Hello- New member. New Mercedes owner as well. Very first German car in over 50 yrs of owning cars. I'm amazed the engineering on these.

So I now have a '92 400E with 153k miles. It's in very good condition, it appears well kept. I acquired it because the previous owner passed away but the family has not (so far) located any service records.

I'm wanting to go ahead and do complete trans service including replacing torque converter fluid. Having a ridiculous time so far trying to find online info on how much fluid it will take to do the -complete- fluid change. What I've found so far is about 7.7 liters needed for trans service but there's no mention if this actually includes torque converter change as well.

Also, what is your opinion of best fluid to use, I'd appreciate that too. I've heard Mobil ATF D/M is what most dealers use. True?
And, engine oil, what brand especially and what weight is best with this many miles? I live in So Cal, not exactly harsh conditions.

Thanks in advance!!
mbnewbb

I just changed the trans fluid from torque converter and trans along with the filter too.
The magic number is 8 quarts if both trans and torque converter are drained. I don't think I got 8 quarts but close to it.

The biggest problem for me was accessing torque converter bolt...you have to turn engine until the bolt aligns with the little whole of the torque converter and even than exhaust will be in your way. I got ball point 5mm socket and it worked easily after that.

Check this links:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=640
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ter_Change.htm

Thanks Alex! I presume by ball point socket you mean swivel socket? It sounds as if the trans fluid then ends up draining all over the exhaust..

No swivel, I tried and it was too thick, I meant ball point socket because you can insert it under the angle, like this one:

https://www.google.com/search?q=5mm+...=1512498951764

I have pictures and I can send it tonight if I find them. Yes it drains over the exhaust but not a lot at all...

Ah yes, hex bit sockets. Thanks! This car is new (to me) and I mean new, first German car ever. Big learning curve many things with it. For another, now I have to discover how to take the cap off where the trans dip stick usually is. Where I usually add the fluid with a funnel. What's the secret of this? omg, I feel like it's first car I ever worked on.. (which was actually an 8 yr old '55 Chevy.. I was eight yrs old). Seriously, cap just spins around n around, I could force things but experience has been with that it usually ends in breakage.

To lift the cap off of a trans dipstick you have to pull the lever on it up and than you can lift it. That lever kind of releases it... Also look at the first link I sent you they explain how to remove the plug too. I never had to do the screwdriver part but maybe its for another model. Mine is 94'.

This one is while the trans was draining, very little exhaust mess...
Bottom two are the hex bit socket in action...

Yes, I've been reading over those links on the whole process. Big THANKS! I'm just now tackling reinstalling the a/c condenser, also searching for threads on that because it's far more difficult than I had planned.. But this is for another thread. Thanks again, I can tell already the articles are -exactly- what I needed.

Again, very helpful Alex. Thanks for taking the time.

No problem. Good luck to you! Condenser is hell of a job from what I heard ....