Transmission warranty - advice sought - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mal · #1 02-18-2008, 11:58 AM

I sent my transmission to a mb transmission specialist. I paid twice what many shops charge for a trans rebuild but slightly less than the dealer. With it I received a two year warranty.

Transmission is removed by a local shop, put on a pallet and shipped off to the mb trans specialist. I pay the shop for this removal.

I get it back its reinstalled. Within a month it begins to slip. I call they say sure send it in.

Question: the local shop of course wants to charge me to take it out and reinstall.

Should I pay for the removal of the trans or should I tell MB specialist shop you should pay b/c your rebuild didnt hold?

ILUVMILS · #2 02-18-2008, 12:09 PM

Before you do anything, you need to find out what's wrong with the transmission. Just because it's slipping doesn't mean it needs to be removed!!!

Mal · #3 02-18-2008, 01:07 PM

Ok Im not sure I follow. You think it might be the installation? I thought a slipping trans meant the trans was defective. What else could it be? How do you determine this without removal?

I mean I called the mb specialist and said it was slipping and his response was ":sigh: ok send it in...." Made no mention of any other possibility.

The shop which installed it was a regular transmission shop.

C32AMG · #4 02-18-2008, 08:14 PM

[QUOTE=Mal;1767302]Ok Im not sure I follow. You think it might be the installation? I thought a slipping trans meant the trans was defective. What else could it be? How do you determine this without removal?

I mean I called the mb specialist and said it was slipping and his response was ":sigh: ok send it in...." Made no mention of any other possibility.

The shop which installed it was a regular transmission shop.[/Q

Just because the transmission “Slips” does not mean it’s always an internal problem, could be low on fluid, valve body, B2 or B1 piston and more. Why would they, MB transmission specialist, what it back. Why can’t they try to diagnose the “slip” with the transmission in the car. MB transmission specialist, their NOT.

Mal · #5 02-18-2008, 08:32 PM

[QUOTE=C32AMG;1767606]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

Ok Im not sure I follow. You think it might be the installation? I thought a slipping trans meant the trans was defective. What else could it be? How do you determine this without removal?

I mean I called the mb specialist and said it was slipping and his response was ":sigh: ok send it in...." Made no mention of any other possibility.

The shop which installed it was a regular transmission shop.[/Q

Just because the transmission “Slips” does not mean it’s always an internal problem, could be low on fluid, valve body, B2 or B1 piston and more. Why would they, MB transmission specialist, what it back. Why can’t they try to diagnose the “slip” with the transmission in the car. MB transmission specialist, their NOT.

C32 I dont think your reading all the posts. The local shop is not a specialist and I dont want them to do anything except remove the transmission and send it to the specialist.

The specialist is four states away. So they cant drive it. Given the fact that the transmission was just rebuilt and re-installed and then in less than a month the trans begins to slip, doesnt that make it very likely that its the trans?
Its not fluid level so is trans "valve body, b2 or b1 piston" covered under a rebuild warranty? I mean are those things considered part of the transmission?

C32AMG · #6 02-18-2008, 09:18 PM

[QUOTE=Mal;1767617]

Quote:

Originally Posted by C32AMG

C32 I dont think your reading all the posts. The local shop is not a specialist and I dont want them to do anything except remove the transmission and send it to the specialist.

The specialist is four states away. So they cant drive it. Given the fact that the transmission was just rebuilt and re-installed and then in less than a month the trans begins to slip, doesnt that make it very likely that its the trans?
Its not fluid level so is trans "valve body, b2 or b1 piston" covered under a rebuild warranty? I mean are those things considered part of the transmission?

Who diagnosed the “SLIP”, how is the rebuilding shop going to diagnose a transmission problem on a bench, unless they have a dyno. They can recommend a logical diagnostic procedure, which can be done by the shop which installed the transmission, to determine if the SLIP is a simple fix or internal, they should pay the diagnostic labor and or shipping.

fred1948 · #7 02-19-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

Before you do anything, you need to find out what's wrong with the transmission. Just because it's slipping doesn't mean it needs to be removed!!!

I agree. I would take it to a transmission shop that is familiar with MB transmissions and have them check it out. Does it slip in all gears or just one?? Are the shifts crisp or do they flair?
I am in the process of rebuilding my transmission (this is my first auto transmission rebuild so I am not an expert) and can tell you that unless a seal or o-ring was damaged during reassembly the problem is probably with the valve body or in the vacuum control system. Was a new torque converter installed with the transmission? If not then if there were metal particles in the fluid they are very difficult to flush from the torque converter. Also, was the transmission oil cooler flushed prior to installing the new transmission (I found a lot of particles in my oil cooler when I flushed it). If there was crud in the oil cooler and/or torque converter then this could very well have caused a problem in the valve body of the transmission.
If you send the transmission back and they find contamination in the fluid they they may not honor the warranty.

Mal · #8 02-19-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred1948

I agree. I would take it to a transmission shop that is familiar with MB transmissions and have them check it out. Does it slip in all gears or just one?? Are the shifts crisp or do they flair?
I am in the process of rebuilding my transmission (this is my first auto transmission rebuild so I am not an expert) and can tell you that unless a seal or o-ring was damaged during reassembly the problem is probably with the valve body or in the vacuum control system. Was a new torque converter installed with the transmission? If not then if there were metal particles in the fluid they are very difficult to flush from the torque converter. Also, was the transmission oil cooler flushed prior to installing the new transmission (I found a lot of particles in my oil cooler when I flushed it). If there was crud in the oil cooler and/or torque converter then this could very well have caused a problem in the valve body of the transmission.
If you send the transmission back and they find contamination in the fluid they they may not honor the warranty.

It was a total rebuild with a new or rebuilt torque converter. It only slips at low speed so generally first and maybe second. Never in reverse. When it went out reverse was gone completly. The trans was completely empty of fluid.

So an improper installation could cause problems?

Richard Wooldridge · #9 02-19-2008, 11:39 PM

I think that due to the fact you sent the transmission to an MB transmission specialist shop they most likely did, in fact rebuild it properly. The problem is most likely due to an improper adjustment when it was reinstalled. In fact, the transmission itself could still be just fine. I am not familiar with MB transmissions, but I know that the GM T700R4 transmission can be destroyed in short order if it is improperly adjusted! The internal pressures are dependent on the proper adjustment of the throttle to transmission linkage. I don't know if the MB transmission is the same type of animal, but if it is it must be adjusted by checking the pump's output pressure at various times. I think you have erred by not having an MB shop install and/or check the installation. If I were you I would take it to a good MB dealer or independent, explain your predicament, and have them double-check the adjustments. You might end up with a good transmission after all. If not, you can fall back on the warranty. In any event, you are going to have to spend more money to do the job. Here in my area we have several very good transmission shops that will give a diagnosis for very little or even no cost. Don't decide out of hand that a shop is no good because they don't specialize in MB transmissions - all automatics are very similar in design and construction.

Mal · #10 02-20-2008, 12:39 AM

the actual story is long and sordid. But the details are the same after the rebuild.

I totally suspected the shop that put it in. I hold the mb trans shop in high regard. I would guess the local transmission shop who installed it might have erred.

So Ill go to a reputable place. Theres a euro shop here in San Antonio. I forget the name. Its on basse rd. dangit I cant find it. was gona ask about it.

POS · #11 02-18-2008, 01:10 PM

I wouldn't pay for a thing; I'd fight first.

Mal · #12 02-18-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

I wouldn't pay for a thing; I'd fight first.

Well its more about demanding them to pay. Im wondering if its appropriate to tell them to pay.

Let me clarify.

Trans rebuilt and its in my car.

Transmission is now slipping after recent rebuild.

I have to pay local shop X $500 to take it out and put on pallettes to send to out of state MB Trans shop. I have warranty with MB trans shop. I have no warranty with local shop X.

So should I tell out of state MB trans shop "hey you guys have to pay local shop X to take out trans from my car to ship to you"

Peter Guenther · #13 02-18-2008, 04:42 PM

I am sorry for you, MB does not rebuild transmissions any more, they sell MB rebuilts to the dealer network. Had you gone that way, the dealer would have to eat the R&R, but the warranty on many items no longer covers the shipping and R&R. What does your warranty say?
http://4mercedes.com/index.htm

Mal · #14 02-18-2008, 04:51 PM

Warranty is not written except for on their website which I printed. And it just says

.... ok looked again and under warranties they have this disclaimer:

"Company shall not be responsible for exemplarily, punitive or consequential damages or laber charges."

so that answers my question I guess. I mean it seems like it would be in good business to pay for the costs associated with your mistake/bad rebuild... I havent asked. I wanted to get a position before I did.