w211 gearbox delay

[Druk]

Friend has a 320CDi 2009 7speed tip. Going from drive to reverse there is a very noticable delay. Easily two seconds before drive takes up. Normal going from reverse to fwd. My 5speed is almost instantaneous.

Is the delay normal or any ideas please? (before he complains)

 

[alibally]

You will get a bit of a delay. It would be worth nipping along to the dealer to see if there is a software update for the engine and gearbox. They can also re-adapt the box after the reflash as well. This might help but it's worth getting done anyway as its under warranty.

 

[BlackC55]

This may happen too if you are low on fluid.

 

[w124coupe]

Bit of a pig to check - needs to be at specific temp (60C I believe) and level measured by overflow underneath! And no filling tube either....needs an adaptor underneath that Merc classify as a workshop-only tool.

 

[AndyPCD]

As w124coupe says these are a pig to check but needs to be at 45C to check the oil and this temp can be only read on a star machine.

I would complain as it could be a software problem and needs an update and readapting. But there definetly shouldnt be that much of a delay

 

[w124coupe]

Ah, I knew it was a weird temp - not cold and certainly not hot either!

I assume you could check the temp with an IR thermometer though?

 

[phil c]

All so make sure you use the correct oil , as the five speed oil is not compatible to the seven speed oil , but you can put the seven speed oil in the five speed as its more tempreture stable for towing ect

 

[AndyPCD]

Personally as its a 2009 vehicle i wouldnt even bother looking at the car as its still under warranty and if they see you have been tampering with it they will try to blame you and not repair it under warranty.

 

[Druk]

Thanks for the advice so far. We're not going near it, just looking for a heads-up if it's actually a fault and not something all 7 speed boxes do.

 

[sjmaxwell]

I've got the same on my 2009 CLK 320CDi. Is there a fix for it or is it normal?

 

[wadeyblue]

I get the same delay going into reverse on my 2008 eclass 280.
If I completely stop the car before selection reverse it is much more instant??
Any comments??

 

[D-18]

Druk, just nipped out to the driveway to check mine. Going from R to D or vice versa, the take up of drive is almost immediate. Mine has the latest software and had the adaptions reset by MB Newbridge a few weeks ago. I'm on 39K miles with an ATF and filter change at 37K miles. You're welcome to have a shot of mine if you get the 'they all do that sir' treatment.

 

[sinewave]

Checking in the driveway is not a true reflection of road use when the car has been traveling at speed in a forward direction then slows to 2-3mph then is shoved in reverse!

You've got to expect a short delay while the box compensates for the change in direction.

It's similar to the syncromesh on a manual.

Try shoving a manual in reverse when still moving forwards!

 

[John]

I get the same delay going into reverse on my 2008 eclass 280.
If I completely stop the car before selection reverse it is much more instant??
Any comments??

Mine is slightly slow out of the blocks going from reverse back into drive.

The wait seems longer than the reality - it's probably still half a second but my other previous autos were a lot faster.

 

[trapperjohn]

Have you guys noticed you are replying to a 2009 thread. Still valid though.

 

[D-18]

Have you guys noticed you are replying to a 2009 thread. Still valid though.

That's because we're all really helpful chaps, not a bunch of unobservant pillocks.....nice one TJ

 

[John]

I noticed about 7 posts before I got to yours TJ - this second time around!

So easy to overlook but as you say, still valid.

 

[wadeyblue]

Thanks D-18 where are you in the east of Scotland?
wadeyblue

 

[D-18]

Thanks D-18 where are you in the east of Scotland?

Frequently wearing a groove in the M8, but notionally Edinburgh.