loclark757

I have all the tools and new parts to perform a filter and fluid change on my 300E...

As far as I know its pretty straightforward.

Most of the trans fluid has leaked out! Migrated out I guess. The car hasn't been run in 7 months.

Im going to change the gasket on the pan as well as the trans filter plus fluid etc...

Anything I should keep in mind?

Arnie

I would also drain the fluid from the torque converter (which holds almost half of the AT fluid). Other then that, it's pretty simple job.

loclark757

Im guessing there's a drain plug on the torque converter?

Arnie

Yes, open the plastic plug on the bootom of the converter housing and turn the crank shaft using a socket on the main pulley bolt, you'll see it.

loclark757

What about the reassembly pattern for the bolts on the trans pan...

How should it be reassembled bolt pattern wise? I saw 10-12lb. torque

I saw in another post that it has to be done in a certain sequence.

Arnie

I've done it many times, there is nothing special about it. Don't overtighten it, because you'll squeeze the gasket out. No pattern as far as I now. You are making it sound way too complicated, relax.

loclark757

Which trans fluid should I use?

Arnie

I always used Walmart brand, because it's cheap. BTW, my car has 159K miles and the AT still works flawlessly. I religiously change AT fiter/fluid, including draining th torqu converter, every 30K miles.

loclark757

Ok I checked the transmission dipstick and the residual fluid looked great... Red color that it is

Would it still be necessary to do a fluid and filter change despite the appearance of clean trans fluid?

pifcat2

If it hasn't been changed for 30k, do it.

When you refill, don't fill to full so the TC will fill. Let it run and then top it off.

loclark757

Silly me can this be replicated to the M104 engine? I've been busy with both cars and I got them mixed up.

Im referring to the E320 now!

Im closing in on 196,000 miles...

I was under the car today and its going to be very straightforward but I didn't have a new screw for the torque converter. Going to the dealership tomorrow! Im going to get the service record as well. It was maintained at both rival Mercedes dealers in my area.

I think I'll just do it anyways since I have everything plus it will give me peace of mind knowing I just changed it...

ESTJ

[quote=loclark757;4234782]Which trans fluid should I use?]

Febi MB 236.6/7 Power Steering Fluid

Datasheet says that it was previously known as Fuchs ATF Dexron IID, exactly what is now so impossible to find.

Found it at carpartsdiscount.com

loclark757

You can use any Dexron III ATF. Even the cheap stuff is fine. They told me this at the dealership.

The only thing im unsure of is whether or not it should be synthetic or not.

Anyone know? I don't think it would matter though really...

Kestas

No, the cheap stuff not synthetic, though they do make synthetic Dex III. I use the cheap stuff for my 95 E320.

You don't need a new drain screw for the torque converter. But you do need a new crush washer for it.

loclark757

I got the crush washer. I was about to do it this past sunday and was unsure about the drain plug on the trans fluid pan. It looks like a hex screw.

Are there any washers on there that have to be replaced?

Kestas

Just two -- the one for the tans pan drain plug and the one for the torque converter drain plug. I believe they are both hex screws, identical in size.

loclark757

Nice! I did it today on my E320 M104 engine which is almost identical to an E300.

Turned out to be a messy job! The result is a much quicker throttle response. A much smoother ride as well.

I didn't have any sludge in my pan... Still looked like new fluid in a way but a little darker...

dsgn

The fluid to use is MB 236.1 transmission fluid for 722.3xx (especially the .359 and up). The last MB sold me was MB 236.10.

The oil in actuality is Fuch Titan or Mobil 134. These are euro and they wouldn't be stock here in the States.

A lot of Fluid Mechanics is in place and the Renolds Number compositions differ fundamentally. I believe from the fluid design that the MB fluid is magnetic at some layer within the fluid structure to suspend metallic granules till it is trapped at the filter. The conventional oil will only sweep. I believe it is from '91 that the synthetics were required.

dsgn

[quote=ESTJ;4518162]
Power steering fluid should never be used in any transmission.

Fuch ATF Dexron as you mentioned is not an approved formulation.

Mercedes transmission fluid is basically Fuchs Titan but rebottled. 236.10 is a rebottled Titan 3353 by Shell & Fuch Europe.

dsgn

My error!!! I did not know it was an '88. I had in mind a '93.