Transmission Swap
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2003 e320
Transmission Swap
Folks need your help if I can do this or not with minor or no modification. I have 2003 w211 e320 . It has 722.6 ( 722.618) transmission which now has 190K miles on it. I was surfing ebay when I found this clk 2005 722.618 transmission for sale which has just 49K miles. As my transmission is getting old and hard to find with low mileage for 2003. do you think I can use 2005 clk 320 , 722.6 transmission. I did some research looks like it is exactly the same. Will appreciate your input.
Note: presently no issue with transmission or engine. I love my car and want to keep a standby transmission just in case.
Note: presently no issue with transmission or engine. I love my car and want to keep a standby transmission just in case.
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From: VA
THE C350
From my understanding the .618 is the exact type of the transmission so if it matches it should work perfect. That said one thing you could do is get your vin number and the clk's vin number and see if the PN's match up with epc.
Hopefully someone who knows more than i do will be able to help out.
Have you done services on your transmission? my 722.6 in my c320 was great at 215k.
Hopefully someone who knows more than i do will be able to help out.
Have you done services on your transmission? my 722.6 in my c320 was great at 215k.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
It's an interesting theory, but the question is where do you stop? Do you also stockpile a spare engine also? I think as time goes on, parts get cheaper at the junkyard as they become more plentiful and the demand drops. Plus even used parts like a transmission comes with a warranty, typically short though, 3-6 months maybe. So if it's sitting on the shelf and then you put it in a year or two later and have problems, then there's no warranty. I would resist the temptation and just save your money til you really need it. Dow is up 1.5% today!
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2003 e320
Smartietrey, appreciate for your response got busy in work. You are correct it should take it as long as it is 722.618 . I also checked with some other folks. But no one has tested it. When I check on E bay they have this drop down to check match , it shows mismatch when I pick E320 sedan 2003 but match for non sedan version for CLK 2005 722.618.
I bought the transmission which has just 49 K for 800 dollars. Only issue with my present transmission is it gives some kind of whining sound just like power steering pump with low oil. I did lot of research and found it is bushing which overtime start to sound. it is pump bushing. Here is my plan, will swap with CLK 722.618 transmission and will rebuilt and learn the old one . And might ending up selling the rebuilt one or will keep it.
I do service of transmission my self. You can flush it there are information on this site . Just disconnect return transmission line and start engine once you have 2 quarts stop engine refile with 2 Q then start and stop after 2Q arts. It is a messy process but if you plan it well it is very easy and you can save 100s of dollars. only cost is transmission fluid which is very expensive. 8 Quarts should be enough.
I bought the transmission which has just 49 K for 800 dollars. Only issue with my present transmission is it gives some kind of whining sound just like power steering pump with low oil. I did lot of research and found it is bushing which overtime start to sound. it is pump bushing. Here is my plan, will swap with CLK 722.618 transmission and will rebuilt and learn the old one . And might ending up selling the rebuilt one or will keep it.
I do service of transmission my self. You can flush it there are information on this site . Just disconnect return transmission line and start engine once you have 2 quarts stop engine refile with 2 Q then start and stop after 2Q arts. It is a messy process but if you plan it well it is very easy and you can save 100s of dollars. only cost is transmission fluid which is very expensive. 8 Quarts should be enough.
Last edited by sub786; Apr 1, 2015 at 07:19 PM.
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2003 e320
Hey cetiaplha , I am big fan of DIY . As the time goes by the new cars are less DIY cars . Lot of computer stuff . For every part you need to tell computer please accept the new part for that you need to take to dealer and guess what dealer will be happy to send you big bill. If you can afford another car then it is great. But as I want to save money for my retirement and kids so I prefer DIY car . Plus I enjoy doing DIY things. I think till 2005 MB are DIY but after that the repair is more expensive and dealer dependent.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
What transmission fluid are you using? Is it Shell ATF 134? It's somewhat cheap from a shell distributor. My local one charges around $62 for a case of 12, which works out to a little over $5 a quart.
https://www.shell.us/products-servic...r-locator.html
I don't intend to take my car to the dealer for regular repairs, I have an indy who charges pretty low rates.
https://www.shell.us/products-servic...r-locator.html
I don't intend to take my car to the dealer for regular repairs, I have an indy who charges pretty low rates.
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2003 e320
Cetialpha ... Yes I know ATF 134. I have been using MB genuine fluid. But you are right Shell is lot cheaper. One thing I noted that 134 is semi synthetic as compared to MB fluid which is full synthetic. If I need to use ATF134 then I think I have to reduce flush or refill period from 30K to every 20 K for peace of mind . I might use that one .
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From: VA
THE C350
Well keep us updated should be an interesting project. I have always wanted to take apart a transmission but wouldn't want to do it on my daily driver lol. I also did/do my own services on the 722.6 and now my 722.9 The only issue with either is setting the right level with the .6 you have to get the dipstick and worry about temperature but with the .9 you use a star unit to get temp reading and then just let it drain out.
The Shell 134ATF is the same exact stuff as the MB bottled 236.14 fluid one just calls it semi vs full. It was discussed on hear years ago something about the base oil used and what the manufacture defines as full vs semi. but anyway a 236.14 approved oil is going to be identical in most every way so using the 39K flush interval is fine with either OEM fluid or the Shell 134ATF.
Since you say you like to DIY you should get a star unit makes almost any project possible and is just plain fun to mess with... just don't set off your airbags lol. Best investment i have made as i have saved myself tons of money and also saved a member on here from the dealer putting in a new transmission with less than 10 minutes on star lol.
The Shell 134ATF is the same exact stuff as the MB bottled 236.14 fluid one just calls it semi vs full. It was discussed on hear years ago something about the base oil used and what the manufacture defines as full vs semi. but anyway a 236.14 approved oil is going to be identical in most every way so using the 39K flush interval is fine with either OEM fluid or the Shell 134ATF.
Since you say you like to DIY you should get a star unit makes almost any project possible and is just plain fun to mess with... just don't set off your airbags lol. Best investment i have made as i have saved myself tons of money and also saved a member on here from the dealer putting in a new transmission with less than 10 minutes on star lol.
Last edited by samaritrey; Apr 2, 2015 at 12:53 AM.
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2003 e320
Star dx device is expensive. Will get one day . By the way how you disable the airbags so that while working they do not deploy. Just disconnecting both batteries should disable it ? Unless they have a back capacitor.
I found more information on the conductor plate . 2005 CLK 320 , 722.618 has Conductor plate part number: 140 270 0561 while 2003 E320 , 722.618 has Conductor plate part number: 140 270 1161. I checked on website they are both interchange able . I confirmed at multiple websites.. Will conti my search ...
I found more information on the conductor plate . 2005 CLK 320 , 722.618 has Conductor plate part number: 140 270 0561 while 2003 E320 , 722.618 has Conductor plate part number: 140 270 1161. I checked on website they are both interchange able . I confirmed at multiple websites.. Will conti my search ...
Last edited by sub786; Apr 2, 2015 at 01:48 AM.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
They are around $450-$650 depending on who you get it from. Some member mentioned getting one from Aliexpress, about $350 for a C4 system, but it doesn't include the laptop which is another $100 or so on ebay. There are members on here that sell them too and I think they're on the higher end, but you get support from them, other threads about star systems from China seem to be hit or miss.
Here was the system mentioned:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-...783909054.html
Here was the system mentioned:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-...783909054.html
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From: VA
THE C350
Do you use EPC to look up parts? It is probably the best way to check what PN's are the same from the clk to the e class. strange about the valve body but might be setup differently as the clk could be setup for more sports like while the e class for comfort.
As for the air bags pulling the battery could be helpful but to be honest I pulled the drivers and passenger airbags without pulling the battery just was very careful when i got down to the connectors. Obviously though you might end up with srs lights if you are not careful but hey thats what star is for lol
As for star units while they are hit or miss most now seem to be fine and if you have a laptop that is even somewhat new/decent you should be fine as you can run star in a VM. I use my T420s with an i7 and 8gb of ram and put the VM on a dedicated SSD and it runs amazingly.
As for the air bags pulling the battery could be helpful but to be honest I pulled the drivers and passenger airbags without pulling the battery just was very careful when i got down to the connectors. Obviously though you might end up with srs lights if you are not careful but hey thats what star is for lol
As for star units while they are hit or miss most now seem to be fine and if you have a laptop that is even somewhat new/decent you should be fine as you can run star in a VM. I use my T420s with an i7 and 8gb of ram and put the VM on a dedicated SSD and it runs amazingly.
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2003 e320
Looks like i definitely need this star device. I checked with some more mechanics and sellers and they are voicing same that is, as long as it is 722.618 it should fit. I already bought CLK 2005 320 transmission which is almost new at 49K miles. Last night I opened pan and valve body along with conductor plate. It did not look clean . May be the owner was under impression of sealed for life lol. But looked in very good condition. I have two options either clean the conductor plate with cleaner ( used for cleaning electric component ) or change with with new ( which a bought last year just in case). My engine rare oil seal is leaking so I need to drop the transmission and will swap it with clk one. But need to clean it . it came with TC which is also looks like in good condition. I checked the input rod . No in and out play. I guess side play is normal for the inner input . I read dropping the transmission is the most difficult part. To access flex to tc bolts I need to remove the starter .. Yakeee . And then remove transmission to engine bolts . Once drop then I need to change rare crank seal which i already bought from MB. Then will swap the transmission. .... This will be big project for me. Hope I do not need star device for this.
Last edited by sub786; Apr 2, 2015 at 05:57 PM.
