New 722.6 tranny in W202 C230

[blackmercedes]

Well, my 1998 C230 got it's new tansmission, torque converter and ETC.

The car drives BETTER than when new. The downshifts are much better, and under light loads the upshifters are even smoother. The full-load 1-2 shift is much better, and the 3-2 "neck-snap" is completely gone.

Not sure what the update are inside the case, but obviously the combination of updated trans and software/electronics is for the good.

The dealer talked of repairing the unit and updating the ETC, but decided to replace the entire set of hardware due to my tranny being a fairly early build 722.6. Mercedes agreed, and the entire bill was covered under the Signature Class Mercedes warranty.

The symptoms I had included a "slip" at take off from a standing start and a harsh 3-2 downshift.

Hopefully fixed for many years to come...

[manny]

Any idea what the bill WOULD have been ?

[blackmercedes]

About $8000 parts and labour.

[manny]

Man, all these zeros make me dizzy.

[ericnguyen]

manny: moi aussi :-(

Eric

[Benz288]

Glad it worked out for you John! Starting to worry about mine...

[blackmercedes]

Are you having any typical symptoms? Some of them are:

1. Sometimes harsh and reluctant 1-2 shift.

2. Sometimes harsh 3-2 shift.

3. Slip or hesitation in first gear from a standing start.

4. Going into "limp home" mode seemingly at random.

1 & 2 can be resolved (usually) with the updated ETC. #3 is usually solved with a new pressure control spring. #4 often means the "sensor plate" (whatever the heck that is) is bad.

I've talked to a few early build 722.6 owners that had some updates done (ETC, valve body and sensor plate) and the tranny is doing very well. The most disconcerting problem is the slipping as the car really feels poorly when pulling away. The 3-2 downshift problem is annoying.

Some owners experienced problems very early on, and the tranny was replaced, but problems persisted.

Don't get on MB too badly. For some strange reason, lots of makers are having problems with five speed auto-boxes. Toyota (Lexus) and Honda (Acura) have buckets of faulty five speed slushies that have problems. BMW has five speed box problems too. Same for Air Mass Meters. Funny that everyone is having pretty much the same problems...

[Benz288]

Thanks for outlining the symptoms John! Luckily, I haven't experienced any...touching wood!

The only trouble I had with the tranny was the parking lock mechanism seal causing precious MB AT fluid to leak. It was replaced under warranty last year - got a free AT fluid replacement as well @ 75,000 KM.

The car is a late year model - manufactured in September of 1998. I'm hoping it had already received the 722.6 updates at that time.

Regards

[Abdul Rahim]

My E230 96model equiped with 722.4 (4 speed tranny), no problems so far. May be its better for me to stick with 4 speed tranny. Although not sophisticated but less prone to failure. Any comments welcome. Thanks

[blackmercedes]

Originally posted by Abdul Rahim
My E230 96model equiped with 722.4 (4 speed tranny), no problems so far. May be its better for me to stick with 4 speed tranny. Although not sophisticated but less prone to failure. Any comments welcome. Thanks

The problematic 722.6's are for just a couple model years and certainly don't effect all cars. Many of the problems are easily solved, and once sorted out, even the early build trannies can be long lived terrific units.

The 722.6 in "fixed up" form is proving to be very durable and long lived. There are many high mileage examples that are in perfect shape. When shopping for a 97 or 98 model I would look for a car that has some tranny updates.

[d2bernhard]

I understand the MB 5 speed auto is the largest production tranny of all time (it is in many Chryslers as well).

[lizem100]

Is the 722.6 in the C220? If so what year? no 96 but 97?

[Ethan]

see your doing research for a 202.

a little introduction to the 722.XXX transmissions for the 202.

When these models first entered the US for the 1994 model year they used a four speed automatic with the traditonal fill tube for the transmission sump.

Sometime in 1997 I think as a 1998 model year ( I have a 1998 C-230 ) the car was upgraded to a five speed automatic - 722.6 with a transmission dip stick tube that had a plastic non-renewable tab on the end. This new 5-speed has what MB calls a fill for life transmission fluid.

This fill for life fluid has become an issue.
many owners contrary to Mercedes literature do change the fluid at ( for instance ) 50K mile intervals. When the fluid is changed many people note that the transmission fluid looks very black and that fill for life leaves a big question at what Mercedes feels the time interval for life is.

Additionally Mercedes has upgraded the transmission as it was delivered in my 1998 c-class ( not sure if the upgrade took effect in mid 1999 ). I think the ECU and a magnet for the pan were some of items upgraded.

You can go to www.mbusa.com then click on any of the new car models then under the FEATURES tab click on 16 YEAR MODEL OVERVIEW to see the changes in the C-class

if you do a post on how to examine a C-class for purchase I'll give you my opinion on how to test and what to expect with these cars

[Rick Miley]

The updates continued through the years. Even my May/1999 E300 had trouble early on. The ECU was replaced in the first year. And the transmission was rebuilt by the dealer at about 4 years and 75K miles.

[lizem100]

Ethan- the mbusa site is good though not correct all the time eg. If try to find 88 E class it calls it a 3.2 liter engine even though the 88 was a 300E not E 320.
It looks like the 5 speed is not in years 96 and 97-good. Why is there a C220 and C 230 when the hp ratings are so similar?