Well my problems have gotten worse. My 94 e420 transmission must be going out. Tonight I was pulling away from a stop and the engine just raced for several seconds then slowly began to move. I checked the fluicd earlier today and the level was at the lower high temperature mark after car had been driven for several miles.

I don't know what else to do find a tranny shop to rebuild it.

I'm thinking of buying a remanufactured and install myself. Am I crazy??

Where is the cheapest place to get it overhauled in Arizona??



Will a 98 e-320 tranny work? I have a line on a low mileage one at a good price.

Give us more details, please.

How many miles on the transmission?

When was the last fluid/filter change, and anything abnormal (e.g., excess friction material) seen at that time?

Any other odd behavior in the transmission? How long does it take to engage Reverse and Drive?

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Steve
'93 400E

The car has about 106000 miles on it. The transmission has been acting strange for the last few months. Late upshifts at times, delayed downshifts at times. Lately, upon fast takeoff from a stop it would go a few feet then flare out of gear and slam back into first. I thought it was low on fluid but it was at the lower mark of the higher temp marks, not excessively low. I had the 90000 mile service done on time that was supposed to include tranny service. The fluid is honey colored right now. My wife drives this car most of the time and it is not driven hard.

chapayne

The transmission fluid is honey colored?

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Try this...Change the transmission
1. filter
2. fluid - make sure you check the fluid correctly, enging semi-warm, running, on level ground.

This should work. If it doesn't then check for other possible problems ie. modulator, etc.

If you can't find anything, then you may have to bite the bullet and get yours rebuilt or replaced.

I did all of the above and it bought me some time, but eventually the transmissin had to be rebuilt. I paid $1800 to get mine rebuilt with OEM parts. This price included removal and replacement.

You could go to the stealers to get a rebuilt one, but they'll want your old one and a $3000 deposit (Don't quote me on this amount, I can't remember the exact amount). But be careful becaue if the stealers determine that your old tranny can't be rebuilt to their specs, kiss your deposit good bye.

I had mine rebuilt because the mechanic I go to only uses OEM parts. Please don't go cheap on your transmission and use aftermarket parts, especially on the transmission....that's only asking for more problems in the NEAR future.

Fixing the transmission cost a lot of money, but I consider it a better deal than having a payment every month. My car is an 86 and everyone thinks it's a 95.

Good luck.

jrmd01@yahoo.com

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

With that mileage, and good service, and not being beat on a daily basis, the overwhelming odds are that your transmission is not toast. As above, have fluid and filter replaced and see what happens. RE: checking the level, the absolutely most accurate way is to make sure the trans. fluid is hot (not the same as having the engine coolant hot). This usually entails driving at least 15 miles. The dipstick will be HOT to the touch if the trans fluid is at normal operating temp.

On the other hand, if the worst happens and you really do need a new tranmsission, an independent MB mechanic can put in a factory rebuilt for a lot less than the dealership, and you can be assured that it will have all the updates, and will come with a really nice warranty.

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Steve
'93 400E

I know it shouldn't be out at this mileage, but it sure seems to be. It has been having symtoms for several months, but I was sure it couldn't be going out already. However, last nite kind of convinced me. What it really acts like is that it can't pump up fluid from the pan. Especially when I would take off from a stop ok for a few feet then flare as if in neutral. I checked the level just yesterday and then last nite when it refused to start from a stop light. Could the filter and pickup be plugged? If so where did I get enough gunk to plug it? I sure can't afford this right now!!!

It sounds like you are low on fluid or sucking air. I have seen problems with filters that aren't seated properly sucking air when the fluid is not even low.

Be sure you are checking the fluid properly. Look at both sides of the stick and use the lower ONE.

Of course even if its low on fluid driving it for a period this way will eventually ruin the trans. Honey colored fluid???

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

When I changed the filter, it cost me something like $20. (Can't rember the exact amount)

If you're really tight on cash, you may be able to reuse your transmission fluid (assuming it's not contaminated with debris) and pan gasket (assuming it's not cracked).

Change the filter yourself, it's a 30 min job max.
1. Drain the old transmission oil (5 min)
2. Remove the transmissin pan (5 min)
3. Remove the transmission filter (5 min)
4. Replace the transmission filter (5 min)
5. Replace the transmission pan (5 min)
6. Replace the transmission oil (5 min)

You need a 10mm & 14mm (I think) socket wrench and a phillip screwdriver.

Easy and quick job...my sister could do this....then again my sister is a certified MB mechanic. hehehe. just kidding. My point is: change the filter, it's cheap and easy to do. Don't waste your time with the gunk remover...that's just a temporary fix.

Good luck.

jrmd01@yahoo.com

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

No, I don't mind doing a fluid change if I thought that it would help. I had an independent shop check the level and then I checked it too. I'm quite certain that the level is not the problem.

What concerns me is an overhaul right now. I think I will look for a used tranny. If I can get it going again I think I will trade it off.

I just went out and tried it this morning. It drives again like before last night, tho it did flare in first right after takeoff. It shifts a little hard in the 1-2 shift but the shifts are firm. I just don't want to spend a wad of cash to rebuild if it doesn't really need it. I just don't trust anyone for diagnosis. It seems every time I have had tranny trouble and gone to a shop it is always the same answer. "Must have a complete rebuild". I guess I will try a tranny fluid/ filter change and cross my fingers. Dexron III fluid, right??? 722.3 tranny

The tranny in our 260E totaly gave up the ghost without warning one day. $100 servo inside the tranny. Unfortunaly it required total dissassebly to repair so we had it rebuilt by a local shop that specialisse in MB trannies.

Took about 1 week, done with OEM parts and cost us about $2200 drive in, drive out. It was tought to spend at the time but other than the radiator inlet failure at around 90,000 miles it was the only problem we had with the car.

It's not cheap but I think a rebuild is a great way to go. Lots less fuss. I've done *many* tranny swaps in a lots of vehicles. I'd never do it myself on a primary transport car ever again (way to big a hassle). If it was an occastional driver, I might take my time and do it. YMMV.

Good luck and I hope it's something simple. I guess MB trannies are a crap-shoot. They either last forever (my 300E has 190k on the clock) or they take a major vacation earlier in their careers..

Take a deep breath, get fluid and filter changed (make sure you or the shop drains the torque converter, too). If you don't know of a good, honest, independent MB shop (and there MUST be 10 or 20 in Phoenix), call the president of your local MB Club of America chapter and ask him or her for recommended shops.

This may very well be fixable for a reasonable price.

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Steve
'93 400E

96 and up E320s have the electronic 5-speed tranny. Even a W124 E320 tranny will not work - MB made a different one specifically for the 400E/E420 to take the added power and torque.

I hope your drain & fill / filter change works to fix your problem. Does any one know about tranny flushing? It seems this might help to dislodge more gunk - I'm not sure if this is a myth.

Regards,
Troy
1995 E420 75k