w211 2004 (04) e320 cdi Gearbox slip?

[merc85]

Hi, a friend of mine has a w211 (04) 2004 e320 cdi, when the car is moved from cold the gearbox lumps into 2nd, Also there seems to be a small delay between 1st and 2nd gear (almost like a false neutral) if he manually shifts it whilst its doing the change with the lever it changes into the gear immediately.

Is the gearbox slipping? or is this normal? when the car is warm everything is fine.

Mine seems to be similar in operation

 

[Aero]

I have a very similar, common problem. Only when cold though on first change of the day. After a couple of mins all is good except for the occasional odd thing or two. I have no errors showing on star (checked twice) and no warning lights hence from my end I think it's the valves in the valve body sticking or leaking in the 1st/2nd and possibly 3rd when things are cold. O-rings never last forever..... I'm living with it for now until it gets worse then I'll brave a big bill to dry out the valve body and have it looked at/replaced. Also I believe TC can give up or the TCM although TCM seems to kick up errors easily if anything is wrong hence I think it's more mechanical in my case.

 

[merc85]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Aero, Yes mine and his are both fine once warm, its just the 1st change from cold. Both cars have a very similar mileage to 92k.

 

[KeithJG]

Hi Gav,

i am on 100500 and the 7g has been playing up like it did a year ago but only played up the once but this time with subtle flaring between gears and an error code of P2201.

Went down to Ollys at PCS and on STAR it does say Speed sensors and he had an electroplate to put on but STAR says it needs the full valve block as it will make the sensors go kaput again.

So paid my money of £1136 inc. vat for the valve block and it comes from Germany via lorry as it cannot be flown because of the parts nature....so i will return in 5/10 days and get it fitted...still to pay labour and ATF bits etc.

The remap has nothing to do with it as it played up before i had it done. The box box all works perfectly and no jolts when cold except the subtle flaring when going soft on the throttle when WOT gearbox changes as any other.

I am only changing it as i will be all over France this year and don`t want any problems abroad!

Keith

 

[merc85]

Cheers keith, I had a speed sensor/conductor plate put in mine.

My friends sounds quite abit worse i haven't driven it though just wondered if any others on here who have the 5g box have similar issues?

 

[HB]

Never had that particular issue. My TC went wonky with the glycol problem. Perfect now though after the refurb.
First thing I would do is change the gearbox oil.

 

[merc85]

Cheers HB, mines had 3 changes in 12k lol, but my friends one has had only one and that was about 40k ago. Like i say im pretty sure mine is ok (apart from the 1st change it does) from cold.

Dont know if this has anything to do with it, But it's just accured to me that we both live on a Hill, his steaper than mine, so the 1st change up will be under pressure so to speak.

 

[HB]

Cheers HB, mines had 3 changes in 12k lol, but my friends one has had only one and that was about 40k ago. Like i say im pretty sure mine is ok (apart from the 1st change it does) from cold.

Dont know if this has anything to do with it, But it's just accured to me that we both live on a Hill, his steaper than mine, so the 1st change up will be under pressure so to speak.

40k since his last change, I would definitely do the oil change first.