kevink2

What was the last year the 722.9 was made with no TC drain plug, regardless of model ?

Is it possible they were around, on shelves, w/o TC drains in 2008 & 2009 ?

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illlojik

Who's your mechanic if you don't mind me asking. I'm also on Long Island and would like to have this service done right. You can PM me

Glyn M Ruck

Supposed to be 2005/2006 with 722.9. Some diesel models with 722.6 continued without TC drain after that & into 204 production. The fact that we have found 2 W204's without would suggest that there will be more.

Ben'sBenz

Glyn, i'd be happy to provide my VIN if you are interested. My car was manufactured in SA. I'm not sure if the parts are sourced from different places depending on SA or Germany.

kevink2

The 722.6 was the 5 spd atx ? did it share the same TC as the 722.9, but w/o TC drain?

What comes to mind is that at the factory, the TC is is installed to the "flex plate" before the trans input shaft is slid into the installed TC. This new W204 was selling well for a new model, and I can imagine a MB factory supervisor, in one of the countries, that ran short on the TC with drain and, unofficially took the power to install an identical TC but w/o drain plug, off the shelves.

Glyn, mabe you or someone you recommend, could take the vins from the two guys that have no drain plug, and see if there is anything in common.

Also, is it possible to get a part # off the installed TC, looking in the port? Would that be helpful in any way?

Kevin

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Glyn M Ruck

There is a long string of TC part numbers from early 722.6 to later 722.9 ranging from.

A 210 (W model designation) 250 04 02
to prior to 722.9 Plus A 221 250 16 02

They are interchangeable but all have minor tweaks.

The 722.6 is the 5 speed & had the drain removed from it's TC in 1999 & put back for recent production + new spares have drain.

I unfortunately have no access to the live MB VIN system. I spoke to my service manager originally who is a Benz employee & he said to me that he had never seen a W204 in SA without a TC drain.

I don't know where the P/N is on the TC housing.

kevink2

Final notes at our Delaware dealer on 5 quart "standard" trans drain:

> The SA told each of us separatly (after work was done) that the TC may or may not have a drain plug. But in this case, no drain plug. But he, being an ex-tech, told me he would not be surprised if a tech never checked for a TC drain plug.

> Long time parts guy, who supplies the tech's with parts, checked TC's for the W204 and ALL had drain plugs with separate # for the plug. His experience was that that shop NEVER changed the TC oil. He also noted that no tech ever asked him for a new TC drain plug, or sealing washer.


My conclusion is that this dealer's service dept, has decided long ago not to drain the TC, which about equals the trans in oil capacity. From other posts, sounds like other dealers have the same, poor practice.

My suggestion for those that are due for a trans oil change, would be to check the 2 WIS proceedures with illustrations, trans drain and TC drain, bring copies to the MB shop, and then witness the search for the drain plug, per step 6.


Links from Glyn:

W204-722.9-automatic_transmission_-_oil_and_filter_change.pdf

W204-drain-transmission's-torque-converter

kevins_garage

Just wanted to provide an update. At first, it does appear to be a bit complicated, but having done it, I have to say that I did not think it was difficult at all. I actually thought it was easier than most of the same jobs I've done on GM transmissions over the years.

The only tools I bought specifically for this job were an Assenmacher refilling tool that was $150 (adapter and pump) and a $30 non-contact temp gauge from Harbor Freight. Fluid cost ~$50 and filter, gasket, pan bolts, TC bolt, and drain plug washer were also ~$50. You could probably do without the refilling tool. It's way overpriced for what it it is, but I didn't want to mess around with trying to cobble something together. Even buying the tools though, I still saved over $120 vs. the cheapest quote I got to have it done. I could probably sell the refilling tool and recoup some of that money, but I will keep it to use again.

I took me about 4 hours start to finish, but I wasn't rushing and I took a 45 minute dinner break in the middle. I think it could be done in ~2 hours pretty easily.

My car was a 2006 C230 (W203) with 66K miles and this was the first trans fluid change. I got ~3.5 quarts out of the pan and ~4 quarts out of the TC. I put about 8.5 in to start and about a quart came out before I put the plug back in and buttoned it up. So, ~7.5 quarts out and ~7.5 quarts back in for me.

Sorry for the minor thread drift.

kevink2

Was it hard to see the drain plug? any Pic's of the TC with drain plug"

Thanks

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kevins_garage

I didn't really take any pics but it was pretty much like the pics/drawings in the docs posted elsewhere on this site.

The TC drain plug is tiny. If you buy it, you will see just how small it is. I had my 12 yo lay under the car while I turned the crank pulley by hand very slowly and he spotted it pretty easily.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes it is tiny so as not to create balancing problems.

Glyn M Ruck

5mm Hex if I remember correctly. Some of the latest I see are somewhat countersunk but I have no pic.

Klinh

I has mine 2009 Slk55 tranny service done 3 months ago and mine 2009 C350 tranny service done just last week. Thanks to these thread, I went and checked both cars services paper works and it showed only 6 qts. of tranny fuild filled. I called the Mercedes dealer and they said Bla...bla that it does not required to drain the torqued convertor on both cars. Today i called North America Mercedes Customer Services department and they said they will get back to me within 24 hrs. after they investigate about the services. Thank you again for the infos.

dadangman

Thanks a lot man!! it's kinda scary b/c i've never touch anyhting that deal with transmission b4... haha and i would rather have the dealership do this for me.. but from reading on this post and others.. The dealership basically charging 300 bucks to change the oil in the pan.. then that's not worth it.. mine is around 43k so i will have to change it soon! ..

Klinh

Glyn M Ruck,

I got a called to today from North America today wanted to hear my complains. They said that they will verify my VIN# with "EPC" to see which transmission does it has before they can tell me if the transmission services were done right. Is there a way you can verify my car for me with my VIN#? Here's the VIN# WDBWK73F89F205393. Thanks.

Glyn M Ruck

As I said above ~ "I unfortunately have no access to the live MB VIN system."

Sorry!

kevink2

Is that a TC drain plug? I don't recall all the ribbing/gusseting..

In other words, a 12 year old can spot it easily.

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Glyn M Ruck

Kevin - That is the plug on a 722.6 - same plug as on a 722.9. Might be casting differences on the bell housing on your car where the access plugs fit.

Here is a rebuilt 722.9 converter. Sorry ~ could not find a pic of a new one. Some converters have small radial bumps just above the seam ~ some don't ~ see plug.





I will do my best to take some 722.9 pics at the dealer. My car only has 15K on it so won't be under that for a while.

Magic9669

Good news all. I'm typing this from the dealership. Just had my car put up on a lift, printouts in hand and the service manager tried telling me that the pictures are of a different trans. They start cranking it, and about 1/4 to 1/3 around, boom...there it was. They are going to drain everything and refill it again

I'm curious if I should go ask to see it draining. I think I might. I have a pic which I'll upload later on.

Thanks to all for the help. I really appreciate it.

RLE

It's a pleasure to rub their nose in it, isn't it?

Glyn M Ruck

Excellent news. Please post your pic.

tasho3

Went in today to schedule my service for tomorrow! Talked to advisor and of course he said they won't do TQ flush cause they have to take out the trans for that! Another thing he said they will flush out the trans and add in 9 quarts? Isn't it 5 for the trans? My appointment is tmr morning, do I show him this thread and let him know that the TQ has a plug?

kevink2

Here's your answer:

https://mbworld.org/forums/5320823-post107.html

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tasho3

Thank you so much

Another thing; he said service B is $550 but they have a special for $485, does this sound right? I remember when I took in our C63 couple years ago for service B they charged me the same price?

tasho3

Jesus Christ I called 4 MB dealers around me and they all told me a different story! One told me that the trans flush is not included in Service B. Trans flush is separate for $395 and TC is also separate at $225. Another Dealer told me what I need to do is front and rear diff service done and trans only no TC! WTF!!!!