Nickthegreek

Hi,

I have an '03 E320 w/o 4matic and it has 137000 miles. I wanted to change the tranny fluid because I went by the sealedfor life statement and now the dealership told me every 40000 miles. I bought a dipstick and some fluid. When I dropped the pan the fluid was brown and the new fluid was red. So I have burnt fluid with brand new fluid and I'd rather flush it, but the tranny fluid is $30 a quart I read somewhere that the torque converter should have a drain plug but I couldnt find one. Anyone know if the drain plug is on the older trannies?

edwinwalke

MB quit putting drain plugs in the Torque converter during MY99. Your can do a flush which is documented in the DIY stickys or just drain the pan and remove it and change out the filter and then refill. You will need a MB tranmission dipstick and of course the MB Spec 236.14 transmission fluid. Try Ryder Fleet for the fluid -- $5.38 per quart -- it is approved by MB for use in the 722.6 transmission. Running it in my 06 E320 CDI and it is great. Here is the link to their website: http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ry...oductDetail.do

Here is the link to the MB Operating Fluids Extranet showing the approval for the Shell ATF134: http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevoli...rk=mb%20236.14

Attached is a DIY instruction.

Good luck.

Plutoe

Quote So I have burnt fluid with brand new fluid and I'd rather flush it,Unquote----Don't wet your pants, brown fluid does not indicate "BURNT," burnt is when you put some on your finger and take a wiff------does it smell BURNT or otherwise.

If it is now full------leave it alone and go over to Pittsford for a fish dinner. Good Luck

vettdvr

Send a sample to blackstone labs for a analysis of the oil if you are worried.

For years I have change only pan oil when there was no converter plug and never had an issue. My corvette doesn't have a plug either but I change the pan oil every 30,000 miles and have no issues.

My MB got a pan only change now at 121000+ it is still going.

DO change the filter and clean the magnet.

edwinwalke

Is Pittsfords in Rochester? They have good fish dinners??

Plutoe

Nope-----Pittsford is a Erie Canal town and a suburb of Rochester NY. The great fish joint is/was called "The Coal Tower"

I only remember that because a long time ago I lived in Fairport, another Erie Canal Town and also a suburb of Rochester, NY

edwinwalke

Thanks, Next time I go to Rochester I'll see if they are still in business.

RednecksFantasy

Question are they all suppose to have a magnet? I just done a trans filter & fluid change ('01 E320), it did not have one in the pan.

NewShockerGuy

Wonder why they did away with the torque converter drain bolt? My 09' has it. But we also have the 7 speed transmission.

I changed out the pan to the newer design one and also drained roughly 8-9 qts. Filled the system back up and brought it up to temp, then drained until it dripped out once the desired temp was reached in STAR.

There are a couple how to threads that greatly helped me. Not as scary as some make it out to be and definitely a DIY if you are comfortable changing things.
I changed my fluid at around 60k. I doubt the previous owner did anything as my fluid was brown but not burnt. Shifts were improved and much smoother now.
I also did the rear diff fluid as well since I had the car on my lift.

-Nigel

ot1

yes suppose to have a round magnet

I flush the converter by draining the pan, dropping the pan and changing the filter, filling the pan with 6 quarts, disconnecting the tranny return line at the radiator trans cooler, make sure you get the correct line since there are two (cooler in and cooler out) you want the out of course, clamp a short piece of tubing, draining into a one gallon water jug, turning the engine on for ONLY 15 seconds, while shifting through gears. Add another quart, run engine 15 seconds, repeat until bright red fluid is coming out. Use the dip stick to adjust proper fluid level. I always buy two extra quarts and purchase Ravenol from Blauparts in Wisconsin

tjts1

Same reason they did away with the engine oil dip stick: STUPIDITY

BenzNinja

iTrader: (4)

A word you know very well

tjts1

Are you still butthurt?

BenzNinja

iTrader: (4)

oh no, never got more members signing up in such a short period
but I never forget