The options with a Mercedes automatic gearbox problem?

Silverbenz

Mercedes 2004 E Class Automatic Diesel CDI220 high mileage estate. She was driving smooth after spending close to a grand on her recently.

..and now looks like I have an automatic gearbox issue.:(

It got stuck in first briefly a couple of days ago ..fine on 2 short drives since - it is going up and down the gears smoothly.My mechanic is recommending getting it sorted in Dublin with a gearbox specialist. (Rang one specialist in Dublin and they do a 50 euro check but said likely by my description a full refurb is likely especially with E Class Diesels.)

I think my options are as follows..

Option 1 – Full Gearbox Refurb at Specialist in Dublin (we live in galway) ..not an option at a cost of €2,500 with a 6 month gearbox warranty.

Option 2 – Price around every gearbox specialist and see if that €2,500 price comes down. It would have to come down to at least a grand and can’t see that happening.

Option 3 – Source a used gearbox from a car dismantler ..could be talking 500 euro and then theres the problem of finding a reputable mechanic to fit it and the cost there?

Option 4 – Leave it and see – take my chances driving it but be the sounds of things highly likely that gears will raise an issue again and worry that it could stick at a higher speed. Apparently forgetting about it will guarantee destroying the gearbox.

..any advice or direction given would be much appreciated ?

(I'm a young dad with a household of nappies and bills a plenty..starting to regret buying the car as haveher less than a year)

biko

I'd start with Western Gearbox on Tuam Rd. See what they say.

ronaneire

Try and have the gearbox power flushed and then filled with new transmission fluid, will cost a couple pf hundred quid but its possible it might solve your problem.

Not a bad looking car either.

Silverbenz

thks Biko will do - much appreciated!

Silverbenz

thks ronaneire for giving some hope ..will put forth that suggestion to gearbox shop - (shes a looker alright) thought the same myself when i first spotted her for sale..thks again for your help!

JP 1800

First of all get the gearbox codes read by someone with MB STAR to find out what the actual codes are, then as stated get the flush done which will cost no more than 280 euro. if it is the 5 speed auto it will be the 722.6 box which needs a fluid and filter change at 100K according to a Mercedes bulletin, the earlier boxes were supposed to be sealed for life but that policy was changed after complaints of gearbox failure. Other failure points on those boxes are fluid leaking into the gearbox ECU or the worst case scenario are burnt clutch plates down to very old fluid.

hiltan

I would say gear box issue you cannot solve by yourself it you should call the mechanic because the gear box problem may contain different issues like gear box oil leakage or something else so I suggest without wasting time consult with good mechanics.

Silverbenz

thks JP`1800 - I think for piece of mind a flush and gear oil/filter change is a must as I am over the 100k marker (120k) in the process of getting it hooked up for MB code check..thinking now is that it is gear electronics ie: speed sensors. Incidently now getting 'SBC Not on Hold' on the dash.
cheers for your reply again.

MercMad

A fluid and filter change and a flush is a good start but I have found with these cars that your battery has to be 100%. I chased an intermittent gearbox problem on a W202 for a year and I changed the battery, due to its sudden failure, and all the gearbox issues went away.

A second hand unit is not a good option as you will need to have it "authorised" by someone with a good dealer level diagnostic unit, and only then will you know if you have a good one.

darragh o meara

MercMad wrote: »

A fluid and filter change and a flush is a good start but I have found with these cars that your battery has to be 100%. I chased an intermittent gearbox problem on a W202 for a year and I changed the battery, due to its sudden failure, and all the gearbox issues went away.

As above the gearbox oil and filter is a definite start. Ive seen a few C class's give gearbox trouble that all boiled down to a low gearbox oil level. A flush, new oil and filter could save you the hassle of buying a refurbed box.

Nice car by the way, The E class estate will be my next purchase, Cant wait

Wheres My ForkandKnife

The first thing I would do is get the gearbox dipped to see if it is low on oil.I had a 210 where the clutches were slipping and it got stuck in first once and a topup sorted it.When I got a 211 I rang around the main dealers in Dublin to see how much a oil and filter change was and they all came in at under €250 as far as I can remember.This included the electricial connector being changed to help prevent the oil reaching the gearbox ECU

At your mileage a change of oil would do no harm.Hopefully it sorts it for you.

Silverbenz

thks very the help and advice ..i like your profile name too.. Wheres My forkand Knife

Silverbenz

Getting gear oil done as we speak so thanks for the help..love the look of the car really do so hope to keep it for as long as i can!

Silverbenz

thks MercMad will mention the battery to my mechanic who is working on the car at the moment...good tip..much appreciated..

crosshair1

Silverbenz wrote: »

Getting gear oil done as we speak

Has the trans been scanned for faults yet? If so what are they?

Wheres My ForkandKnife

Silverbenz wrote: »

Getting gear oil done as we speak so thanks for the help..love the look of the car really do so hope to keep it for as long as i can!

Best of luck.Hope it works out for you.Lovely looking car btw.Post back in a week or two and let us know how you got on.

When I had the oil and filter change initially I thought the gear change was a little smoother but this could have been physcological.Sometimes I feel my car is driving better after a clean:D

Silverbenz

So work completed on my car. firstly yes it was hooked up to two different units to check for error codes. The first independent that I had not dealt with before got a next door contact to do it and they said it was the speed sensors - 2 gone normally all 4 as a pack need to be replaced...think €500 with labour was quoted. When my own independent mechanic returned he said to get it hooked up to a MB Unit which told a different story. The electronics within the auto gearbox needed to be replaced. So went with this option - a New electronic transmission control unit has been fitted with a gearbox oil/filter change. Total cost approx 500. Drove her galway/dublin return journey yesterday for work and all is well so fingers and everything else crossed!*! Next job which has been outstanding for a while is the boot struts for the back estate door are gone and need to be replaced..told 150 a piece..fitting them is not so easy i believe..access point someone said was through the boot net hooks in roof. Cars?? perhaps..a pony would be easier to maintain.

toyota799

Try Conway Transmissions, in WALKINSTOWN Dublin. Call Fergus 01 4502623

He fixed my BMW 530d gearbox, which had serious problems, and he was cheap.

He wont mess you around and he wont rob you.

Wheres My ForkandKnife

toyota799 wrote: »

Try Conway Transmissions, in WALKINSTOWN Dublin. Call Fergus 01 4502623

He fixed my BMW 530d gearbox, which had serious problems, and he was cheap.

He wont mess you around and he wont rob you.

But the gearbox is fixed and he is in Galway anyway

Glad to hear it got sorted.For the boot struts ring Otto of GSF.If that price of €150 is correct I would be shopping around.Take comfort that you didn't spend 2.5k on a rebuild

crosshair1

FYI the 2 speed sensors in the box are mounted on the electro plate and not seperately available, this is what it appears to have been replaced in your case.
The transmission control unit is not in the gearbox but under the passenger side footwell.
Looks to me like both independants got the diagnosis correct just used incorrect terms to describe the problem to you.

Stella Virgo

Silverbenz wrote: »

Mercedes 2004 E Class Automatic Diesel CDI220 high mileage estate. She was driving smooth after spending close to a grand on her recently.

..and now looks like I have an automatic gearbox issue.:(

It got stuck in first briefly a couple of days ago ..fine on 2 short drives since - it is going up and down the gears smoothly.My mechanic is recommending getting it sorted in Dublin with a gearbox specialist. (Rang one specialist in Dublin and they do a 50 euro check but said likely by my description a full refurb is likely especially with E Class Diesels.)

I think my options are as follows..

Option 1 – Full Gearbox Refurb at Specialist in Dublin (we live in galway) ..not an option at a cost of €2,500 with a 6 month gearbox warranty.

Option 2 – Price around every gearbox specialist and see if that €2,500 price comes down. It would have to come down to at least a grand and can’t see that happening.

Option 3 – Source a used gearbox from a car dismantler ..could be talking 500 euro and then theres the problem of finding a reputable mechanic to fit it and the cost there?

Option 4 – Leave it and see – take my chances driving it but be the sounds of things highly likely that gears will raise an issue again and worry that it could stick at a higher speed. Apparently forgetting about it will guarantee destroying the gearbox.

..any advice or direction given would be much appreciated ?

(I'm a young dad with a household of nappies and bills a plenty..starting to regret buying the car as haveher less than a year)

ALWAYS START WITH THE BASICS...find out when the gearbox oil was changed last...its quite possible it was never changed:eek:...people change engine oil every 5000 miles...yet, ask them about gear oil change and the go totally blank:rolleyes:, i had a auto micra with a very slow gearbox ,took ages to change up...i drained out the box ,refilled with new synthetic gear oil,...it transformed the car like new.:)
i have seen manual/auto boxes with 70000miles plus... and never a gear oil change done on them!!!

NobodyImportant

Yes, i agree, so many auto/cvt gearbox issues are sorted by a simple flush of gearbox oil.

Honda CVT's need regular changes (40k kms) and specifically Honda branded CVT fluid. People ignore this scheduled service and give out when the gearbox starts shuddering or failing with 100k kms on the clock.

StefanRadu

I got the oil done on mercedes clas c180 for 130 euro in Galway.
also a scrap box is around 230 here in Galway....there are a few available as I am checking them often

biko

2013 thread locked so people don't get confused with old posts.