"Your auto gearbox will fail in 10k miles, sir"

[patmore]

My 1997 C250TD auto had done 93k miles when it went in for service at a local independent garage. They phoned me with the above news and asked whether I had noticed, when slowing down to a standstill, that the gearbox changes down with a bit of a jolt instead of a smooth transition. How reliable is this diagnosis? They said that another tell-tale sign is a failure to engage reverse when cold but I have not had this.

I have since driven the car for another 6k miles with no change in the behaviour of the gearbox. If it is going to fail, will it happen suddenly or will the harsh drop-down just get worse? Is there any remedial action I can take? I have seen discussions elsewhere in this forum about replacing the ATF.

I would rather keep the car but then I also don't want to be driving around a car that is suddently going to die and be a very expensive repair. What should I do?

 

[splang]

i am in no way shape or form an expert but I wouldn't risk it.. I would sell the car.... sorry.

 

[mark.t]

the TD'S have a slightly harsher gear change if it can be called that, my personal experience is I sometimes get slightly harsher gear changes on the down shift when cold....when warn nothing but definitely not a jolt ....check your fluid level may be a change do a search on here for auto transmission fluid change

 

[bangerman]

Originally Mercedes said the gearboxes where filled for life. Then they said who's life!!

Change the oil and pick up filter, you will need a sump gasket as well.

There is loads of agruements about which oil to use.

I personally used merc oil, available in 1 ltr bottles. very expensive about £ 8 + vat.

made a big improvment to my gearbox.

There is loads of experts on here who can go indepth with you,

Search for gearbox oil change and read the past posts

All the best

 

[saorbust]

Originally Mercedes said the gearboxes where filled for life. Then they said who's life!!

Interesting. Yes I thought that too - until I found out my E (serviced Thursday) has now had its gearbox oil changed as part of the service. I think MB may be changing policy - at least this is what the dealer told me.

 

[grasmere]

Patmore - search this forum re auto gearboxes, ask any additional questions and you will be VERY much the wiser.

The very least would be a visit to a respected independant garage perhaps then a change of fluid, filter and gaskets etc and then you will know more to make a sale/keep decision.

imho

 

[silverarrow]

change the atf use mercfluid keep the old fluid in a container and place a magnet or 2 on the bottom of the container and look for metal bits if any and i mean any then box is well on its way out nothing lasts for ever things will go wrong and wear out
i have seen failed boxes at 55 k and 165 k BUT the ones that last longer have had atf and powerflush and torque con change and new filter and mbz fluid over or under filled draws air in and causes cavitation which increases wear
i have had 2 boxes in the past on a c class

 

[patmore]

Thanks for all of the replies and, yes, I had read previous posts about changing the gearbox oil. My question really was about the whether my indy garage (not a MB specialist) was right about the early symptoms? I haven't seen this symptom described in previous posts. It is difficult to describe the change down in words. It is not audible, but it is just a harsher (more sudden) change down from 2nd to 1st than, for example, the change up which is so smooth it is barely noticable.

Anyone know a good indy MB specialist in or near East Hertfordshire?

 

[grasmere]

I haven't seen this symptom described in previous posts.

I think it has been at some point iirc but certainly a fluid/filter change can only be a good non intrusive step that can only improve things.

You'll find a post from me as one of those that did the change last year. My gearbox occasionaly used to not want to change to 3rd I think until slightly after it normally did. Not noticeable by passengers especially but I could tell.

I did the change and it seemed to make no difference. ie every week or so it would happen again. Then - nothing. In fact I cannot remember the last time I noticed the problem. Its been perfect for many many months and the only change was the ATF/filter/gasket change.

HTH

 

[Karl]

patmore,
Have you checked the propshaft rubber couplings for play. A worn front one is favourite for causing this type of symptom, its worth checking and is not expensive to change it.

Karl

 

[Benzowner]

Patmore,
Not sure on your car, but if you have a summer/winter setting on your gear box, would suggest setting to winter. I experience the same problem on my autobox (E300TD) it seems to drop down to 1st, not smoothly. I have had the fluids changed and filters. It has been doing this now for about two or three years say 25k miles, I just accept it. However, if you drive in winter mode, the gearbox will not select 1st unless you kick down, so overcome the problem. I wonder with diesels, whether to torque converter works effeciently. A diesel produces its maximum torque at around 2000rpm or slightly less, a petrol produces its max torque at at least twice that figure, I wonder whether auto boxes on a diesel can cope with changing at such slow revs, but then again, I am no diesel engine/gearbox expert

 

[tim.100]

My C250 TD has a silky smooth change, as tested at -3 degrees yesterday. It has 60k, and the ATF was changed at 55k, IIRC.

There have been dozens of well-informed posts here on this subject - its a known issue with plenty of experiences and contributions.

Regards,

Tim

 

[mobeyone]

how can they say the box will fail in the next 10k?

 

[Benzowner]

how can they say the box will fail in the next 10k?

easy, they miss out the rest of the sentence................"and we could do with your money"

 

[Brian WH]

easy, they miss out the rest of the sentence................"and we could do with your money"

I agree with above, pure speculation and looking for work, in my opinion. Worth having the oil changed though - By someone else.

 

[SilverSaloon]

yeah if u really want to keep the car then i'd get it checked by someone else. sounds like they are saying this just to get some business.

 

[Alex Argent]

I agree about the regular (60k-70k miles) change in AT Fluid.
If anyone's interested, I still have a shedful (well really only 2 x 8 litres - nearly all MB boxes use 8 litres total, including torque converter) of brand new and sealed MB ATF (part No: A001 989 21 03 10).
See thread here: http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=20649
Regards,
Alex