Buy a 10 qt drain pan. Drain the engine fluid into the uncontaminated pan and then take three 8oz samples out. Send two samples out for professional oil analysis by two different labs. Save the third sample. Have an unbiased witness with you who is willing to attest to the whole process if necessary. That'll be the only way to get a handle on engine damage but you'll want to use a borescope too. GL.

 

 

 

Wow I would be livid. Bring it to an MB dealer, get it done properly and document everything.

 

You better watch your *** on this one. I'd be speaking to a lawyer right now and then flatbedding the car to the dealer. And doing it all NOW, not in the morning.

 

Get proof of what they did in writing or with a recording. This is going to be crucial information if you go to court.

 

 

 

I would even have MB film removing the trans fluid from the engine and film them opening the trans pan to show that there is no fluid in it. Also make sure they document CLEARLY why you brought the car to MB and ensure that they document CLEARLY what they found. You need to make sure that you cover all angles.

 

The shop that did it should pay for whatever damages. You can't drain much out of the trans, without knowing how it works. If you just pull the plug with it not running, you get 2-3 quarts out, it's gonna be low but still have fluid in it. The engine overfilling wont' really hurt anything on this platform. The trans running low can cause serious damage, I'd do a proper trans service with filter, cut the old one open and see if there's any metal shavings or excessive wear particles in there. IF it is, have the dealer quote you for the repairs and have the shop pay for it.

 

What shop did this? Surely not a dealer?

 

 

But....I think I know why they made this terrible error....Older Mercedes models used to have a red tranny dipstick at the back of the motor. My 1993 W124 has it.

Damn though....I hope you're not left with a bad car after all this. Pity really...

 

they may be 5 stars for working on ford and GM transmissions.. If they were that good, they would have known that Mercedes hasn't used a transmission dipstick (aside from the new FWD cars) for the last decade.

 

i agree that the shop is horribly reckless and irresponsible for NOT making sure the protocol was followed for this particular vehicle and also that you should crucify them legally to the point your car/yourself are rectified......but as to the other****

there is good content in the quoted reply above. If they didnt drop the pan then you still should have roughly 4qts of fluid in the trans, this is not really an issue if driven short term as the MB procedure actually calls for adding fluid LESS than the required volume, then driving for a short period, then adding more fluid and correcting level. With that being said i would say most likely that once your tranny fluid level is returned to normal it will be fine. As for the engine, i also dont think that youll see any engine damage as a result of this error. the smoke you saw was most likely contaminants/sludge/upper valvetrain debris burning off due to the tranny fluid being introduced. they didnt drain the oil they just topped it off, meaning that if they were checking the level prolly less than 2qts would have been added. Keep in mind that you are not talking about 100% trans fluid lubricating your engine you are talking about a trans fluid/oil BLEND. When i have engines come into the shop that are gummed/sludged up and nasty as hell on the top end i will drain the oil, fill with 100% trans fluid, drive for approx 20min, drain fluid from pan, refill with fresh oil and new filter and call it a day with a VERY clean engine internally. In other vehicles i actually run 1qt of trans fluid in the oil at all times to keep sludge/build up from forming in the 1st place. An complete oil change(pan and cooler) and i honestly believe the engine will prove to be fine as well. IF you drove it as little as you say you did if it were my car i wouldnt be scared at all of either engine or transmission being damaged. Now other variables would change that of course(them actually draining trans and running dry or you driving for LONG periods with only 4ish quarts of fluid in trans)......very interested to see how this turns out

 

Take some samples for yourself.

 

Nowhere does it say to drive with 4L of transmission fluid in the protocol? It should never operate below 6.5L and definitely not driven below 8L.
If the converter and the transmission has been drained properly somewhere between 7.5 to 8L can be extracted. for the refill an additional 0.5 should be added. The transmission and torque converter hold from bone dry to full about 10L. Therefore 2L liter always stay in the Transmission even if drained properly.

Either way if they did not knock off the overflow pipe in the transmission pan roughly 2L could have been drained which leaves you with at least 8L remaining in the trans. Which is enough to not damage the transmission.

 

First of all, please use punctuation. Using no punctuation at all makes it difficult to understand what you're writing and makes you come across as being stupid. Glad BLKROKT took the time to "translate" the original post, or I probably wouldn't have even bothered reading it.

As for the car... I know you've probably already come to this conclusion on your own, and don't need me to beat a dead horse, but this is what happens when you take a Mercedes to a generic mechanic/transmission shop. To avoid stuff like this in the future, take the car to a dedicated Mercedes mechanic who has experience with this particular car.

As others have mentioned, it's entirely possible that no damage was done depending on how much transmission fluid was drained. Good luck, and keep us updated!

 

As much as I want to feel sympathy for the OP, I can't. Asinine decisions lead to disastrous outcomes.

 

BINGO.....