Changing Transmission Fluid
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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Changing Transmission Fluid
On E320, 2001, Can I Change Transmission Fluid Myself. It Has 30,000 Miles. I Was Wondering May Be I Can Drain The Fluid Since It Has A Drain Plug; Open The Pan, Change The Filter. However Is There A Drain Plug For Torque Converter. After Draining The Torque Converter, Screw Back The Plug In And Then Fill The Fluid From Top Just Like Any Other Car. What Kind Of Fluid Should I Use? Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Albuquerque, NM
09' E350, 01' Maxima SE, 93 Nissan Maxima SE, 1987 Nissan Maxima SE
Good luck with that, draining the tranny fuild is not hard but getting to the torque converter, there's a a opening to access to the bolt but the converter has to be rotated or turned to get the bolt align with the opening in order to unscrew the bolt. I didn't even bother doing it myself, i took it to the dealer cuz i knew it won't work unless it's on a lift.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
I'm fairly certain that Mercedes removed the drain plug for the torque converter in 1999. Your best bet may be to exchange the fluid through the transmission cooler lines.
You'll need to use a special Mercedes synthetic fluid. Don't use regular transmission fluid in it.
You'll need to use a special Mercedes synthetic fluid. Don't use regular transmission fluid in it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
There is also no trans fluid dipstick, at least not on my 99 - you will have to buy a special dipstick.
I paid $175 for a flush/fluid/filter at my local mb dealer. I didn't think that was bad at all.
I paid $175 for a flush/fluid/filter at my local mb dealer. I didn't think that was bad at all.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 462
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From: By the City by the Bay, CA
2001 E320 (210.065), Brilliant Silver; 2002 Ducati ST-2, Arrest-me Red
Lightman's got it right...IMHO
I'm going to throw in with Lightman on this one. As lexrex notes, the fluid is MB specific and it's $10 a liter at a discount (and who knows how much you need -- last US car I did was 11 quarts). The dipstick is another $48(!) and when you add in the filter and flushing as well as the accumulated mess, $175 sounds like a good deal. Of course, where I live, it's probably more than that, but...
That said, unless your car has been abused, I don't think I'd be worrying about changing the fluid until something like 60-70K; that seems to be when most folks get it done, and I don't think MBZ really has a spec on when to do it. I'm coming up on my 60K 'B' service and I'll probably have the dealer do that (although I'll be doing lots of the items on it beforehand in order to keep the cost down).
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
That said, unless your car has been abused, I don't think I'd be worrying about changing the fluid until something like 60-70K; that seems to be when most folks get it done, and I don't think MBZ really has a spec on when to do it. I'm coming up on my 60K 'B' service and I'll probably have the dealer do that (although I'll be doing lots of the items on it beforehand in order to keep the cost down).
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
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Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: New York City
e320 99
tranny fluid change
I did the change this weekend and I took out the oil pan and changed the filter, etc, however, I took out only about 4.5 quarts of tranny fluid. I know its suppose to be atleast just as much in torque converter, but i could not find the torque converter drain bolt for my life. Anyone did this on a 99? I know that there are two lines that are to cool off the tranny fluid, are they suppose to be hooked up a machine for a tranny flush? is that the only way to replace rest of it from the torque coverter?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
Originally Posted by diffuzi0n
I did the change this weekend and I took out the oil pan and changed the filter, etc, however, I took out only about 4.5 quarts of tranny fluid. I know its suppose to be atleast just as much in torque converter, but i could not find the torque converter drain bolt for my life. Anyone did this on a 99? I know that there are two lines that are to cool off the tranny fluid, are they suppose to be hooked up a machine for a tranny flush? is that the only way to replace rest of it from the torque coverter?
Go to Silverstar Motors in Northern Blvd. Had my tranny fluid completely flushed and replaced there about a month ago for about $180 or thereabouts. That includes filter and 8 quarts of fluid that if you buy separately would cost you $12 per quart. Let them do the job for you that way they can also check your car bottoms for anything else that needs checking. No need to do it yourself and buy a dipstick and all that jazz. Would end up being more expensive.
By the way, I changed my own sparkplugs and it was not easy but a great experience. I have some pictures to download when I find the time.
.
