I'm a bit curious what is the procedure to do that and why do I need to do the rebuilt? The dealer is doing that now after transmission slipping problem.
I'm still waiting to get this done on my SLK. They've just got the parts in and I still have to drive a C-class (not that bad though [:)]).
Luckily, Starmark will pay for everything.
REbuilt transmission is where they usually replace all items that wear within the mechanism....the pumps, springs, clutches, maybe some gears, etc. with new or remachined parts. They throw in a set of seals and gaskets. In short, you get a new transmission or one that is within new specs in the old case. Sometimes they guarantee their product or if it is a dealer, the balance of the car's factory warranty covers the rebuilt part also. If you had a bad design tranny from the factory engineering, then the rebuild should be the same.....but in some cases, "hot rod" engineering can make a sub-standard design perform really well. It usually all boils down to the guy doing the work....but then again that is true of a brand new auto. Our Mercs aren't put together by little old elves in the Black Forrest you know, but real flesh and blood people.
Hope you have an excellent repair.
Be well
Regards
Vehicle: 2002 SLK 32 AMG, bone stock. 1987 190E 2.3-16 Valve, NOT bone stock...
Location: Near Washington, DC
Posts: 8,371
Don't get too worried, take oil samples every 10,000 miles....
[:D][:D][:D][:D]
Seriously though, if you are concerned that you might have a problem, buy two or three kits and send the samples in at 10,000 mile intervals. Consider the less then $60.00 cheap insurance. It beats worrying about it, and can help in small claims court if the tranny fails soon after the repair.[;)]
Ask about the warranty on the rebuilt tranny so you know what is covered and for how long. I'm guessing that it will extend beyond your Starmark warranty but you need to make sure.
Max is right, the ultimate quality rebuild does depend on who is doing it. I don't think the tranny is a bad design to start with but something made your tranny fail. Ask the tech why your tranny failed [did they find the smoking gun?] and what is being replaced in the rebuild. Chances are that your tranny will be as good as new and will have the life of a new tranny. Make sure if you notice any issues after you get your car back to get it looked at.
Now, you could also do what Bruce is recommending. What Bruce is leaving out is that you will have to open what is essentially a sealed system and you will be replacing the fluid. Let's not forget either your time to do that or the cost of having someone do it for you. If you want to test, Linh posted a nice how to with pictures if you want to pursue sampling. In deciding whether you should do this or not, consider the length and coverage of the warranty, you expectation of the life of the tranny (nothing with moving parts last forever), and how long you intend to own this vehicle. You also have to remember that testing won't make a problem go away. Be conscience of how the tranny is working and noticing changes in how it works might be as effective as testing.
Bruce, why 10k and not 5k or 20k? Are you pulling this number out of the air or do you have some data and basis for the number? Obviously average monthly mileage, type of driving, etc would play in here. So, if you have basis, what parameters would move testing in and what would push testing out? And is it significant?
Quote:
Bruce R. - 7/8/2004 7:32 AM
[:D][:D][:D][:D]
Seriously though, if you are concerned that you might have a problem, buy two or three kits and send the samples in at 10,000 mile intervals. Consider the less then $60.00 cheap insurance. It beats worrying about it, and can help in small claims court if the tranny fails soon after the repair.[;)]
Vehicle: 2002 SLK 32 AMG, bone stock. 1987 190E 2.3-16 Valve, NOT bone stock...
Location: Near Washington, DC
Posts: 8,371
RE: Ask about the warranty
Quote:
What Bruce is leaving out is that you will have to open what is essentially a sealed system and you will be replacing the fluid. Let's not forget either your time to do that or the cost of having someone do it for you.
Actually Bruce has left nothing at all out. The "sealed" systems in the SLK's are not sealed, and have a dipstick tube that provides excellent access to the transmission fluid. The amount of fluid taken from the system with a small suction device as simple as a turkey baster with a flexible tube attached is minimal and will not affect the transmission in any way.
Good grief Sled Dog do you honestly believe you will have to replace a grand total of 6 ounces in an over 6 quart system? The time it takes is less then 5 minutes, and even someone with no skills what-so-ever should be able to handle it.
Quote:
Linh posted a nice how to with pictures if you want to pursue sampling.
Unfortunately Linh's photo essay was with a manual transmission, not an automatic, things might be a little different(just maybe?).
Quote:
Bruce, why 10k and not 5k or 20k? Are you pulling this number out of the air or do you have some data and basis for the number? Obviously average monthly mileage, type of driving, etc would play in here. So, if you have basis, what parameters would move testing in and what would push testing out? And is it significant?
I do in fact have a reason for picking 10,000 mile intervals, it is to correspond with the normal maintenance schedule of the car, and make it easier to remember. Since this would only be a monitoring action, I see no need for changing timing of the sampling. In addition I think that after 30,000 miles you would have a hard time convincing anyone that the person that rebuilt the tranny did anything wrong. Anything beyond that would be for information as to a possible second rebuild, or to sell the car before it needs another rebuild.
That having been said, maybe you can explain what your objection is to sampling and testing in order to protect the fairly substantial amount of money you have in your car?
Incidentally the initial comment was meant as a joke, with the comment after the smiley faces as an additional statement if tempoct had some serious concerns.
Are you getting a remanufactured transmission or is the ffacillity repairing yours? Big difference both in what is done and what, if any, extended time of warranty applies.
If the facility repairs your transmission-and you do not participate in the cost of repair--the warranty on the repair extends only until the overall warrant expeires. STARMARK is a warranty. The warranty of the repair-what ever the covered reapir is-expires when the STARMARK expires.
A remanufactured transmission, may (?) have up to a 3 year/36000 mile warranty indifferent to your participation in the cost of the repair.
You should get a definitve reading on this issue before the repair is accomplished to ensure that you know what the end product is as to warranty.
This is based on my experience as a DiamlerChrysler Service Manager-it may or may not be the same in a Benz Store-you do need to check it out and let the fourm know what you have in either case.
Actually Bruce has left nothing at all out. The "sealed" systems in the SLK's are not sealed, and have a dipstick tube that provides excellent access to the transmission fluid. The amount of fluid taken from the system with a small suction device as simple as a turkey baster with a flexible tube attached is minimal and will not affect the transmission in any way.
I thought that the dipstick tube only worked on older SLK's, pre '99s or so.
Vehicle: 2002 SLK 32 AMG, bone stock. 1987 190E 2.3-16 Valve, NOT bone stock...
Location: Near Washington, DC
Posts: 8,371
Isn't tempoct's car a '99 230K?
I believe the 230's, at least up until they made the head changes, have a dip stick.
The V6 SLK has the tube, but the cap is supposed to be only shop removable.
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