TheRunner

I own a 2005 C230 with the 1.8 engine.
Never had an mechanical issues and I do all the basic up keep myself. The car has 248,000 and has never had a transmission flush.
Latley the car has been driving rough in the first 3 gears, then drives fine without issue. It does not shift hard nor jerk, but has a low deep vibration felt throughout the car when driving through the first 3 gears. I am kind of hestistate doing a transmission flush because I do not know if the new fluid would be a shock to the transmission. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Plutoe

Agree forget about any flush------check the complete propeller shaft\bearings for any vibrations

MJ50

moved to W203 forum...

insame1

there is a big difference between a flush and a change. A flush will force fluid through the system and could dislodge derbies. A fluid change will likely not have the same affect. Also new fluid will not " shock" the transmission.

shadenfroh

+1

LexBrett2

One option is to do a partial fluid change. Go through the dip stick on top with a reverse pump. You should get about 2.5 quarts. Make sure to get the back to exact same level with measuring tool, and use the correct fluid.

Roger161

With 248K miles, you might as well change out the transmission mount as well since you'll be in that vicinity. Should take less than 5 minutes to change out.

miike

Trans mount. Mine did that too and I thought it was an exhaust leak. Dealer did the job for $250 including parts.

jvakos

Insame1 - hey man hope you're well... old post digging up here.

i picked up a c240 4matic wagon with 120k miles that my dealer is saying should have a trans fluid service.

They quoted a trans flush for like $600 bucks which seems ridiculous - is that what trans flush costs? I get its a full flush of the 8 quartz of fluid which are like 20 bucks a quart and they say takes 2 hours so maybe thats accurate.

am considering a trans filter/gasket and fluid change which isnt the full flush - would guess that's half the cost? i checked my trans fluid via the cap with red clip on it and it was not black, but definitely brownish (almost like motor oil color) and not the red color when new.

would appreciate any input on trans flush vs trans fluid change and if its worth the money to do the full flush... thanks in advance guys

tjts1

Don't waste your money at the dealer. Get 3 gallons of Valvoline Maxlife ATF which carries the Mercedes "NAG1" rating at less than $20/gallon. Open up the drain in the transmission and let it drip out over night. Measure how much came out. It should be very close to 1 gallon. Pour the same amount in through the transmission dip stick tube. Drive the car around as you normally would for a couple of hundred miles and repeat the drain and refill 2 more times. That's it, you're done with the "flush". Flush machines only exist to save service shops time and money. A transmission flush is no more effective than multiple drain and refills as you dilute down the old ATF with fresh ATF. You don't need to drop the pan and change the filter unless you're fixing something else inside the transmission. Transmission filters don't clog up the same way as engine oil filters. With 3 drains and refills you can have the job done in under $60.

And no, it doesn't take the dealer 2hrs of labor they quoted you. With a lift and flush machine they'll have it done in under 30 minutes. These are vastly inflated labor and parts quotes.

Donald McPherso

I've got a filter and new sump gasket waiting for me to do a flush. Looks straight forward going by other posts and Youtube. Just need some fine weather as I will be doing outside.

jvakos

tjts1 - really appreciate the feedback! so no concerns if you dont change the trans filter? i would assume NO since at one point MB stated the trans was "closed" and didnt need any servicing. 60 bucks vs nearly 600 bucks for the same net effect makes much more sense!

slammer111

The filter is easy to change out once you remove the pan. To be honest, why not switch it out while you're down there? $20 for the bolts (no idea why they're one time use) and $30 for the filter and gasket.

tjts1

Because it's a waste of time. If you take apart a transmission filter you'll see that it's little more than a glorified mesh screen to catch the larger chunks. The only way for it to clog up is if your transmission has already self destructed. Save dropping the pan for when the conductor plate or a solenoid fails.

jvakos

tjts1

Youll get more ATF out through the transmission drain plug.

jvakos

C230 Sport Coup

Geez, just do it the right way. All those miles and too cheap and lazy to change the filter.
and use the shell ATF 134. That maxlife Valvoline crap is not approved by Mercedes. The shell product is cheap enough. Less than a hundred bucks a case on Ebay if you're going to do a full flush. Here's a kit that has everything you could want or need for changing your transmission fluid minus the fluid.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Mercedes-722-6-5-Speed-Transmission-Service-Kit-COMPLETE-w-Dipstick-DELUXE-/322427014483

Or since you guys don't believe the filters are worth a damn and the non genuine stuff is the same as the genuine stuff then go for this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-722-6-5-Speed-Transmission-Service-Kit-COMPLETE-with-Dipstick-DELUXE-/222592443750

Here's some info that might be of use to you.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-related.html

jvakos

C230SportCoupe - hey thank you so much for the links. yeah your right the OEM parts are like 30 bucks more than the non-OEM so why screw around considering its the trans so good advice, will do the pan drop and pull out the filter, clean the pan, magnet, and that gasket to a clean surface. should be good for 40k miles before the next one... thx fellas such great input from you all to help keep these older Benz cars running strong and healthy

tjts1

Dropping the pan to change a filter that can't clog is a waste of time and you risk screwing up the pan mounting for no good reason. Wait into the conductor plate or solenoids fail which they will eventually.

There are thousands of 722.6 transmissions running on maxlife ATF without any ATF related failures. It doesn't carry the MB approval because it conforms it doesn't meet the newer fuel economy specs for the 722.9. MB likes to claim it's current spec fluid for the latest transmissions back compatible with older cars.

C230 Sport Coup

Why buy unapproved fluid when approved fluid is about the same price? I just turned 245k miles. 2 full flushes and one stnd. servvice performed by me,, and no trans issues.
Forgive me if I think cutting corners like that to save
a couple bucks is a bad idea. I simply disagree.

tjts1

Show me where I can walk into a store and buy the "approved" ATF for $17/gallon please.

C230 Sport Coup

All 4 sides which is a PIA. Last time I did it, I rented a lift. DIY shop. Like the Hilton of DIY repair. If you have that option, go for it. Strongly suggest full flush also. Did mine at 120k. I was like having a new trans. See the thread I posted for diy I posted on that.

C230 Sport Coup

Show me where yer gonna get fluid for 17 a gallon including tax. And I will show you where you can get Shell ATF 134 for about 28 a gallon including tax and shipping. I prefer to. use approved products of which there are many.
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...rt1.html#close

Why risk it for such a small savings on a repair that you'll only do once every 2-6 or more years? Mercedes-spends Millions testing lubrication products.And many of them are from Valvoline. It's not like they have something against Valvoline. So why isn't this one approved? Well maybe because it didn't pass?! Dex Merc? No thanks.

Also you don't need to replace the bolts. It's not called in the WIS docs.
But it is called on the 7 speed, so maybe that's what Slammer was thinking.

Ok,click here for Shell for 88 bucks for a case no tax or shipping.
Which comes out to 28 a gallon.

Other option is try to see if a local Shell distributor will sell to you.
I purchased a case that way once for like $65 so that's what $16.25 a gallon, but the guy is a flake, they don't stock it, special order, very hard to get the deal set up, calling multiple times, and still it's not there to pickup plus driving 20 miles out of my way each direction at ~4 bucks a gallon.
I suppose I'm just too small a fish for him to bother with. But I managed to get one case.
Sold 6 bottles to a guy on Craigslist for $60 bucks, so basically got it for free.

Why bother?
For 20 bucks more it just shows up on your doorstep.

Lastly you definitely want to replace the Orings on the connector going into the trans,
New fluid has a way of wicking into the trans loom and TCU.
That piece is included in the kits I posted and I do mine with each trans service.
245K and no issues with the cables getting soaked with fluid and a fried TCU.

tjts1

So what you're saying is, your "approveda ATF can't compete with the price and availability of Valvoline Maxlife ATF which is used by thousands of happy 722.6 owners. Got it.