Elwood3142

Thanks for letting me know this, I wander how many other CLK owners have had this problem out of warranty without realising what it was and havepaid in full for it.

I'm trying to get as much information on this prior to formally writing to MB, so if anyone else out there has experienced this, or knows of someone who has, please get in touch it would be nice to hear from you.

Gary

 

Hello all,

I am new to these forums and came across it after searching the internet as I have been having the same problem: glycol contamination in the transmission on my 2003 C230 coupe. Please read about my ordeal at http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=191913

This is a problem that is not limited to the clk, but happens to the C32 AMG, C320, C240, and probably others. The cause is a defective radiator made by Valeo, and MB has known about it. The original service bulletin is P-B-27.55/50a which went into effect Feb 2005. You can read the details here: http://mbworld.org/forums/showpost.p...mp;postcount=3

N.B that according to the bulletin, if glycol contamination is found in excess of 400 mg/liter, this calls for replacement of radiator, torque converter, AND the transmission. The symptoms i have been hgaving on my car are rough 1-2 and 2-1 shifts with audible clunking sound...someimtes a subtle grinding sensation when shifting gears. Well, i took the car into the dealer (still under warranty for about a month), and they did the glycol test and found glycol in excess of 400 ppm. I thought for sure i woudl get a new transmission. Well, they only replaced the radiator and torque converter! Why? because mercedes recently updated the bulletin march 24 2007 with P-B-27.55/50f. According to this bulletin, if glycol contamination is 100 mg/liter or more, then the radiaotr and torque converter must be replaced. This "update" no longer calls for replacement of the tranmssion. Reading your experiences aand seeing how glycol exposure eventually leads to transmission failure, I find it unacceptbale that MB has decided to no longer replace the tranmission. it is as if they are ignoring a major issue.

 

REX0000

Thanks for the info, it's amazing that MB's Customer 'Don't' Care Dept. have never heard of this problem, apparantly.

One very long nice letter coming up.

Gary

 

Very interesting REX0000 - Ive still not got my car back! Its had a new gearbox (one part missing on back order with MB - Tuesday should be finished - I hope!) torque convertor & radiator.

Gaz, I checked about the warranty on the new parts & I get 12 months not two years as although the parts are genuine they are being fitted by an independant MB specialist.

What an absolute ballache though as I only had the car for one week & now ive been without it for nearly 2!!! Gutted!

 

I have been a victim of this problem, and I have actually been looking for a new jersey resident who has had this happen in order to bring a class action against mb for this. Unfortuantely, I can't bring a class action and be the lead class member. The screwwed up thing about this is that, mb knows about this problem butthey refuse to recall all the cars with this valeo radiator. I would have been happy if I was notified that this was a potential problem, and I would have spent the 300 bucks myself to replace the radiator. Unfortuantely, I am out of pocket thousands. You can see all the models affected in my post here:

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=184742

Feel free toPM or email me at MMendelsohn@gmail.com if you want to discuss this.

 

Mendy 9677

Very interesting to know thatthis isnotjust going onhere in the UK, good luck in your search for a New Jersey resident withthis problem and keep us informed of any outcomes.

John

Sorryto hear about the delayon your repairs, I'm sureit will beworth the wait.

Anyway I've now written a nice calm letter to MB and will let you all know the outcome of my request of a full refund of the £2316.01 I've had to pay.

 

Well, is it fixed permanently, or is it going to do it again in three years?

Blue

 

Blue

According to the Dealer'with the new radiators, not a Valeo apparently,this has solved the problem, so it shouldn't happen again'.

At least they have conceded it was a problem.

Gary

 

Hi Gaz,

Just got my car back this afternoon & its running perfect! The noise has gone, the acceleration is smooth & it feels like a merc should.

Heres a picture if anyones interested... http://www.targetlists.co.uk/clk2

Best of luck getting your money back btw - keep me posted!

Cheers

JC

 

Nice One

Gaz