W211 E320 ATF/Glycol problem?

[Diver]

I've recently bought a 9/2013 W211 E320 CDi with what was described as a 'misfire'. It feels to me more like a juddering of the kind that would be consistent with the ATF/Glycol issue.

I do have a Valeo radiator, but I THINK it's the later type based on the crimps, but could someone familiar with them confirm from these photos please?





Incidentally the ATF looks like this.......

 

[4life211]

The ATF looks terrible. You should replace it immediately and clean the solenoid valve body with electric spray.Misfire comes from engine not from transmission.

 

[bob6600]

The Valeo problem was on very early PF W211s. An '09 FL should not suffer from these issues

 

[Diver]

It certainly does look bad. I'm thinking at the moment that there may be no point in changing it if it needs a new torque converter, so I'm trying to find somewhere that can do a glycol test. My local specialist can't do it and I'm waiting for a call back from the nearest dealer to find out if they can.
I'm aware that a misfire comes from the engine, it was described as a misfire by the seller (and it does have a very bad blow on injector 4), but to me it feels more like a judder from the transmission. The two are fairly similar in the symptoms when driving so not 100%.

 

[Diver]

The Valeo problem was on very early PF W211s. An '09 FL should not suffer from these issues

It was registered September 2003, not 2013. Sorry, typo!

 

[millo777]

There is a company in the US that make glycol contamination test strips. I think it's "accustrip", but I haven't found anywhere in the UK that sells them.

I was hoping to test my 03 E320cdi for the same thing.

My current plan is to disconnect the trans cooler lines and then pressure test the cooling system, which will hopefully confirm if the rad has any leaks.

 

[Diver]

A pressure test sounds like a good idea, I'm thinking of replacing my radiator depending on if it looks like one of the problem ones or not, so taking the old one to get tested would be an option.
I didn't get a call back from the dealer, so I'll try them again tomorrow and see what they charge. I think I'll ask a local auto transmission specialist if they are able to test the ATF, it must come up with other vehicles too given that the oil cooler is always in the coolant radiator.

 

[bob6600]

It was registered September 2003, not 2013. Sorry, typo!

Haha no problem. In that case get it sorted now.

I'm sure merc85 did his, might even be a thread on it

 

[merc85]

Going on those crimps, you certainly have the Valeo Radiator, Personally even if the car is the later one, Which in your case it isn't id still change the radiator's.

These 211's are all getting old and maybe subject to leaky rads because of this.

Id also be inclined to change the metal pipe work which goes directly into the rad as the old ones do get rather crispy and can snap on removal.

New pipes are £25 each please vat from Mb. You will get around 3.5 to 4 ltrs out from changing the oil what is in the Sump pan, Not to mention changing the gearbox filter also.

Some early cars have a drain bung on the torque convertor so you can drain the fluid from that too. PCS did great write up on here.

I've Replaced 3x Radiator's on these w211's and numerous transmission oil changes.

 

[Auto-mobile]

That production date ties in with faulty radiators.

 

[martyz]

You have a blow from one of the injectors...it will run rough,sort that first,get a transmission and filter change,that should sort it.

 

[Diver]

Going on those crimps, you certainly have the Valeo Radiator, Personally even if the car is the later one, Which in your case it isn't id still change the radiator's.

These 211's are all getting old and maybe subject to leaky rads because of this.

Id also be inclined to change the metal pipe work which goes directly into the rad as the old ones do get rather crispy and can snap on removal.

New pipes are £25 each please vat from Mb. You will get around 3.5 to 4 ltrs out from changing the oil what is in the Sump pan, Not to mention changing the gearbox filter also.

Some early cars have a drain bung on the torque convertor so you can drain the fluid from that too. PCS did great write up on here.

I've Replaced 3x Radiator's on these w211's and numerous transmission oil changes.

Thanks, I agree with your thoughts on the rad. Mine is definitely Valeo (label on top) and although it looks most like the photo of the later non-problematic one I have no idea how old it is so could still be an issue going forward so changing it would be wise. I see Euro Car Parts are offering rads at a reasonable price (EIS make?)

Considering the colour of the atf and the fact that I'm 90% sure it's showing the symptoms of glycol contamination, would you say changing the oil would be worth a try? Or just go straight for a recon torque converter?

 

[Diver]

You have a blow from one of the injectors...it will run rough,sort that first,get a transmission and filter change,that should sort it.

Seals, bolts and re-seat tool are on the way. From what I've read, if it's showing the symptoms of glycol contamination, it'll definitely need a new torque converter? Or maybe not?

 

[merc85]

I fitted a Nissens unit in my s211 e320cdi, which was fine, I've also fitted a EIS unit in 55k which touch wood has also been fine.

A friend of mine bought a ebay "special" unit and one of the Hose connectors was not deep enough so the coolant hoses didn't fit. We in the end swapped the Flange off the old unit onto the replacement one which did the job, Was a pitta of a job.

The valeo units were changed to Behr in the later cars so id say if its a Valeo unit best get it out.

 

[4life211]

Where can I see the valeo label??

 

[merc85]

Where can I see the valeo label??

Under the fan shroud at the top, also right hand side of unit in the middle of the side tank, also on the drain bung nsf

 

[Diver]

So, I've just ordered the Euro Car Parts EIS radiator.

I'm about to order the ATF filter and gasket, but wondering what the thoughts are on ATF type. Should just the genuine Mercedes ATF be used? Or are cheaper generic types OK? Given that I feel fairly sure that it'll all need to come out again to change the torque converter, I'd like to keep the fluid as cheap as possible at this stage. I'm seeing Dexron 111 as the correct alternative, can someone confirm?

 

[bob6600]

Any of these will do

https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/236.14_en.html

Product name Principal
Mercedes-Benz Automatik-Getriebeöl MB 236.14 Daimler AG, Stuttgart/Deutschland
MB 236.14 ATF NAG2VSport A 001 989 68 03 Daimler AG, Stuttgart/Deutschland
Aral Getriebeöl ATF M14 Aral Aktiengesellschaft, Hamburg/Deutschland
arexons ATF 236.14 PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL, VILLASTELLONE (Torino)/ITALY
ATF 7-Speed Raloy Lubricantes, S.A. de C.V., Santiago Tianguistenco/MEXICO
ATF M14 Syneco S.p.A., San Giuliano Milanese/ITALY
Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134 Fuchs Petrolub AG, Mannheim/Deutschland
LETOF ATF 134 Daqing LAOTE Lubricants CO.,LTD, Daqing/P. R. of CHINA
LIQUI MOLY TOP TEC ATF 1600 Liqui Moly GmbH, Ulm/Deutschland
LIQUIMATIC DX14 Morris Lubricants, SHREWSBURY/UNITED KINGDOM
LUKOIL ATF SYNTH M 14 OOO LLK-International, MOSCOW/RUSSIA
Mobil ATF 134 Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, Texas/USA
MOTUL ATF 236.14 Motul , AUBERVILLIERS CEDEX/FRANCE
Q8 AUTO 25 Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Kuwait/KUWAIT
RAVENOL ATF M 9-Serie Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH, Werther/Deutschland
Shell ATF134 Shell International Petroleum Company, LONDON/UNITED KINGDOM
Shell SPIRAX S6 ATF 134M Shell International Petroleum Company, LONDON/UNITED KINGDOM
Sinopec Greatwall ATF-B14 Lubricant Company, Sinopec Corp., Beijing/P. R. of CHINA
Tim Eckart ATF 7 Performance 236.14 Tim Eckart Automatikölwechselsystem, Wildeck-Obersuhl/Deutschland
Total Fluidmatic 7S Total Lubrifiants, PARIS la Defense Cedex/FRANCE
TUTELA TRANSMISSION STARFLUID 7S PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL, KUALA LAMPUR/MALAYSIA
Valvoline ATF Pro 236.14 The Valvoline Company, LEXINGTON, KY/USA

 

[Diver]

Thanks Bob,

I found PFS Parts selling a complete kit with filter, gasket, sensor and genuine Merc oil for £100 so I went with that as I didn't think it was too bad. Now to see if I get away with it or if the damage has been done.....

 

[merc85]

Dexron 3 is not man "PCS" on here in his thread also highlighted this, Its semi synthetic and will break down quickly, You should put in MVatf, available from Most good Motor Factors and is Fully synthetic and complies with the correct Mb spec