Tranny Or Clutch Or What? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

matthias08 · #1 03-08-2008, 05:20 PM

so tuesday in the parking lot of school... I started... well... backup ... glowed, and glowed, and glowed, and cranked, and glowed, and glowed. now started... everything was back to norm.

started to pull out, got to the stop sign and the [BRAKE] light came on...

... I get off of the brake it goes away

...

let the clutch out... and there's an odd springy noise coming from the pedal when i relase it

make it about another mile up.... the clutch isn't engaging at all!!!!!

so yea. i had it stuck in 2nd gear. tried making it home... didn't work... had her towed.

my mechanic still hasn't called me yet.

he isn't too indepth with benz but he does have one other '81 240 auto... so he's learning...

do i have 2 different problems??? or is it somehow linked???

babymog · #2 03-08-2008, 05:59 PM

I don't have a stick, but it sounds like your clutch puked brake fluid drawn from a common reservoir on the brake master cylinder.

Someone here will know if this applies to your model.

kerry · #3 03-08-2008, 06:06 PM

Could be as simple as being low on brake fluid. The system is designed so that once fluid drops to a certain level, the clutch stops functioning. This is a courtesy of MB engineers who figured you'd prefer to be without a clutch rather than without brakes.

matthias08 · #4 03-08-2008, 06:43 PM

so I should be adding brake fluid... and finding its exit point? or maybe my master cylinder is gone?

am I gathering everything correctly?

kerry · #5 03-08-2008, 06:47 PM

Yes.

babymog · #6 03-08-2008, 06:51 PM

Most likely a leak at a soft-line or the clutch slave cylinder, might be such a small leak that it's taken weeks to get this low. You will probably need to bleed the clutch to get it to work properly if it has gotten air in it.

matthias08 · #7 03-08-2008, 06:56 PM

ugh.

i got the car in August

well. i've had and driven the 240 daily since october. had new rotors & pads in october as well

never had a problem until now.

mechanic noted new slave cylinder as well...
so i'm guessing very slow leak. ugh. like my vaccume leak

I have a new holding tank tho!

matthias08 · #8 03-08-2008, 06:57 PM

oh... btw. THANKS!
haha.

babymog · #9 03-08-2008, 07:00 PM

If it's a very slow leak, and not getting on brakes or exhaust or paint, you can probably just monitor the level and live with it. More likely a soft line blew, if there's a rubber line to the slave cylinder I'd guess that one. Best of luck though, I hope it's an easy fix like the bleed screw was left loose ;~) If so, play the lottery! (and remember me, your long-lost cousin)

matthias08 · #10 03-08-2008, 07:19 PM

haha. well...

I'm hoping to get it figured out SOON!
I wanted to start sanding the body after spring break is over (2 weeks!)
if i win the lottery it isn't all that far from the OSU campus to SW michigan... but then again... I'd be risking my life

that and attempting to drive a hardtopless 300SL in this nice little white storm we're getting is far from thrilling. for sure

babymog · #11 03-08-2008, 07:36 PM

I'm from Upper Arlington, used to ride my bicycle to OSU campus. We MUST be cousins.

t walgamuth · #12 03-08-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

If it's a very slow leak, and not getting on brakes or exhaust or paint, you can probably just monitor the level and live with it. More likely a soft line blew, if there's a rubber line to the slave cylinder I'd guess that one. Best of luck though, I hope it's an easy fix like the bleed screw was left loose ;~) If so, play the lottery! (and remember me, your long-lost cousin)

YOu really don't want to try to live with this. YOu need to find the source of the leak and fix it. It will only get worse.

Tom W

matthias08 · #13 03-08-2008, 07:46 PM

I really just need to somehow get a grey market ML270CDI. for sure.
either that or a GL420CDI

but yea. thanks.
if its just a line I'm talking like minimal work. or could it be more of a $$$$$$ type deal?

charmalu · #14 03-08-2008, 10:25 PM

have you looked under your carpets to see if the floor is wet with brake fluid?

Charlie

kerry · #15 03-09-2008, 12:12 AM

When I first bought my 307d in the UK the clutch did not work. I figured out it had taken a gulp of air from the brake fluid being low. Once I filled up the reservoir and bled the clutch I never had the problem again.

I'm not saying this is your problem, just that it's possible it could be as simple as that.