Odd auto-downshifting problem '90 300E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Andy_M · #1 06-10-2008, 11:46 AM

My 300E developed an odd issue with the trans a short while ago.

While driving down the highway on a trip of an hour or more, usually when you were on a downgrade, it would for no apparent reason, shift down into third. Once downshifted, it would not return to 4th no matter what you do until you pull over and stop - then once you continued on the trans shifted up through the gears normally and would not repeat the problem.

It did this very infrequently for a few weeks - always to my wife. Then it became more frequent, and was happening during even 1/2 hour trips. Same symptoms, same corrective action.

Last week it did it while I was in the car as well - only worse. This time it downshifted into 3rd on level road, stayed there for maybe a min, then either disengaged (like activating a trans brake) or shifted into neutral. We pulled over to the side, stopped, and started out again and it shifted up normally, but not into overdrive. We took the car home, let it cool completely, then drove it to a transmission shop owned by a friend of ours.

He pulled the trans, and found that the clutch packs are badly worn and breaking apart, that a rubber component that I can't recall the name of is worn out and breaking down, and are rebuilding the trans. This will only cost me parts and the trans did have 135k miles on it, so its fine, but the trans shifted fine before this started and I'm not sure I'm hearing that anyone actually identified the reason for the shift down problem. Perhaps the clutch pack breakdown was causing blockages that were reducing fluid pressure causing the issue? I would have suspected a crack in the valave body or something.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? What was the fix in your case? Any comments from any MB trans gurus out there?

lkchris · #2 06-10-2008, 12:13 PM

Possibly too-tight or fouled kickdown cable.

Mechanic really should have checked for this first and told you so.

The rubber thing is called flex disc (guibo in BMW-speak).

Andy_M · #3 06-10-2008, 01:13 PM

The cable was checked for proper adjustment and binding. All was OK. Sorry I didn't mention that.

My impression was that the rubber component he was referring to was in the transmission, but yes, Guibo is the term he used. I know what a flex disk is, but was not familiar with the BMW term Guibo.

Andy_M · #4 06-12-2008, 11:51 AM

OK, so here's the resolution anyway. Our friend pulled and completely inspected the trans. He could find nothing obvious like a cracked valve body. He did find that the seals for the torque converter nose were bad. He also said that once inside he did see that the disks and clutches were quite worn even though the car gave absolutely no indication of that when you drove it, so he did a complete rebuild on the trans.

The trans operates like a gem now. S-M-O-O-T-H as can be. Nice soft, yet crisp, shifts. Quiet. It is also very obvious that the car is transferring more power and torque to the rear wheels now. All previous problems are gone.

The funny thing here, is that neiter I nor the trans shop guys would have thought that this trans needed rebuilding based on driving it. Other than the downshifting isssue and a slight hot oil smell, both of which only started recently, the trans performed what seemed to be flawlessly. I can now tell that much of the HP and torque was being lost in the trans, but I never got that impression before now - it seemed fine.

These transmissions must be freakin' rocks! For that thing to be in need of rebuild and still feel that solid - I'm astonished. The PO must have neglected this one like he did the rest of the mechanicals. He kept the body and interior top notch, but he was less than dedicated to the mechanicals.

Anyway, hope this helps someone else out.......

masoma741 · #5 06-12-2008, 02:21 PM

may I ask about the approximate cost of the transmission rebuilt?

Andy_M · #6 06-16-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masoma741

may I ask about the approximate cost of the transmission rebuilt?

I will only be charged for parts @ cost. The guy who owns the shop is a very good friend of the family. They are a top shelf trans shop though, and I would highly reccommend them to anyone. People in the know ship him transmissions from all over the world. I had an '86 Jaguar XJ6. Those transmissions are notoriously weak and usually require a rebuild every few years. He rebuilt mine for me in 2000, and I never had to do anything with it again, other than change the filter and fluid. I kept it for 6 years after that.

The MB trans runs smooth as silk now. Outstanding job once again.

Their web site is here:
http://www.levelten.com/about.htm