tworotorturbo

2002 C32 with 114K miles. Decided to do a new trans gasket, filter and flush the ATF. I do have access to a BG fluid exchanger at my old shop but didn't feel like sneaking around to use it.

I'm posting this to reassure anyone that it is indeed a very easy task. This was done by myself. Although I used to be a tech, I would say that if you can do an oil change, this ATF flush is just as simple (Pan gasket and filter is also very very easy).

Sorry guys, I took a lot of pictures but somehow deleted them from my phone =(
These are the only pics I have left.

Removed passenger side air intake.
Removed the UPPER ATF line from the radiator.
Slipped on my clear plastic hose (Purchase at any hardware store, 1/2") over the UPPER ATF line. I also ran the hose through the air intake hole in the radiator support. This gives the hose a perfect angle to connect the ATF line and reduces the chances of the hose slipping off.
Placed the other end of the hose into my container (Ideally, the container will be translucent).
Started up the car and let it idle as the fluid is pumped out.
Once 2-3 Qts gets pumped out, stop the engine and replenish with new ATF.
Repeat until you see the fresh ATF in the clear hose (took me about 8 qts of old fluid being pumped out before the fresh ATF got to the hose).
Use the special service tool to fill at proper level.

If anyone is in the SF Bay Area, I can lend you the special service tool and hose. DIY and save yourself some $$




clear 1/2" hose is a perfect fit right over the ATF line. You can see where a ounce or two of ATF spilled from the connection when I pulled it away from the radiator. Have a rag in hand and you should not have a mess like this.





Cheap funnel with built-in flex tube fits snugly into the ATF fill tube. No leaks at all.




Engine was not running during this pic. When the engine is on, you will see a steady bubble free flow of ATF coming through the tube.

loudandheard

What is the specialty tool for, are you talking about the dip stick or special funnel to fill the fluid? Did you have let the tranny fluid warm up and then check it with a ir thermometer? I think the only way to measure the fluid is at a certain temperature. Can't wait for the pics.

tworotorturbo

SST is the cool "dipstick." It has two markings, one for ambient (25C) and one for 80C. I checked the levels at both temps, and all was good. If you have access to a IR thermo, it helps.

misfire84

Excelent. a way of changing the Fluid with out having to go under the car , I might give that a go ,

testknight

Hey, thanks for the info, this type of tech is exactly what this site needs more of. I would greatly appreciate those pics to be posted when you have time to do so.

ddtham

Sounds like a fun DIY! Great job!

Do you know if the tranny fluid has been replaced before? The reason I asked is because on the Bimmers that have similar "lifetime fluid," it is not advisable to change the fluid after 100K miles, if the fluid has never been replaced before as it might displace metal deposits that have been sitting harmlessly on the bottom of the pan. A lot of X5 owners reported transmission failure right after fluid change.

Does anyone know if MBs suffer from the same issues? I think Bimmers outsourced their Transmissions to ZF and GM while MBs build their own?

doom239

Wow Dude Let me come over and do mine !
I really need a tranny flush!

gt4awd

Have to laugh when the dealership says they'll do this for $800 dollars...

SGTzAMG

AWESOME DIY!!!
so how do u go about replacing the filter and gasket??

loudandheard

You were only using the pump as a container to drain the fluid into right? You never actually used the pump to pump out the fluid?

tworotorturbo

This is a common issue across all makes and models, not just BMW. When I worked as a service advisor at the dealers, I would NOT do a trans flush or even drain and refill on a vehicle with high miles that looked like they failed to maintain the transmission.

tworotorturbo

Yeah no problem. Go get the fluid and filter/gasket if needed (online is cheapest). I figure I went and bought the "dipstick" and clear hose, might as well let some of you guys use it since I don't think I'll be using it again.

I only used the MityVac as a container since its translucent, never vacuumed and ATF.

As for the pan gasket and filter:
remove the drain bolt and drain all fluid
remove 6 oil pan bolts (and 1 heat shield bolt, remove this first)
Pan should come right off
Pull off the old filter, it should come right off
Clean and inspect Magnet
Clean and inspect pan and mating surfaces
Install new filter, slide it right on snugly
Install new pan gasket.

Easy peezy lemon squeezy.

Hey, if anyone local wants to come by and do this, we can take pics and do a more detailed DIY so that our less mechanically inclined members can save some $$ too.

c32jet

Hi,

Saw this post and am considering making a run at this myself...

Just called the MB Dealership and they say the fluid is $23.85 a bottle (quart I assume). Is this right? He says it is fully synthetic, but hey... that sounded high even for MB Synthetic. I am well beyond any warranty, so can I use another brand of synthetic ATF? Would anyone highly recommend against that and if so why?

They say I need 9 of these to do a full flush. Can anyone confirm?

gt4awd

It's actually 14L for a full flush. You can get the OE fluid online for around $15 a liter. I bought 14L of FEBI which is manufactured by the same chemical company, and meets all MB specs. Cost $11 per liter. Transmission seems to shift different now, and a little rougher maybe. I recommend OE fluid, and so do most people on the forum.

Full flush requires draining through transmission cooler return line. I did this along with radiator swap to BEHR by myself in a day.

Viper98912

Look up 0019896803 at RMEuropean.com. Fuchs 4134 is the latest and greatest that MB says to put in their transmissions.... It takes about 4 liters for a pan drop, drain and fill. I think I read that flush could take up to 14 liters. If you plan on diy'ing, other part numbers you may need include 1402770095, 1402710080, 1402710060, and 1409910055.

Beware that with such a high mileage car though, I'm unsure of the implications of changing the fluid.

DrewZ9266

Good write up. I plan on doing this at some point pretty soon. I'm running 67k and figure it would be a good time to do it. I also have a leak that LOOKS like it's around the pan. I tightened some of the bolts down a bit since they weren't very tight at all, and unfortunately, one broke. I wasn't tightening it very hard or anything. I guess thats Mercedes for ya.

60n5pt1

If anyone is in the SF Bay Area, I can lend you the special service tool and hose. DIY and save yourself some $$

San Jose area? And how much time did this take?

Raj7229

The trasmission oil change by tworototurbo was very nice but I have a question. I have a 2003 E320 at 80,000 miles and I want to do the transmission oil change and filter change. Can I suck out the oil through the trasmission dipstic tube with mityvac 7201 as much as I can then take out the pan from underneath, change filter and gasket. If I go this way how much of the oil I can take out by mityvac.Or should I do differently to get better results. Please advise. Thanks.

mskembo

You guys are scaring the crap out of me. My C240 just turned over the 100,000 mile mark, and I have no idea if the previous owner did any transmission maintenance. What would be the best path to precede on given the situation? I don't want to just leave it be, so if I drop the pan, drain it all out, and then do a full flush like you described here should that protect me pretty well? Or should I go get raped by the stealership just to pass on the liability?

Raj7229

Mike I havnt done mine yet on 2003 E320 which has 80k miles on it but I dont think your car carries any warranty after 100k miles. You havnt mentioned the year of your car and I could be wrong but check with your stealer.
sandhur

mskembo

Yeah, I know there is no warranty, but if they do a full tranny service and then it fails I can blame them!

gt4awd

If it's shifting good right now the transmission should be fine. If the dealership finds any problems with the transmission they will note it, and they will make sure no liability can be held. Do it yourself, or find a shop that has quality work.

ohlord

atf nag1/722.6 mb spec. $5 a quart.
Get Er done

mskembo

Anyone in Texas wanna meet up for a Tranny party? Wait, that didn't sound right?

Simbad

I'm concerned about the idea of not doing if you have higher mileage.
my C32 has 112k Miles and i was considering taking to my local specialist to get the tranny fluid changed.
to my knowledge this has never been done. would i be opening a can of worms?
other than the annoying jerk in 2nd my tranny seems to be shifting just fine. i was thinking to do it to keep it running for longer.