox failing.

Don't be fobbed off by the garage. Fault codes logged in the gearbox ECU should point to today's episode.
If you still have the chance of a full refund I'd take it unless they agree the car goes to a Mercedes specialist for both a second opinion and the repair that they will settle in full.

 

[BlackC55]

Sound advice