LILBENZ230

I have the 722.6 5AT, so I don't have any personal experience. The first transmission service on the 7G is at 37k, I believe - not sure how many times it is needed thereafter. IIRC, the fluid has to be put in via a pump from the bottom of the car and it's extremely sensitive. Even if a transmission shop "could", I would never allow them to touch it. Most of the time you should avoid dealers at all costs, but when it comes to servicing the 7G, I hear from owners that it's dealer-only.

W203E35

Could have not said it any better. This is why just take it to the dealer. The cheaper option will cost you triple in the long run.

LILBENZ230

So here's confirmation by a postwhor.. I mean, by a guy who owns a car with the 7G. If you're going to buy a car with this transmission make sure you take it into account that you'll have to use the dealer for this.

W203E35

hahaha

I am a post *****....I'm just a friendly guy that likes to give input.

But here's some crazy calculation I did.

Karo: Average posts a month = 196
LILBENZ: Average posts a month = 68



almost 3 times more...

LILBENZ230

At least you admit it. Hahaha.. you're an asset to the forum. Always there to help. Often, at any hour of the day or night.

Norwichdelta06

so if i find a C230 2007 with the 7G with 50K miles would that be a bad buy? if they recommended tranmision fluid change is at 35-37? The previous owner probably or probably didn't do it? How would i find out if the work was done?

XsuperbeeX

thats why there is such things as service history...

Norwichdelta06

well if i was buying the car not from a mercedes dealer. Would i be able to go to the MB with a vin and they could tell me the service record before i buy the car?

johnand

Sorry, but the 7G is not as "special" as the dealer's want you to think it is. The 7G was designed in a way to make it difficult for DIY fluid and filter changes so they could charge $400-500 per service. But, a COMPETENT AND skilled DIY'er can easily properly service the 7G and save themselves a LOT of money. With that said, yes the 7G, is not a typical Honda transmission and you need to pay attention to what you are doing, because it is much easier to screw up the 7G vs. a Honda transmission and MUCH more expensive to repair if you do screw it up.

I did have my 7G serviced at the dealer at ~36K on my car, but did help my buddy change the fluid in his 7G. You need the following tools: http://www.asttool.com/detail_page.p...&manf=Mercedes and a high quality infrared thermometer like: http://us.fluke.com/usen/Products/Fluke+62.htm The Assenmacher 722.9 adapter is $38 direct, and the Fluke 62 can be had for around ~$85. The Fluke has many other uses as well, so it is a good tool to have.

In a few months when my 7G transmission is due for another service I will do a FULL write-up on how to properly service it. Here is a quick rundown, but is NOT intended to be used a how-to guide. Either get the service manual, or wait until I do the write-up. The car must be level!!! 1st, the "drain plug" is also the fill plug. When you take out the drain plug, little to no fluid will come out. You have to use a drift punch to knock the standoff pipe into the pan. Then the fluid will start to drain. Then drop the pan, change the filter, install a new standpipe, and new gasket. Then rebolt the pan on with NEW OEM bolts. The bolts are aluminum and 1 time use. The transmission housing is magnesium. Again, YOU MUST REPLACE ALL THE PAN BOLTS. Then you thread the Assenmacher tool into the pan. Pump fluid into the transmission until it is overflowing. Unscrew the tool. Start the car, run the shifter through all the gear position. With the car running in Park, take the thermometer and read the temperature of the fluid that is now overflowing the standpipe, and out the transmission pan drain plug. Once that fluid is at 40C, stop the engine and immediately put the drain plug in. That is the proper level. As you can see this is different that the typical change, but not really difficult, you just absolutely have to do it correctly.

As far as how often to service the 7G? NA MB service interval in 38K miles, then no other services listed in the service guide. But in the rest of the world, as Glyn pointed out earlier in this thread, MB recommends 7G service ever 60K miles, which is ~37K miles. So, if you intend to keep your 7G running as long as possible, I would stick to that interval.

johnand

If it was serviced at a MB dealer, yes, they can pull up the service history.

johnand

If you can't verify the transmission was serviced, I would pass on it. There are plenty of properly documented maintained cars out there.

iblaho

At 39K, in Bay Area, I paid $195 for parts and $180 for labor. Included 7 qts oil @ $17.50/qt (capacity is 9 qts according to the manual), gasket, ring, fiter, screws - and brake cleaner. The SA made it sound as if the job were optional, as I think it is on a lot of cars. Oil is cheap. I wanted it done just once around the 30K mark. The six screws cost $1.44 apiece.

LILBENZ230

I was quoted $540 for a transmission service on my 722.6 from Atlanta Classic Cars. They're nuts!

Thanks John for clearing all that up. So much misinformation is passed around the real stuff gets lost sometimes! That said, it doesn't sound like something I'd trust just anyone to!

bigben320e

Try RBM. Better prices on most service, Buckhead Mercedes is insane on most prices for everything.

LILBENZ230

Well of course they are. It's Buckhead!

I'll try RBM.

holycaoAMG

I looked at this dated thread and it seems thats everyone is mentioning cost for a transmission fluid change for no more than $300 correct? My mechanic quoted $300 for a FULL flush. Is this reasonable or am i misunderstanding here?

Cause as i can see it, i get the full flush for the same price as fluid change

mleskovar

What's included in the 'flush'? Did you ask? Complete (9 qts.) fluid exchange? Replace filter? Exercise valves/gears? If so, that's a steal. I doubt it though.

holycaoAMG

It comes with ~10 qts of oem ATF from pan and torque converter, filter change, gasket change, all the plugs screws, clean out the pan and clean/inspect clutch plates; according to him. He is doing the job in front of me and showing me all the parts he's using in the process. [he works at MB dealer]
And after all that, he's going to test for glyco in the fluid taken out.

mleskovar

How's he removing the fluid from the torque converter?

holycaoAMG

I didnt ask him about that, but he did mention everything included in the full flush [above].
All i know is i got a steal!

I will get back to you on that after getting it done.

pawe

Best dealership in AZ imo.
Btw, do you know any good indy here in phx? Warranty is up so I probably wont get to visit Schumacher any time soon.

johnand

Probably the typical flush through the cooler lines.

Midnight Koop

anyone know transmission service cost for a manny?

viku_st

to johnand,
helpful info posted by you. thanks, but I'm wondering when your 7G is due for service? waiting for DIY,

JoeVal

Though Mechanics is a branch of Physics, in practice all new decisions and applications carry a content of art, usually called educated guess or marketing venture.

I consider that MB "C" engineers exercised an educated guess which failed, first by retiring the measuring stick and converter filler plug, and then advising a sealed service free "lifetime" transmission. Whereas this was done at grass roots or upper management level with ulterior marketing considerations is everybody's guess. Seeing results, mine says it was an adventure that in view of new actions and recommendations hit back hard. What now worries me is the "15-year 250,000 Km" refrigerant life...

So, I follow DIY practices to replace, every 39,000 Km, 722.9 transmission fluid and filter, and accomplish a thorough replacement by circulation though it means using 14 or 15 l of fluid to accomplish the 8.9 l flushing of dirty fluid. Of course, to achieve this I changed the pan for the new shape (8.5 to 8.9 l) with the longer hole chimney that permits the extra 400 cc and connection of the filling pump (nevertheless I use the Porsche filling method).

By the way, all of this has been previously documented and offered on this and other forums. Also the standard MB dealer method does not include pan removal and filter change!!!

Cheers, JV