W203 C220 CDI Sport AutoBox Hunting

[S92Jockey]

Hi All.

I'm new to this forum, and now the proud owner of my first MB after wanting one for years...
I've just taken delivery of a nice 2005 C220 CDI auto Sport. after a close inspection and road test, all seemed fine but, soon after getting home I noticed a slight hunting when in about 3 -4th gear doing about 30 - 40mph RPM being between 1500 - 2000......
you can feel a slight pulling and stopping in the car and also see the RPM needle twiching +-50rpm.
this all when hot. probably cold aswell but dont know yet, the car otherwise seems to drive fine, accelerates nicely, changes gear fine etc.....

any help please greatly appreciated...

Regards
Mike

 

[cws196]

My 2006 S203 CDI220 does this in the first 5 to 10 minutes after cold-start, but it then goes away - my dad's W211 does it as well. I've been told to take no notice of this as the gearbox is not up to running temp either.

When was the ATF last changed and has the fluid level been checked? This is usually the first place to start.

 

[S92Jockey]

My 2006 S203 CDI220 does this in the first 5 to 10 minutes after cold-start, but it then goes away - my dad's W211 does it as well. I've been told to take no notice of this as the gearbox is not up to running temp either. When was the ATF last changed and has the fluid level been checked? This is usually the first place to start.

Hi, thanks for the reply....
I can't find any record of it having ever been changed.
Though I was under the impression that these were a 'sealed for life' box......
I can't seem to be able to check it, as what i believe to be the dip stick appears to have an anti tamper cap. How do I take these off to check the level..???
Can anyone recommend a good Auto box treatment to put in with the oil?

 

[Stratman]

Mine does this too, but only when the car is cold and the weather is both damp and cold. It does it after about two or three minutes after starting and lasts for about five minutes. It did/does it both before and after a fluid and filter change.

The 'sealed for life' claim serves to move the cost of a fluid and filter change outside the all-important total cost of ownership of the first three years, the figure a lot of fleet managers look at when deciding on purchases.

 

[S92Jockey]

Mine does this too, but only when the car is cold and the weather is both damp and cold. It does it after about two or three minutes after starting and lasts for about five minutes. It did/does it both before and after a fluid and filter change. The 'sealed for life' claim serves to move the cost of a fluid and filter change outside the all-important total cost of ownership of the first three years, the figure a lot of fleet managers look at when deciding on purchases.

Thanks for the reply.... Took it out this morning... Cold and damp, seemed fine....... Though interestingly, started doing it when up to temperature..... So I assume when oil was hot and thin, would this point to 'low oil'..........

Thank you all

 

[Rory]

Though I was under the impression that these were a 'sealed for life' box......
I can't seem to be able to check it, as what i believe to be the dip stick appears to have an anti tamper cap. How do I take these off to check the level..???

What colour is the clip? They're black out of the factory, and changed to red if replaced. You have to break the top off the clip and rest of it drops out the bottom of the cap. I "modified" the cap on mine by cutting off the catch so the clip just pulls out now. You don't really need the clip anyway.

Yours probably should have had a change but MB chopped and changed on this. Mine was noted as sealed for life, but then the change requirement started a few thousand VIN's after my car was made. Although they did remove it again from the schedules at some point.

You really need an ATF dipstick to check the level yourself - people home-make them but they're hard to use. This seller is popular Mercedes Transmission Gearbox Dipstick Tool 722.6 722.7 722.8 PROFESSIONAL TOOL | eBay. It's got to be done with the box fully up to temp and then run the car through the gears, holding it in each position for a few seconds. The level is quite critical, ideally it should be as near as possible to the full mark without going over.


You could of, course, have other issues. Failing MAF sensor could produce the same symptoms. They do need replacing from time to time.

 

[S92Jockey]

Rory Thanks
What I believe to be the Autobox dipstick cover is Black with a red Tag / piece on the top.....?
After driving today, Its definitely more pronounced when hot. also it happens at most speeds, when steady cruising or under slight / steady acceleration. so, starting to think more along the lines of Engine as opposed to Tx.
So will replace MAF sensor and a full service and go from there... also just bought a decent diagnostic kit from Fleabay....
Another few Q's
I seem to have all the buttons for a phone kit....on steering wheel and on the audio 20 panel, also a plug in the top of Centre armrest. I have an Iphone4s....what do i need to make it all work...
Also, has anyone had any joy with an economy ReMap..????

Thanks again all.....

 

[Rory]

Rory Thanks
What I believe to be the Autobox dipstick cover is Black with a red Tag / piece on the top.....?
After driving today, Its definitely more pronounced when hot. also it happens at most speeds, when steady cruising or under slight / steady acceleration. so, starting to think more along the lines of Engine as opposed to Tx.
So will replace MAF sensor and a full service and go from there... also just bought a decent diagnostic kit from Fleabay....

It usually worth getting it properly diagnosed before you start replacing parts at random.

Yes, the ATF cap is black. If the pin is red then it's been replaced since leaving the factory, but that could just be a level check although that's not routine, so it may have had the ATF replaced.

Another few Q's
I seem to have all the buttons for a phone kit....on steering wheel and on the audio 20 panel, also a plug in the top of Centre armrest. I have an Iphone4s....what do i need to make it all work...
Also, has anyone had any joy with an economy ReMap..????

Thanks again all.....

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