Taylor-Made'90

I'm wanting to flush my trans and simply need to know what type of tranny fluid I need? I'm trying NOT to go to the Stealership (unless that's just where I gotta go, to buy the oil).

I know somma you have replaced all of your fluids, so I asking for some guidance...

Help needed.....

tashakes

I went to the dealer to buy the fluid, I was not going to screw with a $5,000 transmission to save $10 bucks, even if I could find it. I took the oil and filter to an independent and for $110 they changed it for me. Its not something you can do yourself, as there is equipment needed that a shadetree mechanic just does not have.

All in all, I should just have them done the whole thing, as the oil and filter cost around $120 or so, and they would have charged me $250 for the whole thing.

dvmak

What equipment can there possibly be? Drop the pan, change filter ... add fluid ...

Please correct me if I'm wrong ...

tashakes

I know it sounds simple enough, but my mechanic of 20 years could not do it. No reason for him to turn away business, I dont remember exactly why, but I had to go to the independent to have it done.

Clinton Horn

The newer 5 speed automatics (don't know about the 7 speeds) do not have a drain plug in the torque converter, (the big donut shaped part of the tranny). About 1/2 of the fluid is trapped in this area and will not drain out, it has to be evacuated with expensive equipment. There is nothing wrong with dropping the pan, replacing the filter and adding oil. Several things:
1. You need the correct M-B fluid. I purchased some mail order at $16/ quart.
2. You need to accurately measure what came out (fluid) and replace that much (only). Assuming ther tranny did not leak.
3. You need a disposable tell - tale that seals the dipstick to the tube. They are cheap ($0.99) but you can't get them at the local Ace

I have plans to do exactly what you are contemplating. Just be careful and don't over fill.


PS I think the tranny holds a lot of fluid. In excess of 9 quarts?
You would need about 1/2 of that amount to do a home flush.

I purchased a dipstick to assist me in the operation but of course, I need a benchmark fluid level to determine when I have added enough.

Good Luck

gnma

Take a look at the W211 AMG forum. The performance folks over there do all sorts of maint DIY. I enjoy reading that forum. The only thing I"m not familar with is if the AMG has the same tranny as our 211's....If yes, then hopefully you can find your info. there.

mbz4810

you get a pretty good price at HoyFox mercedes benz in your backyard. just call their parts and ask for internet pricing and the guys over there will help you out.
Draining is no problem, you can even use a fluid extractor to pull out from the dipstick hole, the refill hole with the red lock on it.
as for the refilling ... it's hard to do because per MB spec the tranny temp has to be at a certain temperature (80C) before you can get an accurate measure. so it's best to put EXACTLY the amount taken out provided that your original level is good.

Taylor-Made'90

Well, after reading all the good posts, I'mma call my MB mechanic buddy and get him to help-out. But I'm going to get it flushed between now and the weekend.

lkchris

It's too vague for you to ask this question without identifying which car you have.

If you have the 5-speed transmission, you can do this procedure.

If you have the 7-speed, you can't. Period. Dealer only.

If you have the 7-speed, be sure you get the newly-reformulated fluid.

RLE

The 7-speed does have a torque converter drain plug. According to MB, the fluid should be changed at 40K miles. That's the latest number, at least.

MBNUT1

I am coming up on the 39K flush and given the cost of the fluid and the amount needed for a flush and the complications involved with getting the right amount in I'm going to let the dealer do it. I figure I'm going to end up paying them about $100 in labor. Unless somebody here says that its easy to do it properly yourself.

vettdvr

Not really that difficult to do. I did mine the way I have done for years. Not a big issue, just use the MB spec fluid and filters.

Clinton Horn

I changed tranny filter and fluid on 2003 E320 yesterday. Here is what I needed:
(1) 5 liters of M-B Fluid Labels says Automatic transmission fluid ATF in 5 languages. (hoja 236.10) on the back).
(2) New tranny filter, comes with pan gasket and copper drain plug washer
(3) 4mm and 5 mm hex key
(4) One time use plastic filler cap lock
(5) 6 quart (or better) drain pan.
(6) ramps or jack stands
(7) small funnel and 6 inches of plastic tubing (3/8")
Get the vehicle elevated at least 8"
Remove the aero trays ( 6mm socket?) 8 screws, two trays) I was doing the engine oil as well.
The tranny plug is a 5mm hex (female) bolt. The sump pan is black steel and right behind the engine. My drain plug was locktited in so hard I had to purchase a set of Metric hex sockets to remove it properly. I got exactly 136 oz in my catch pan and about 2-3 oz on the floor.
There are 6 sump pan fasteners (4 mm hex). They use a cast J shape bracket that screws to a boss on the tranny but they pan is supported by a notch in the bracket that fits into the hemmed edge of the pan. Pretty ingenious and prevents crushing the pan gasket , no matter how hard you torque the screws (don't).
I had about 4 oz left in the pan so be careful not to spill it.
Remove the pan, clean the gunk in the bottom(I used mineral spirits). Clean and replace the ladder shaped magnet. I put a dime sized better magnet in as well as mine was very weak)
The filter is friction fit and pulls off easily. New fittment is reverse.
Put the new gasket in place and re- install 6 brackets/ screws. One has a heat sheild to protect a module on the tranny. (front passenger corner I think)
Raise the hood and remove the air filter housing. The transmission filler tube is right (passenger side of engine centerline) near the fire wall. Adjacent to and below the oil filler tube. The target tube says " shop use only" or something similar. There is a small tab that has to be lifted (flat head screwdriver) and broken off. Drive the remaining portion down and out of the cap. The tube cap can be removed. Don't lose the o ring.
Add the same amount of fluid that was drained. Remember the M-B fluid is in LITER bottles. I used the short tubing and funnel to aid in filling. Tube is small and takes a while to conduct the fluid.
Replace the filler cap and install new plastic key.
Cycle the transmission through reverse , neutral, drive, a couple of times and then look below for leaks.
That is about it. Happy Motoring

TMAllison

Post #9 contains the most appropriate info in this thread.

Changing a 722.6 5 spd is easy; drain, fill, carefully measure and adjust level at proper temp. Will need MB's fluid for either the 722.6 or the 722.9 whihc is backward compatible.

Changing a 722.9 7 spd should be left to the dealer. Requires a pump to extract and then pump new fluid "up" through the two way valve in the pan at the drain plug. No dip stick tube. Requires MB 722.9 fluid only.

tswash

How do I get the cap off the transmission tube if the tab has broken off the cap for the transmission filler tube?

Next Day August 1st:
I was able to get the trans tube cap off - u must break the tab and i rotated it and then pulled it off - supposedly once u break the tab u need to buy another from Mercedes.

I tried inserting a tube to "vacuum" out the trans fluid but the transmission tube was to narrow for my plastic tube - I will retry with another plastic tube that I have which is somewhat narrower.

Wilburnter

I know it sounds simple enough, but my mechanic of 20 years could not do it

homeofstone

My dealer charged me 264.00 out the door for the transmission fluid and filter change/flush. Reasonable I think.

Mike_W

I like DIY whenever it make sense - but with materials costing $125+ and the big bucks consequences of making a mistake, $264 at the dealer seems like the way to go.
Mike

solekeeper

which transmission does an 09 e350 have? 7 speed or 5?

Lefix

7 Speed

relinuca

For removal of doubt, the '09 E350 4Matics have 5-speeds; non-4Matics are 7-speeds.

FYI-certain ZF transmissions are critically affected if/when air is introduced to the system during drain/re-fill procedures. Hence, special equipment may be necessary for evacuation and fills. So says the voice of painful experience.

relinuca

solekeeper

thanks lefix and relin! Guess dealer it is..

Any idea how to tell if the dealer actually does the procedure?

homeofstone

Yep, watch it being done.

solekeeper

Lol...^

Nickthegreek

If you have the right tool you can change the fluid in the 7 speed. Instead of a filler tube on top there is a tube that goes up into the pan where the drain plug is. you fill it until fluid drains out of the tube. I just ordered a mity vac evacuator plus that pulls and pushes fluid in. It comes with a special adapter for that application. Paid 180 bucks for it. Gonna use it on my ml350