butter123

My 08 E350 4matic 722.6 transmission was serviced at the dealer at 50k in mid 2012. Which I assume they put in the MB 134 fluid and now at 100k, it's time for another.
The dealer said a 5 quart filter and gasket change will be performed for a "transmission service". A local independent german repair shop quote for $300 vs the $400 the stealership. The 722.6 transmission doesn't seem too difficult to work on if it's just the pan and fill. My question is, should I buy 6 quarts of shell atf 134 and OE filter and gasket and let a local tranny shop to work on it or bring it to a german specialized shop? I know the tranny would require a special dip stick and laser thermometer.
Maybe someone that is familiar with the NAG1 transmission would be enough to change the fluid?

jkowtko

I think that last statement pretty much says it.

If you have enough knowledge (and it doesn't take much for this particular tranny) then you should be able to DIY it. So if you can trust that a regular mechanic knows these cars then you can assume they will do it right.

I wouldn't necessarily say that an MB mechanic knows any better -- they likely just do more of them. However there are many MB transmissions, each with a different way of doing the same service. So don't expect your MB expert to know.

i hate to tell you this, but for only $100 more I would think you get much better warranty coverage from the stealership.

if you DIY it though, not only will you save $200, but you can also buy 6 more quarts of ATF134, a 1/2"ID plastic tubing, and do the full tranny flush yourself for under $100 all in

tw2

I agree, for that price difference just have the dealer do it. Here it is $8-900 at the dealer and $450 at an independent. DIY is not hard but you need the transmission dipstick from ebay and I used the laser temp gun on the pan as you have suggested. There are lots of writeups around the forums on how to do it.

xsever

What needs to be done:

1. Remove 6 pan bolts and remove the pan
2. Let the ATF drain in a marked container
3. Remove old filter
4. Let everything drain and drip for a while
6. Replace the old pan gasket with a new one
5. Replace the old filter with a new one
6. Install the pan and the bolts back
7a. If you don't have a thermometer and and the dipstick and want to DIY to save money, measure how much fluid drained in the marked container and add the same quantity back + a bit more to account for drips outside the container. It's not the most precise method, but it will do the job and save you a considerable amount of money. I've done it before and ~ 4.5 quarts came out. I had bought 6 to be on the safe side.
7b. Either buy the thermometer and the dipstick for future changes or have a local tranny shop do the above work.
8. With enough new ATF put back (4 quarts or so), turn the car on, step on the brakes firmly, and cycle through the P R N D several times letting it stay in gear for 5-10 seconds for all the fluid to reach all parts of the transmission. After doing that a couple of times, turn the car off, add the remaining ATF, and then go for a test drive.

To sum it up, the ATF change is simple enough for any mechanic to do given they have the tools to do it or by going the 7a route from above. When I lived in Canada, I went by method 7a because the stearlship wanted $400-500 for it. Now in Lebanon, my friend is a mechanic who works for the local MB Dealer and I change it at his own garage for peanuts.

My cost in USD is $75 for 6 quarts of ATF 4134, $12.30 for the filter, and $8.42 for the gasket so yes I would use method 7a and do it myself to save $400.

butter123

Thanks for the quick replies. Im trying to save up to change the motor mounts which are about $600. As for as the warranty goes, I do not believe the stealership will "warranty" the transmission if it breaks down after the fluid change.

My question is, would it be more ideal to buy the $20 MB 134 to mix with the old MB 134 fluid or it's fine mixing the shell 134 with it. I know the Shell 134 is a semi synthetic blend.
Anyone know if the MB 134 is a full synthetic?

tw2

You can mix old and new fluid together, whether it is the old or new spec fluids. Glyn mentions this in a previous post probably in this thread. I don't think there would be a problem mixing different brands but I would keep to the same if possible. I think MB is Fuch?

grane

I'd do the motor and/or transmission mounts first if they are defective (not just a oh its at 100k so I should change them.) Then I would change the fluid filter, etc. If you have Amazon Prime there are good kits that include the parts you need. You can plug your car in and it will tell you whether the parts fit to not. I use the Shell 134 in two of our cars, an '02, an 05 5 speeds. No problem mixing it with MB fluid or old fluid. But make sure you have your VIN so you can contact the vendor if there is a question about your 7 speed. The other way is to read your OM - they are online at the MB site if you search for them.. As the OP said there are many variants of 722.6. But realize you are not doing a complete fluid change with 5 quarts. It just makes it easier/faster for the dealer unless they have the knowledge or the proper equipment. Besides, it ties up two techs if there is no TC drain bolt to do a complete service. Therefore, MBUSA has declared that all 5 speeds only need a 5 quart drop the pan service. Punkt.

Since you don't state where you are own the world, I am assuming you are in NA. Warning- it is very hard to convince a MBUSA service writer that a transmission that holds 8.5 quarts cannot be serviced with 5 quarts. You will have to go to the service director to have the full procedure done. It does exist in WIS for both "sealed" .6 transmissions as well as the one with a torque converter drain bolt. Consider changing the rear end oil at that mileage also, a simple job.

I think the best advice (above) is to find a dealership technician who "moonlights" and has his/her own garage. They usually have access to WIS/Star that many indies don't. My guy doesn't want to get parts he just wants to work on the car so don't worry.

butter123

Yes, I live Texas and a lot the mb dealerships here are owned by independent owners. So each dealership have slightly different service procedures. Most service adviser said the pan and filter holds slightly less than 5 qts of atf. Should I buy 5 or 6 quarts? Fuchs 4134 or shell 134 or even Fuchs 3353? Should I also buy that red plastic tab seal as well to close the fill hole back up?

jkowtko

I bought Shell ATF134 for around $6/qt a while back. I think it can still be found that cheap. If you are really only going to do drain and fill, I would still buy 6 qts just in case. Nothing as painful as pouring dirty fluid back into your transmission because you're a little short

xsever

Are you sure it's got a 722.6 5-speed transmission? As far as I know, it should have the 722.9 7-speed transmission which requires ATF that conforms to MB's 236.14 or .15 which can be found here:

http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/236.14_en.html

http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/236.15_en.html

Please post your VIN so that we double check which transmission it is.

grane

Great advice!

__pierce

I second this - thought the same exact thing while reading this post, almost positive '06+ 722.9 7 speed.

butter123

The standard rwd w211 06+ is using the 722.9 transmission, but the 4matic still uses the older 722.6 till the w212. I can confirm this.

I guess MB haven't came out with a all wheel drive system for the 722.9 transmission till the w212 model. The 722.6 is one of the best transmission in the world that can handle up to 800lb of torque! Funny thing is the 722.6 is used in Jeep grand cherokee and as well as the Maybach 62 and Mercedes SLR. Weird how a $30k car share such a major component with a $500k car!

xsever

Oh ok! Now it's all clear. Thanks for the info.

Yeah I swear by the 722.6 transmission and how reliable and solid it is. I stayed away from 06-07 CLKs because of the engine+transmission problems they have and went for the facelift 05 CLK with the reliable M112 and the 722.6 transmission.

Anyway, back to the ATF. When I lived in Canada, I changed ATF using Shell ATF134. In Lebanon, I use Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134. Both are 236.14 approved.

butter123

I'm guessing, just guessing: the Fuchs 4134 is the same as the oe $21 mb 134 while the shell is the oe chysler atf.

Btw it is almost impossible to find any 236.10 spec fluid at least in the US. I believe most 722.6 transmission now "should" have at least 50k on them and have been changed with 234.14 fluids if it have been serviced by the stealership.

I spoke to a Mercedes service adviser and asked him if I should do a full flush or just the pan and filter. He said if the fluid have been changed according to the interval, a 5-6 quart would be enough and that a full flush on a old transmission might break it. He said the main purpose of the tranny service is to change out the filter.

According to Fuchs website, the 4134 oil is rated at 60000k, can't find anything about the shell 134 except it's a semi synthetic.

xsever

Any ATF on the 236.14 spec sheet will do.

It's a known fact that the interval for an ATF + Filter change for the 722.6 is 60,000 km.

Rudeney

There is no official interval for fluid changes on the 722.6 as it was sold as "sealed for life". If MBZ were to issue a TSB for that, they could end up with a class-action suit for all the failed transmissions. Unofficially, they told the dealer network that changes at 70K mile intervals were "acceptable" where the "customer or tech desired a change". They backpedaled on the 722.9 and scheduled a one-time 39K mile change. My advice, do it every 40K on either transmission if you want to keep them running for as long as possible.

crymar

Quote:

Originally Posted by butter123

The 722.6 is one of the best transmission in the world that can handle up to 800lb of torque! Funny thing is the 722.6 is used in Jeep grand cherokee and as well as the Maybach 62 and Mercedes SLR. Weird how a $30k car share such a major component with a $500k car!

That's essentially true. However, internal variations allow the 722.6 to handle various torque loads.. A three-digit suffix denotes what engine the trans was designed for. A V-12 S600 and C240 use the 722.6, but they don't really share the same transmission. The fact that the basic design can be used in so many cars (American, Chinese, and British vehicles included) shows what a great transmission the 772.6 is.

butter123

I went with fuchs 4134 on my w211 4matic. It is a little bit smoother, but it can just be psychological.
However, my local european shop only used 4L out of the 6L they told me to bring. Is that too little for a filter and pan drop?
Now I have 2 extra liters of fuchs 4134.

tw2

I used 3.8L so that is about right.

xsever

When I changed the ATF on mine, I let it drip overnight and I used 4.4 L the next day.

jkowtko

So the 6L that auto shops charge you $90 or so in parts for is just price padding ...

tw2

Probably. I only needed 5.5L after removing the valve body as well as filter change.

clydem

That link doesn't work.
Followed this one
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...-kit-722-6fck1
no drain plug $79

floridawriter

Don't forget Porsche used this transmission.