mike62

I think we all know that trans fluid is not actually a "non serviceable" item. I have about 100K miles on mine now. Car is smooth as silk, no hestitation, clunks or anything odd. What's the recommendation on a service like this? and I have heard that the filter is really just a fairly coarse wire mesh screen that needs cleaning, not replacing. Looking for suggestions please.
1998 E320 4 matic. Part city / highway miles, New England climate. Thanks!

C43AMG

I would recommend every 35k , regardless of what Benz it is.

ohlord

www.benzworld.org w210 forum
your 98 has a drain for the torque converter so you drain that also.
Do not have it flushed, just drain replace filter and fill properly.

austinholloman

I'm at the same mileage. I'm planning on changing oil and filter and the tranny mount too.

mike62

Thanks all.

oh Lord - Why not a trans flush? And what about the filter change? Have heard different theories about replace vs. cleaning.

What is the correct method to check the level in the tranny, once it's drained. I hear that proper fluid temp is crucial when checking. (I have the dip stick tool). Any other important info a guy should know before doing this? Don't want to have an in op condition or worse ruin the tranny! Never done a trans fluid change before? I want to verify the locations of the drain plugs, entire procedure.

Is there a DIY link to look at? Written instructions or video?

Thanks all, M

gadgetman7

Is there any info on the specs on how to make your own trans dip stick for the 98 E320?

I was thinking of using the wire off of an electricians snake and marking the high and low marks in it but need the measurements for accurate markings?

olivefoto

I have a 2000 320 awd it is comming up on 26,000 and has laeked at the sending port just above the pan , My engineer friend who works on a lot of cars only reccommends that I change the o-ring and never change or flush the transmission. He insists that all dealers recommend transmission fluid changes but that todays transmissions dont need it. I know my sprinter d iesel with 90k has never been changed and it is fine. And Ive owned several 300d cars that did over 300k and never had a fluid change and they were fine when I sold them. On what are you basing your recommendation that the fluid be changed? Is it just mercedes recommendations, my book says 30k I believe.

ohlord

need it more than the old school transmissions did.

The high failure rate of the 722.6 trans can most often be related to failure to change fluid and filter.
So much so that on the even newer W211 models with the upgraded but same model 722.6 has mb issuing a tsb to change filter and fluid at 38,000 miles.
Older 722.6 will last a lot longer with a filter and fluid change every 38k

diy on www.benzworld.org w210 forum

spend the money on the correct dipstick jury rigged homemade ones are best left to emergency use.

Fill at op temp you can easily do it that way without the need for temp probes.
pre 2000 had a torque converter drain so almost all the fluid can be drained via the drain the tq drain and dropping the pan.

work safe work clean
use mb spec fluid

valvoline max life nag1 mb 722.6
mobil 134
fuchs
mb fluid

don't flush simply because a machine other than the 2 stage type that replaces fluid for fluid under no pressure are hard to locate and the ones that use pressure force dirt into small passages that you don't want in the already small passages of the 722.6 mission innards.

Did I leave anybody out

guapo

I just recently bought a 99 e320 (120,000) and the car fax has no evidence of filter change. the MB dealer told me also that it is oil for life after 30,000. I have no tool to measure. I do notice a hestitation from time to time from shifting from D to R and vise versa.
I did a radiator change (old one leaked) and noticed that the fluid was not bright red like it should.

Dealer will check the fluid hopefully soon and should have an answer.
MB states that if you change the fluid it will do more harm than good.
I am a little confused on this item.

regards

RichardM98

Originally, MB (the factory not the dealers) recommended not changing the fully synthetic transmission fluid. The reasoning was that if the transmission failed it would not be because the fluid had deteriorated. That was in 1998. Now most people think it is prudent to change it at some point. The opinions range from every 30K to never. This is where the dealerships get involved. Some recommend a much shorter service cycle than others. One advantage to changing it (and the filter inside the pan) is that it gives you an opportunity to examine the bottom of the pan for debris. It really comes down to your own risk assessment.

BTW, the color of MB's 722.6 transmission fluid is red when first added but fades to a brown after a few thousand miles.

Hesitation during shifting can be a sign of transmission damage but also part of the car's 'drive by wire' system. If you are concerned, have the dealer check the adaptation values and any error codes stored for the transmission.

The CarFax rarely includes service information. If the car was maintained at a dealership, ask to check the Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI). It may show if it's been done; but it may have been done but not logged into the system.