Merc E320cdi auto gearbox problem - HELP

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

I picked up my 2003-53 E320 cdi (w211) avantgarde auto estate yesterday.

This morning when the car had been left overnight and the engine/gearbox was cold the gearbox was horrible.

Up and down changes really were rough and the whole car shook.

When the engine is warm the problem goes away 90% and the changes are much better.

The car does not creep forward either? Is this normal?

Have I purchased a lemon? The car looks mint has 150k with full history.

I cannot find any detail of gearbox oil changes....where do I start with this problem?

Are there any MB or gearbox specialist in or around Berkshire that come highly recommended??

Help
IceBoy

[longblackcoat]

Sounds like a torque converter problem, I'm afraid to say. Almost exactly the same symptoms as I've had in the past, and at about the same age. The solution was a stripdown and recon of the TC, and was a just-under-four-figure job at an indy.

There may well be a zillion other reasons for this, but I'd start with transmission - find an auto specialist rather than an indy, and try them first.

[infradig]

Before you do anything rash and expensive,get the fluid and filter changed. These 'sealed for life' no dipstick Merc transmissions often respond well to a clean out and refill. Usually costs £150- £200 if you get a decent Merc Indie on the case .

[IceBoy]

Oil change on the gearbox sounds like a good start but I will get a MB or auto gearbox specialist to check and see what they think first.

Any recommendation in the Berkshire area?

IceBoy

[surveyor]

V6 or straight 6?

Google Valeo - I thought that had been sorted by 2005 but the symptoms sound familiar.

Daft radiator that corrodes and allow gearbox oil and coolant to mix.

[longblackcoat]

surveyor said:

V6 or straight 6?

Google Valeo - I thought that had been sorted by 2005 but the symptoms sound familiar.

Daft radiator that corrodes and allow gearbox oil and coolant to mix.

This^^^ Which is what can screw your TC.

Doubleflushing the transmission fluid (better yet, a Megaflush) can prolong the transmission life, but if it's as bad as you say, this won't cure it. Might get running well enough to sell it on through an auction though.

If you've just picked it up (from a dealer) then this has clearly not just arisen overnight....any comeback there?

Edited by longblackcoat on Monday 29th October 20:47

[IceBoy]

When warm it is 90% ok.
IceBoy

[Adam-b]

Coolant thermostat and temp sensor (all one part) commonly fail and cause similar issues.

[GreatGranny]

Dealer or private?

Surely if dealer supplied that would be your first port of call.

[anonymous-user]

IceBoy said:

full history.

I cannot find any detail of gearbox oil changes

Don't take this as being unhelpful but those two statements are contradictory IMO - the W211 Merc autoboxes are known to require transmission fluid changes.

Whoever was stamping the 'full history' should've known that and recommended it unless the previous owner declined, therefore I'd probably recommend you take it somewhere OTHER than the garage that's previously serviced the car for an honest opinion.

[confused_buyer]

With the common torque convertor problem is usually fine when stone cold then starts juddering as it warms through so it might not be that.