Hi all,
I purchased a 2001 ML 270 cdi in Jan with only 84k (miles) on the clock, fsh and very very tidy internally and externally. Bought it to tow my caravan with and since Jan have driven it 1400 miles in total. Had a problem with slipping gears. Discovered very little ATF in the box so a new gearbox seal and pilot bush was fitted and car seemed to be alright. First outing towing the van and the slipping came back good style.
I returned the car to the dealer and they took it to an auto gearbox specialist (not a merc specialist) who said that the 3rd gear clutch had failed and that they have repaired /replaced (not sure which) the 3rd gear clutch, resealed the gearbox and fitted a new torque converter at a cost of £1500 ish.
Yesterday I took it for a test after the repair without the caravan and.... going up a 10% gradient hill in the Lake District it jumped out of gear, shot round to 5000 revs then seemed to re-engage a gear. Limp mode pretty swiftly followed and continued til stop. Strong smell of burning oil on stop.
This happened after about 60 miles. When in limp mode the temperature gauge went pretty quickly up to 100 degrees. Once limp mode reset it went back down to 80.

On the return it went into limp mode once and then behaved pretty well.

Some observations..

* It cant seem to cope with gear changes above 2500 revs.
* It doesnt change up very smoothly,sometimes lurches into a gear.
* Kick down is better since the repair
* Happens when the engine gets really warmed up..after 60 miles or so
* Happens when the gearbox is put under pressure on a hill climb above 2500 revs
* Speed was about 30 - 40 mph

I am now a desperate woman with this car! and would really like to find out what the problem is.

It was better yesterday than before the repair..ie no gear slipping, just the jump out of gear but still limp mode..
All pointers to the repair garage gratefully received where it is being returned to on Monday!

I am wondering if there is a fault with the Engine management system (if it has one) and that maybe it is giving the gearbox false info causing it to go into limp mode?

Could it be a throttle problem..i.e. the throttle doesnt work smoothly thereby causing the gearbox a problem?

All help and advice from you worldwide experts would be gratefully received!