C55 tranny fluid/filter change..DIY?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
12 C63 Coupe
C55 tranny fluid/filter change..DIY?
hey guys, i got about 40k mi on my C55 and im wanting to do a transmission fluid/filter change. I know some of the trannys are sealed but im not sure about C55's. My question is can i do tranny flush myself or is it recommended i go to the dealership. I think they last quoted me at 270 + tax which isnt that bad but if i can do it myself i rather save a hundred or so on labor. I tried searching but got nothing pertaining to C55's specifically. Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: South of the Border
06 C55
My dealer recommended that the tranny be done at 39k miles. Supposedly a 390 dollar job so you may be getting a 'deal'. I'd hesitate to DIY simply due to the need to completely flush the torque converter and make sure its refilled.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 3
From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
Bump... Question?
Bumping a thread from the dead. At least I'm searching.... My car needs a transmission fluid change bad. I got a bunch of racing time and dyno pulls on my stock fluid not to mention I just smoked my motor oil but thats bound to happen with all my dyno pulls and tuning that has taken place over the past month.
Here is a question:
My car when it shifts from gear to gear is havening a delay and not shifting smooth, Part of me thinks with 43000 miles its time for some new fluid in the trans. Do any of you think this could of will improve shifting from gear to gear.
Aslo note its kind of hard to get a feel for the hard shift on the street for me. if I'm at 40mph and hit the kick down I get wheel spin and it almost feels like my car has no idea what to do. or if I slowly go to WOT i run out of road. making it hard to go through the gears.
In any event do you guys think that doing a trans flush and fuild change could yeild any benefit?
Here is a question:
My car when it shifts from gear to gear is havening a delay and not shifting smooth, Part of me thinks with 43000 miles its time for some new fluid in the trans. Do any of you think this could of will improve shifting from gear to gear.
Aslo note its kind of hard to get a feel for the hard shift on the street for me. if I'm at 40mph and hit the kick down I get wheel spin and it almost feels like my car has no idea what to do. or if I slowly go to WOT i run out of road. making it hard to go through the gears.
In any event do you guys think that doing a trans flush and fuild change could yeild any benefit?
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: South of the Border
06 C55
Given the heat abuse that your fluid has been taking, I'd say that you'll definitely find an improvement. Whether it helps your tranny figure out WTF when you stomp on it, I don't know. That sounds more like a software issue. Didn't you do a TCU upgrade?
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 3
From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
If you watch the video vs the viper you can hear the shifts and they are a bit delayed. Part of me also thinks I might be to close to redline when it shifts??
here is the video again try a listen to the shifts. You can kind of hear the delay I'm speaking of from the exhaust note.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc2J9xwLEb4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 0
From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
if you have the 722 tranny its an easy job. theres a drain plug in the pan. drain it. then refill with approx 3 qts fluid. disconnect the output line and put it in a jug. with the rear wheels off the ground start the car and put it in gear. go through the gears with 3 secs in each gear . shut off car. you should have close to a gallon of fluid in the jug from the converter. refill with new fluid reconnect line start car and bring up to temp. short drive go through the gears then recheck fluid level. install red tab in cap and your done!
8 qts fluid tranny filter and new gasket red locking tab tranny fluid level tool total approx 200$
you can save afew bucks by using crossfire/sprinter fluid from the chrysler dealer
8 qts fluid tranny filter and new gasket red locking tab tranny fluid level tool total approx 200$
you can save afew bucks by using crossfire/sprinter fluid from the chrysler dealer
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
I DON'T COME HERE ANYMORE
had mine done at the dealer-cost me $290-def noticed a change in the gears and shifting-fluid was still pink, but the dealer was glad to see me at 42k (MBZ suggests brake and tranny fluid every 20k miles.....wow!)
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: South of the Border
06 C55
Hooley, listened to the video. Shifts don't sound instant but they really don't sound too bad. Given my understanding of the bullet proof nature of the 722, I'd be kinda surprised if you're slipping, though you are in new and uncharted territory. Let us know how the shifts are now that you've got the fluid changed.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 3
From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
Hooley, listened to the video. Shifts don't sound instant but they really don't sound too bad. Given my understanding of the bullet proof nature of the 722, I'd be kinda surprised if you're slipping, though you are in new and uncharted territory. Let us know how the shifts are now that you've got the fluid changed.
My take is with all this wheel spin its causing the trans to not know what to do. But the fluid did help.
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: South of the Border
06 C55
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 3
From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
I think of it as more along the lines of a pissed off employee saying F this! I quit!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
I DON'T COME HERE ANYMORE
Hooley-you have a rear LSD, right? ESP off when making runs I assume-in sport mode-breaking at 50 at WOT will glaze a flywheel/clutch pack after a while (insert-50 drags, or a summer of hard driving)-did you replace with stock MB fluid-maybe try the Motul-or a fluid that doesn/wont foam and has a higher viscosity might help-
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
2005 C55 AMG, 2010 VW GTI (Stage 1)
i just got this done on saturday, in addition to a brake flush - i dont track run my car, but i've already noticed a big improvement in responsiveness and throttle. i do, however, need to mount on my new front tires, which i'm sure will have my car back to feelin like its brand new...... gotta love fresh tread 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 11
From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
if you have the 722 tranny its an easy job. theres a drain plug in the pan. drain it. then refill with approx 3 qts fluid. disconnect the output line and put it in a jug. with the rear wheels off the ground start the car and put it in gear. go through the gears with 3 secs in each gear . shut off car. you should have close to a gallon of fluid in the jug from the converter. refill with new fluid reconnect line start car and bring up to temp. short drive go through the gears then recheck fluid level. install red tab in cap and your done!
8 qts fluid tranny filter and new gasket red locking tab tranny fluid level tool total approx 200$
you can save afew bucks by using crossfire/sprinter fluid from the chrysler dealer
8 qts fluid tranny filter and new gasket red locking tab tranny fluid level tool total approx 200$
you can save afew bucks by using crossfire/sprinter fluid from the chrysler dealer
Not only will you shorten the lifespan of the transmission significantly, but the TC will run dry and OUCH.
Who in their right mind EVER told you about such a SILLY thing
Please tell me this was a joke.
WOOAA!!
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: South of the Border
06 C55
I think what he was talking about was flushing the old fluid out of the TC rather than draining it. I'm with you though on the potential hazard posed by this procedure. I think that it would probably be alright if you had a large reservoir go guarantee that it wouldn't / couldn't run dry but otherwise I'd be scared to do that myself.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2016 GLE400
so is it possible to change the tranny fluid/filter on our c55?
hmmmm im planning to have my tranny fluid done. but 300 dollars is a little steep for me at this time... but i wanna get it done asap
hmmmm im planning to have my tranny fluid done. but 300 dollars is a little steep for me at this time... but i wanna get it done asap
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
Since this thread has been bumped up, I will post my findings here. The 5 speed transmission in the C55 is NOT a DIY job. The C55 does NOT have a transnission dipstick tube, thus you have no way to add fluid! The C55 has the same fill procedure as the newer 7G transmission where they hook a machine up to the "drain plug" and pump fluid into the transmission. The 5 speed transmission is cheaper to service because the fluid is much cheaper. I can't remember what my service advisor told me, but around $300 sounds right. They told me it would be about $400 with my old C230 with the 7G. I'm not sure if the C55's 5 speed trans has a drain on the torque converter like the "regular" cars do, but I do know the 7G does not have a converter drain. Oh, and AllData says the C55 transmission only holds 9.3 qts of fluid.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Total W203 722.6x gearbox and ancillary plumbing/cooler capacity is approximately 10 liters.
MB’s specified flushing procedure necessitates about 14 liters...there’s no converter drain plug on ours.
All '55s on which I've wrenched have a fill tube. :nix:
5 speed ATF part number is 001 989 21 03 10.
The 722.9x 7-speed’s (more typically stocked) 001 989 45 03 10 is backwards compatible.
They’re refined by Shell & Fuchs for repackaging in MB containers.
Trade price for either is ~$10 a liter.
MB’s specified flushing procedure necessitates about 14 liters...there’s no converter drain plug on ours.
All '55s on which I've wrenched have a fill tube. :nix:
5 speed ATF part number is 001 989 21 03 10.
The 722.9x 7-speed’s (more typically stocked) 001 989 45 03 10 is backwards compatible.
They’re refined by Shell & Fuchs for repackaging in MB containers.
Trade price for either is ~$10 a liter.
Last edited by splinter; Oct 6, 2010 at 07:02 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: USA
Marsaydees
