This came from my "training CD". Any truth to a seal on the filler? I want to change the tranny fluid (at home) and the stuff is coming from Autohaus. Is the filler tube beneathe the air cleaner housing (E320)?




Different ATE is required for automatic transmission 722.6 (see Specifications for Service Products).
The ATF need never be changed, i.e. it is a lifetime fill.
The cap on the oil fill tube is secured with a tamperproof seal.
No oil dipstick is installed to check the ATF level.
An oil dipstick is available as Special Tool.
An oil condition counter is incorporated into the transmission control module.

Note:
The checking or correcting of the oil level should be performed at authorized MB dealers only.
Using the HHT (Hand-Held Tester) at the data link connector (DTC readout), the oil condition counter can be read and reset if desired. This is a measure for determining oil aging.

 

The cap to the transmission oil fill on my E500 was at the firewall below the air intake (under the distributor if it had one). Very close to the top of the bell housing. Caution the engine oil dipstick tube is there also don't get confused. There is a black cap on top that has no easy to read markings. The black cap part # is 140 270 00 01 and there is a 1 time use locking pin that will break when you remove it,, part #140 991 00 55. I would reco you buy the locking pin.

To remove the lock pin the top will break off, then you can push the pin down into the cap which will release the lock pin and allow the cap to be removed. Look up the part #'s for photos and you will see the lock pin design. Also I used ONLY MB fluids from the dealer or supplier that has MB fluids. I think autohause has this fluid,,dont' remember.

This is an easy job and hard to mess up. Just follow the manual to replace the new gasket and filter. Don't forget to reinstall the magnet.

I did not remove the drain plug didn't have the correct hex at the time,, just removed the pan.

The total job should take about 2 hrs including jacking.

You will also need the "tool" to check the transmission fluid level on refill.

I have seen them on ebay for as low as $20.00. I did not do a flush but only drain and refill as I have done for the last 35 years on all my auto transmissions. I always figured changing 1/2 the fluid was better than no change at all. Besides you can always pull the drain plug and refill w/o pulling the pan or filter for a quick change later.

 

Not to discourage a fellow do-it-yourselfer since i was going to do the same, but once i priced all the parts and fluids needed, it was only $10 cheaper than the full price the dealer charges, and the dealer is flushing %100 of the fluid...

 

First, thanks for the information.
I have about $85 in the parts so far and that will probably approach $135 + as I may need additional oil (and now a cap). I bought 5 liters of M-B OE oil and a tranny filter / gasket. Can anyone tell me the amount required for a driveway change (as opposed to an exchange)? The manual states 7.5 liters but I have no idea if that is drain / refill or total capicity.

I agree that an exchange would be better. Frankly, I would be floored if the dealer accepted anything south of $250 for the work. Since I will need a part (filler cap) from them anyway, I might as well ask. Frankly, I avoid service writers as much as possible as I cannot stand people that insult my intelligence. Nevertheless the one encounter I had with the local dealer went well.

May I assume that the drain plug is a metric female hex that requires an allen type wrench? The thought of wrestling a gallon plus of fluid sloshing over the top of the pan is not very attractive.

I would invest the money in a dipstick if I can find one. If not, I will probably fashion one from copper wire and try it out before I empty the pan so that I have a reference point. Necessity is the mother of invention.

I do not have any issues with the tranny (2003 E320 with 29,000) . I am hoping that a little preventative maintenance will produce a dividend later down the line. Maybe changing the filter will remove any latent casting trash and or other contaminents. The last filter I replaced (non M-B) had media the size of hardware cloth. I guess it would catch the larger chunks of a converter explosion. I like the car and unless it produces a lot of symptoms that have been well documented here, I intend to keep it for a while or until my wife wrecks it.

 

i found my list the parts totaled $187 including 8 quarts of tranny fluid at $18.99 a quart (liquid gold?), dealer runs a special for $199 for the service

 

I used a very large pan and collect all of the fluid. Then I carefully measured exactly how much I drained out and it was 4 qts for our E500 2003. I added exactly 4 qts and it was in the safe range on the dip stick. I can not caution enough to make sure you don't confuse the oil dipstick with the transmission dipstick. Find where it enters on the transmission and follow it up to the fill point to confirm you have the correct fill tube.

For the dealer doing the flush for less than $150? I don't know how,, if the total capacity is 8 qts at $20/qt the fluid alone will be $160,, + filter / gasket at about $35 = close to $200 for materials they will charge. My dealer charges $100+/hr for labor and this would be charged as min of 2 hrs so my charge would be $350+ for this fluid change. So if you can get all of this for $250,, then let them do it if that is your preference.

Best of luck

 

I have looked everywhere for a reasonable price on the shop dipstick. They range from $60 to $79 and to add insult to injury, there is a different one for the engine vs tranny. I expect to get flamed for being a cheapskate but from what I can tell, the thing is a coil spring with a plastic handle on one end and a small plastic measuring stick on the other. $20-30? in a heartbeat but close to a $100 with shipping? I'll take my chances. I did some research and the fluid level varies a lot with temp. I saw 3/8" to 3/4" (from the bottom of the pan) when cold to 2-3/8" - 2-3/4" when warm (80 C). If that is accurate, I am on my way with or without the shop tool. It would be great if folks on the board could share specialty tools but I know it is a pipe dream.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I will definitely record what comes out and add a few oz. to cover loss from the filter. My research from comments posted here indicates that about 1/2 of the fluid stays internal. Too bad M-B eliminated the converter drain plug.

 

If you use a clear tube from the hardware store small enough to fit the tube you could insert it before you drain,, record the level then refil to that level. You are right the tool is a coil essentially a long spring with plastic measure stick on one end.

 

I felt like a dipstick when I found this after complaining about O/E price. I am going to get one and hope the tip does not fall off. They also have the oil dipstick for $29.00. Works on 112 and 113 motors






http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=002

 

trans fluid diy on w210 diy section or mercedesshop.com
Quality dipstick $40 with trans diy tips from me delivered.
To the member above that is looking to do it at 30k miles wait till 50k
to any member that wants to make their own tool please make sure you get it right being off is death to the 722.6 latest word from mb is to be at the upper most line at 80C not beyond it.This is for best shift quality and foam prevention,so if you make your own dipstick how will you know the proper line?
What if your transmission that you use to calibrate the tool is low on fluid?
autohausaz.com has the proper mb spec fluid for $15qt.
do not use anything else.

Just be happy you don't have the newer trans with no dipstick spout at allThe dealer has you on that one cuz it can only be filled with a special pump through the vent tube on the pan.