W203 Limp mode not even moving now p0730 code

[t0lerence]

Hi all, I am really hoping that someone can point me in the right direction here..

I have a W203 C Class Coupe C180 Automatic 2003

About a month ago, I was driving along when I noticed occasional power loss, switching gears fixed the problem. Then I started to hear this occasional whirring noise which was coming from the gearbox until one day, I just completely lost power! No matter what I did, the car just revved and just wouldn't move at all!

Leaving it off for a few minutes or so would get it to drive again in what I guess is described as limp mode (high revs, very weak power) and I did eventually manage to get it to a local garage in Bethnal Green who eventually changed the fuel filter and transmission fluid to get it working again.

They told me that it was really dirty and the oil wasn't passing through the filter which was causing the problem. I do remember using a ODBII scanner to read some codes, one of them was P730 incorrect gears ratio or something which did disappear after they did the work.

On Saturday night, without any warning at all, same thing happened again! Had the AA recover me back to the local garage for them to look into, they called me yesterday telling me that they suspect a gearbox replacement was in order which I find very hard to believe!

That P0730 error code is back along with another one which I didn't note down so cannot confirm at this stage.

I am waiting for a call from them today to get me a quote but I am wondering if anyone here may have any advise or anything? Surely a 2003 model shouldn't need a replacement now?

Also can anyone recommend a mobile Merc specialist local to Bethnal Green area?

Really appreciate any input on this thanks in advance!

 

[BlackC55]

How many miles does it have? has the fluid been changed before?

 

[t0lerence]

Its done around 78k and yes the fluid was changed about a month ago, although I am not sure what the put in or how much, the fuel filter was changed as well and this made everything work as normal again..

 

[DSM10000]

The age of the car has nothing to do with when or if a gearbox needs changing.

If it has not been serviced correctly and the gearbox oil not changed at the recommended intervals and the correct oil not used then premature failure is not exactly unknown on any automatic 'box.

It may well be that your 'box has had a low fluid level, possibly the wrong oil at some point leading to excess wear, possibly the glycol issue whereby the gearbox oil cooler can break down and contaminate the gearbox oil with coolant has affected it

 

[t0lerence]

The car had the A Service maybe 2-3 months ago, I have no idea about previous oil changes to the gearbox, I have only had it for 18 months or so..

Is there anyway that a low fluid issue can be detected? Would say topping up or changing the transmission oil again help remedy the issue or will it actually need a change of gearbox

 

[DSM10000]

The car had the A Service maybe 2-3 months ago, I have no idea about previous oil changes to the gearbox, I have only had it for 18 months or so..

Is there anyway that a low fluid issue can be detected? Would say topping up or changing the transmission oil again help remedy the issue or will it actually need a change of gearbox

Do you have any staining under the gerabox? there is a seal called a pilot bush that commonly leaks on these gearboxes. A cheap and easy fix but could possibly have contributed to your problems if the fluid was leaking.

Low fluid can be checked via a transmission dipstick, most MB automatics do not have one in situ so it is something the dealers or specialists have.

Filliing and checking 'box also needs to be done carefully and levels checked at the correct temperatures and with the correct oil used.

Do you have a record of what gearbox oil was used? If it was incorrect it may have caused your problems and therefore you may have redress against the garage that did the work.

If the incorrect oil was used there may well be a lot of damage done already but why speculate? Get the car to a reputable gearbox specilaist or better still to Olly (Black55 on here, he has already replied to you)

His company is Prestige Car Services 02392570123

 

[t0lerence]

Do you have any staining under the gerabox? there is a seal called a pilot bush that commonly leaks on these gearboxes. A cheap and easy fix but could possibly have contributed to your problems if the fluid was leaking.

Low fluid can be checked via a transmission dipstick, most MB automatics do not have one in situ so it is something the dealers or specialists have.

Filliing and checking 'box also needs to be done carefully and levels checked at the correct temperatures and with the correct oil used.

Do you have a record of what gearbox oil was used? If it was incorrect it may have caused your problems and therefore you may have redress against the garage that did the work.

If the incorrect oil was used there may well be a lot of damage done already but why speculate? Get the car to a reputable gearbox specilaist or better still to Olly (Black55 on here, he has already replied to you)

His company is Prestige Car Services 02392570123

Its hard to answer these questions as the car is sitting at the mechnics at the moment, I had to get the AA to tow it to them which would stop me really from taking it anyway far (especially to Black55 who is near Poutsmouth) as its currently worse than limp mode

I am waiting for them to call me back and then will ask which oil the have used for the previous job..

 

[BlackC55]

I suspect a loss of fluid that has caused lack of drive. This lack of fluid may have damaged the gearbox internaly.

 

[t0lerence]

So they finally called me back and asked me to sit down, they have apparently found metal bits in the filter they opened to check and their diagnostic is that the gearbox needs to be changed

I asked if they used STAR, they don't have one, I reminded them that the the filter and fluids were only changed a month ago, he seems to think that someone (previous owner) treated the car really really badly and that the gearbox should not be failing at this age.

My options he offered were to either get a reconditioned gearbox (a rebuild as I understand) with 1 year warranty to the cost of £1450!!

Get a second hand one with 1 months warranty, they found one for £750 + £30 oil change + £200 labour, total £980

Prices are then plus VAT! Naturally I am having a heart attack here and want to spend the least amount as I just want to get rid of it now!

Any advice or comments anyone can offer?

Thanks in advance

 

[t0lerence]

I'm trying to work out what the best option is now as I have located a second hand gearbox that will cost £520 delivered (auto triptronic) from Dronsfield plus the £230 labour costs from the garage or should I get it towed and have it double checked again on a STAR...

 

[BlackC55]

IMO second hand gearboxes are not worth the trouble. Quite often they are also knackered.

 

[DSM10000]

If there are metal fragments in the filter then STAR will be of no help, the gearbox is clearly badly damaged.

Did this garage change the oil last time and if so what oil did they use? You say they are quoting £750 +£30 for the oil change. You cannot buy the correct oil for £30 so I am somewhat suspicious that they are not intending to use or have not used the correct materials previously.

 

[t0lerence]

IMO second hand gearboxes are not worth the trouble. Quite often they are also knackered.

I just need to get it road worthy at the least cost so that I can get rid of it!

If there are metal fragments in the filter then STAR will be of no help, the gearbox is clearly badly damaged.

Did this garage change the oil last time and if so what oil did they use? You say they are quoting £750 +£30 for the oil change. You cannot buy the correct oil for £30 so I am somewhat suspicious that they are not intending to use or have not used the correct materials previously.

I guess that others have also experienced gearboxes with metal bits inside?

The last time I was charged £260 to have the oil changed twice and a new filter put in, I don't think they used genuine Mercedes oil, I didn't ask, how much should the oil cost?

Also is this something I should be concerned about? I want to get it road worthy and get rid of it and minimise my loss?

Thanks for all your advice guys!

 

[BlackC55]

If it was my car I would get the box overhauled and keep it. You could buy a second hand box, get it fitted and find out that it is knackered too. Then you will have to pay the labour again to remove it. I have fitted two second hand gearboxes on MB's and both were worn out. Both were supplied by my customers. It ended up costhing them more in the long run. Also you have to consider that there is metal inside the Torque converter and cooler lines too so make sure that it looked into also.

Do it properly do it once.

 

[t0lerence]

If it was my car I would get the box overhauled and keep it.

Even if you knew you ere gonna get rid of it and wanted to minimise your loss?

You could buy a second hand box, get it fitted and find out that it is knackered too. Then you will have to pay the labour again to remove it. I have fitted two second hand gearboxes on MB's and both were worn out. Both were supplied by my customers. It ended up costing them more in the long run.

That is exactly what I am afraid of, the company I spoke to told me that it was to be taken out from a 05 C180 that has done 55,000 miles. He then surprised me by telling me that the automatics are all triptonic, mine has the + / - but has never worked, I didn't even relise that when buying the bleeding thing!

Also you have to consider that there is metal inside the Torque converter and cooler lines too so make sure that it looked into also.

I didn't even think about this, so I need to tell them to remove the metal while its being repaired, I assumed that this would be done when the oil is changed again?

Do it properly do it once.

I agree with that statement 100% and i bet it annoys you just like it does me when things are no not right the first time! Have you considered moving up to London lol?

I guess I will need to make a decision about this tonight...

 

[htavs]

I have the P0730 code!!!! I just recently changed the auto transmission oil bought it from dealers, I drove it home fine, but then found that the SMG manual +/- wasn't working coming down hill 40mph and it was in third.

I changed the gear oil and the harness seals, Checked the code on my scanner and it was incorrect ratios P0730. Im going to stick it on the lift tomorrow to see whats up I think it may be something simple.

But I did jet wash the underside of it so I may have got water in the Gearbox ECU, or in the electrical harness. Im going to blast it out with the air jet gun.

Fingers crossed its something simple!!!

 

[htavs]

So they finally called me back and asked me to sit down, they have apparently found metal bits in the filter they opened to check and their diagnostic is that the gearbox needs to be changed

I asked if they used STAR, they don't have one, I reminded them that the the filter and fluids were only changed a month ago, he seems to think that someone (previous owner) treated the car really really badly and that the gearbox should not be failing at this age.

My options he offered were to either get a reconditioned gearbox (a rebuild as I understand) with 1 year warranty to the cost of £1450!!

Get a second hand one with 1 months warranty, they found one for £750 + £30 oil change + £200 labour, total £980

Prices are then plus VAT! Naturally I am having a heart attack here and want to spend the least amount as I just want to get rid of it now!

Any advice or comments anyone can offer?

Thanks in advance

£30 for the oiL!!! MEANS ITS THERE FAULT BECAUSE THEY USED THE WRONG OIL!!!! TELL THEM TO SIT DOWN AND HAND THEM A SUMMONS FOR THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT!

They stuck in normal ATF you need the oil from mercedes about £14/litre of which according to mercedes you need 3.5 litres so £30????

 

[htavs]

Update

An Update on my P0730 Code, I drove it home last night after posting the link from my dads house and it drove 100% no issue at all.

However this morning when I drove it it was lumpy it was jerking when changing gears. I drove it back to my garage and added the remainder of the oil I had from Mercedes with a tab bit of Lucas ATF. Drove it home from the garage then I did another 12-13 mile trip and it was changing perfect very slick.

So fingers crossed it should be fine. So I'm guessing it was a lack of Gear oil, Mercedes sold me 4 litres of it stating it only needed 3.5 litres for a change. So I have 4 litres in it with about 100ml of Lucas ATF.