W211 E280 gearbox issues

[abecketts]

Hi all,

Some advice from the collective would be appreciated. We have a 2009 W211e280 sport and she's just passed 100k and has been trouble free until yesterday. I arrived home after a 40 mile drive and put the car into reverse, it went into reverse with a slight clunk and then as I reversed it felt like the brakes were binding at slow speed. This morning on start up no engine warning lights but when the engine starts the car slightly jolts, on engaging drive the car jolts and feels as if it judders as slow speed, im park it feels as if the engine is surging slightly. It's fine whilst driving and shifts through the gears ok. Selecting reverse means I can hear a binding noise. If it was a fwd car i'd guess the drive shafts might be getting tired but obvs this isn't. The garage where we have it serviced isn't open until Monday. I will try and get a code reader onto it but does it sound like the torque converter is giving up the ghost?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[ALFAitalia]

100,000 miles would be a very short life for a TC....double that being typical......unless the lube is very contaminated.

 

[W1ghty]

Hi all,

Some advice from the collective would be appreciated. We have a 2009 W211e280 sport and she's just passed 100k and has been trouble free until yesterday. I arrived home after a 40 mile drive and put the car into reverse, it went into reverse with a slight clunk and then as I reversed it felt like the brakes were binding at slow speed. This morning on start up no engine warning lights but when the engine starts the car slightly jolts, on engaging drive the car jolts and feels as if it judders as slow speed, im park it feels as if the engine is surging slightly. It's fine whilst driving and shifts through the gears ok. Selecting reverse means I can hear a binding noise. If it was a fwd car i'd guess the drive shafts might be getting tired but obvs this isn't. The garage where we have it serviced isn't open until Monday. I will try and get a code reader onto it but does it sound like the torque converter is giving up the ghost?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Cheers

What’s the gearbox and filter ATF change history like ?

 

[abecketts]

What’s the gearbox and filter ATF change history like ?

I believe "sealed for life" so one hasn't been done

 

[ALFAitalia]

Oh dear.......


We I suppose that is sort of true.....but if you don't change it every 60 or 70 thousand miles that "life" might be a pretty short one!

 

[W1ghty]

I believe "sealed for life" so one hasn't been done

Sealed until death is how that turned out unfortunately.
Every 35-40k miles for that box . £250-300 at an Indy

 

[W1ghty]

I believe "sealed for life" so one hasn't been done

The 2009 model same as mine was never sealed for life , it had the gearbox service at 37500k as a one off .

 

[johnsco]

I've had various advice about the ATF change on my 2009 W211 E280 cdi Sports Estate.
I bought the car with 111,000 miles on the clock.
Previous ATF change history was unclear.
Shortly after purchase I had an ATF change and new filter.
It is now at 190,00 miles.
Usage has been a mix of motorway / urban .
I have done all of my own regular service work ... Apart from ATF/filter changes.
I have recently had a further ATF and filter change - carried out by my trusted garage..
All is well.
Performs as good as the day I bought it.

 

[DSM10000]

I believe "sealed for life" so one hasn't been done

It isn't.

 

[m80]

Might be worth checking the ATF level,
and if low look to see if there is leakage at the pilot bush.

An ATF service as soon as is a must.

I would consider having the parking brake system looked at, assuming it does get used.

 

[DSM10000]

I've had various advice about the ATF change on my 2009 W211 E280 cdi Sports Estate.
I bought the car with 111,000 miles on the clock.
Previous ATF change history was unclear.
Shortly after purchase I had an ATF change and new filter.
It is now at 190,00 miles.
Usage has been a mix of motorway / urban .
I have done all of my own regular service work ... Apart from ATF/filter changes.
I have recently had a further ATF and filter change - carried out by my trusted garage..
All is well.
Performs as good as the day I bought it.

Almost exactly the same history as my E 320

 

[abecketts]

Got the car to the garage today and they looked all over for what the vibration might be. The ATF was checked and it is lovely clean and fresh which is a relief. Engine and gearbox mounts have been checked and all are ok but the effort focuses on the pulley at the front of the engine as it seems to be wobbling and that might be the problem. Here's hoping.

 

[abecketts]

Car now booked into TES Transmissions in Westbury for further analysis, I have to wait until 2/4/2024 as they are so busy. So I took a 2011 M350 blue efficiency out for a drive, same engine and gearbox and it was so, so smooth and quiet unlike our car. The M class might make an appearance as a replacement at this rate and then I can sort the e class at my leisure.

 

[abecketts]

Just an update, the transmission specialist confirmed the gearbox as being all ok, the crank pulley is the problem and will be sorted next week.

 

[boxer 01]

I believe "sealed for life" so one hasn't been done

If the gearbox has never been serviced and it's on 100k I would get it serviced whilst it's in dock and make sure the torque converter is drained too, you will definitely notice the difference in gearbox performance.

 

[abecketts]

Well I’m an unhappy human, front pulley on the e280 removed and the vibration hasn’t gone away. So back to the transmission specialist I must go. To add to the “fun” the new to us M class is also experiencing vibration issues that appear to be gearbox related. At this rate I’ll be driving our more reliable Alfa Romeos…….

 

[W1ghty]

Well I’m an unhappy human, front pulley on the e280 removed and the vibration hasn’t gone away. So back to the transmission specialist I must go. To add to the “fun” the new to us M class is also experiencing vibration issues that appear to be gearbox related. At this rate I’ll be driving our more reliable Alfa Romeos…….

Engine and gearbox mounts ? If they have never been done they will need doing at some point .
I did my E class at around 100k as a treat and it definitely was noticeable afterwards .

 

[abecketts]

Engine and gearbox mounts have been checked but I will check again.

 

[abecketts]

A happy ending to this tale, the car went to RevTech in Ferndown who confirmed that both engine mounts and the gearbox mount needed changing. Genuine Merc parts are cheaper than the after market versions. The garage advised that the engine was lifting itself a few inches under power as one of the engine mounts had completely collapsed. Under £500 to sort and then the car can be prepared for sale.