I'd love to hear more about the 4matic issues of the early '90s...

1) I have read alot of postings in here that relate tales of the 'inevitability' of failure of the transfer case, due to some kind of leakage...is this leakage gasket failure or what? If only a gasket/seal failure, why is it automatically a full replacement job?
I guess I'm asking if anyone has gotten 'lucky' and had the TC resealed to fix the leaking and been able to carry on with the original inner parts intact.

2) does the system have a self-shutdown feature? If the all important case fluid leaks out, the car should disengage the 4mat by itself...this is the sense I have with mine right now, that it went to 'test' mode, to prevent internal damage in the Transfer Case...(my car's 4matic warning is now permanently on, and yesterdays 'seizures' are mysteriously gone) What do I know...

2) does anyone know if MB took any remediative measures/callbacks, other than the standard vehicle warranty? Seems if the system was inherently doomed to fail they might have quietly taken some steps to address...

Thx all, Chris

Thanks for that reply to the good Dr.

Can I get your opinion on the risks of driving the car in this condition...I cant handle a big repair bill right now...

Also, can the fluid be checked..I think it might have been seeping out to the outside of the case...maybe it's just low, not completely kaput.

Thx

MB used the 4-matic system for about 8 years, however the US only had it on the 300E's for 4 model years.
The problem with the transfer case is fluid leaking from a clutch pack into the mechanical part of the case. THAT can be repaired just like an automatic transmission. MOST shops don't have the ability OR info OR tools to try that repair! IF the light is on the system is inop!
The 4-matic computer has MEMORY & the codes need to be read to find the problem.

The NEW 4-matic systems are electronic instead of mechanical & that seems to work much better.

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