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So I actually did my research before posting this on here on this site and on other sites which all say that back by the oil dipstick which is in the pictures below (yellow cap) there is a Red Cap with a lock on it for the transmission. I am actually having issues when I get past 5000 RPM and higher when I take my foot off the gas pedal the car doesn't slow down RPMs as quick as it should it stays very high like 5,000 or more and eventually it clicks in and then starts going back down as the car slows down so obviously it's sticking in some of the higher gears when I'm not even giving it any gas from the pedal aka the pedal is just not being touched and it doesn't lower the RPMs as quick as it should. I actually found a cool like 1 oz transmission treatment that's supposed to fix this issue in European cars and German cars and he just pour it down the transmission dipstick. Obviously it's a temporary fix until I can spend a bunch of money to go to the dealership or somewhere and have the transmission flushed and replaced in a new filter put on. I don't have that money right now. My question is after reading everywhere that 2002 is it until 2009 these vehicles have that dipstick next to the oil dipstick how come my car doesn't have that? Yeah I've included pictures so you can see both sides in back of the engine there is just no dipstick only the oil dipstick so where can I access a place to add this transmission fix fluid since I can't find the actual dipstick and why does my car not have one when all cars made between 2002 and 2009 are supposed to have one right or am I just reading everything wrong on these forums and others?
Last edited by drtechnology; 11-13-2023 at 03:34 PM.
Reason: Spell3
From my understanding, if you have the RWD car, which used a newer 7 speed transmission, there was no tranny dip stick!!. If you have a 4Matic car, which used an older 5 speed tranny, there might be a tranny dip stick (I dont have this car so dont know). My older W202 used this same 5 speed tranny and had a dip stick like you described.
make sure if u flush the tranny oil, the torque converter oil also drained. some shops got lazy and didn't drain the torque converter, they told me they did
If it's the 5 speed, the connector wicks up transmission fluid causing those weird shifts. Replace the connector and don't add any miracle in a bottle to the car. Probably making it worse by contaminating the fluid. You can use Shell ATF 134 from a Shell distributor and it's about $80 for a case of 12 quarts. Lots of places like FCPEuro and Rockauto sell the transmission filter.
If it's the 5 speed, the connector wicks up transmission fluid causing those weird shifts. Replace the connector and don't add any miracle in a bottle to the car. Probably making it worse by contaminating the fluid. You can use Shell ATF 134 from a Shell distributor and it's about $80 for a case of 12 quarts. Lots of places like FCPEuro and Rockauto sell the transmission filter.
Here is the vin how can I tell what engine I have? (5 or 7 speed transmission right?)
Thanks - and so if 5 speed this should fix it I can forego doing a tranny flush - even tho is 17 yrs I thought you should as preventative mtce change filter and add new fluid every 100k miles or something? I am 155k miles
Here is the vin how can I tell what engine I have? (5 or 7 speed transmission right?)
Thanks - and so if 5 speed this should fix it I can forego doing a tranny flush - even tho is 17 yrs I thought you should as preventative mtce change filter and add new fluid every 100k miles or something? I am 155k miles
You have the 7 speed transmission so no connector. You're supposed to change the fluid every 39k miles though, not every 100k so it's probably long overdue. Might fix it after changing the fluid, otherwise it's probably the conductor plate. You can also try the transmission reset procedure.
Also I hope your balance shaft is ok, you're in range for the problem but if you don't have any engine codes, who knows when/if it will go. Many threads on here about the balance shaft.
You have the 7 speed transmission so no connector. You're supposed to change the fluid every 39k miles though, not every 100k so it's probably long overdue. Might fix it after changing the fluid, otherwise it's probably the conductor plate. You can also try the transmission reset procedure.
Also I hope your balance shaft is ok, you're in range for the problem but if you don't have any engine codes, who knows when/if it will go. Many threads on here about the balance shaft.
yea in another thread on here (one on esp issues I posted about) I have an obdII thing that bluetooths to my phone and has p0016 and p0017 error codes. Was advised to get another one that may read more codes than the one I have (to show esp code from obdII vs just on dash like now) - so going to try that
follow this link to buy Amsoil stuff for your car. You'll want 7 liters of the OE ATF for very little money, which is cheaper than Pentosin/Liquimoly. Engine oil if you haven't done it yet.
I just need the car on jackstands or at an oil change place and you can borrow their time. Drain, remove the transmission pan, replace the gasket, clean the magnets. You can pay anybody for this.
Close up with new bolts, gasket. Fill it through the same port until it drains, run it til its hot, shift through the gears one at a time for 3 seconds. There are more complicated detailed ways to do each step, and it won't make a difference I've been doing this daily. Fill it 2 more times while it's running a half liter at a time to "rinse" the old transmission til you use the 2 last liters.
Total cost of parts should be less than an oil change. Make sure you get the Mann or Hengst oil filter.
Dealer wants $800 for a transmission oil change, you just need to bring a box of stuff to a Mercedes specialist and show him this forum post. If you want to support the forum, that link contributes towards my personal business which supports the forum.
follow this link to buy Amsoil stuff for your car. You'll want 7 liters of the OE ATF for very little money, which is cheaper than Pentosin/Liquimoly. Engine oil if you haven't done it yet.
I just need the car on jackstands or at an oil change place and you can borrow their time. Drain, remove the transmission pan, replace the gasket, clean the magnets. You can pay anybody for this.
Close up with new bolts, gasket. Fill it through the same port until it drains, run it til its hot, shift through the gears one at a time for 3 seconds. There are more complicated detailed ways to do each step, and it won't make a difference I've been doing this daily. Fill it 2 more times while it's running a half liter at a time to "rinse" the old transmission til you use the 2 last liters.
Total cost of parts should be less than an oil change. Make sure you get the Mann or Hengst oil filter.
Dealer wants $800 for a transmission oil change, you just need to bring a box of stuff to a Mercedes specialist and show him this forum post. If you want to support the forum, that link contributes towards my personal business which supports the forum.
Thanks - I am not good at under-the-car stuff - I will find a Mercedes mechanic who can charge "labor only" if I bring all the parts! Once I get ready to buy everything I will use your links :-) Yes, Mercedes quoted me $750! Yeowch! That is why was going to try this supplement but alas, no dipstick could not use it if I tried lol. Your way sounds way better glad it is semi-easy to do.
Thanks - I am not good at under-the-car stuff - I will find a Mercedes mechanic who can charge "labor only" if I bring all the parts! Once I get ready to buy everything I will use your links :-) Yes, Mercedes quoted me $750! Yeowch! That is why was going to try this supplement but alas, no dipstick could not use it if I tried lol. Your way sounds way better glad it is semi-easy to do.
You can get a case of Shell ATF 134 from a Shell distributor, last time I asked, it was around $80 for a case of 12 quarts which will probably be cheaper than Amsoil. It's MB 236.14 and it's on the approved list but Amsoil doesn't like to get their fluids on the approved list. Some also like to use Valvoline Maxlife too which is a one fluid fits all where it can be used for ATF 134 and ATF 134 FE which are two different specs and if you read the spec sheets for the fluids, they tell you not to mix the two but somehow Maxlife meets both. Still people use it and their transmission hasn't blow up. Interestingly, Valvoline does have a fluid on the approved list, but you never see it on the shelves.
Thanks - I am not good at under-the-car stuff - I will find a Mercedes mechanic who can charge "labor only" if I bring all the parts! Once I get ready to buy everything I will use your links :-) Yes, Mercedes quoted me $750! Yeowch! That is why was going to try this supplement but alas, no dipstick could not use it if I tried lol. Your way sounds way better glad it is semi-easy to do.
make sure you do the extra 2L fill, rinse and drain step. if your system is particularly dirty, do it again in a year since the filter can only trap so much
make sure you do the extra 2L fill, rinse and drain step. if your system is particularly dirty, do it again in a year since the filter can only trap so much
tell your girlfriend that you would like a Service Jack and a couple of jack stands from Harbor Freight for Christmas 🤶
11-13-2023, 03:29 PM
