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I drained my oil, for my option a89 722.9 transmission. It had no hint of blue. It was reddish black..... I cursed the PO because he put in wrong transmission oil, and possibly ruined it for me. The car shudders at shift points and shudders at certain speed/rpm. I have noted it always doing this at 60km/h and 1500rpm, but I digress.
i drain it all, and start pumping in new 236.15 spec oil, as my vehicle is 2012, has the new style pan and a green overflow pipe. I "broke in" at the oil return connection from the cooler, attached a hose and started the car a couple times while pumping new fluid in, to flush as much out as I could. As I was preparing to finish filling, I decided to try out the new to me xentry to get the temp (used iCarsoft prior on ML).
what do you know, there is an option for oil check, but wait! Here is what appears when I go into it:
236.14?! Wtf!
Now I start thinking xentry knows what it is talking about, that must be why there was red stuff in there! Maybe the tranny was changed at some point with an older version? But the pan, the green overflow... Anyway I spent a good hour, finding WIS document confirming the pan shape and green overflow pipe as indicators of type of fluid it takes. That was not enough to me, I ended up looking up my serial number, comparing it to said document to confirm that it is waay above the cutoff for the old fluid. Then I looked up the serial with my vin to confirm my tranny is native to the car. It is. With even slightest doubts removed I finished the job.
Now I don't even know if I can be mad at the PO even. Maybe he took it to an indy or even Benz dealership and xentry told them to pump it up with .14 spec. It wasn't even flushed, it was a mix of the two oils I think. Like it had its not dark brown like it was in the ML, it is almost black.
Anyway, it didn't solve my problem 100% but the shuddering is less pronounced now. I am hoping it is just torque converter and not whole tranny at this point. Maybe I will try another flush because at the end of mine the fluid wasn't light blue like it was going in, but blue at least. I found some adaptations for torque converter in xentry which I will try to relearn but my hopes are low.
So there you have it, use multiple sources even if one of them is Mercedes!
Rant off
There, you got me second guessing myself yet again. According to the vin decoder it is 7g. I thought it would be 7g+ after 2010. I have seen that in that vin decoder while shopping for x164 2012, mine does not say it. Though the decoder is not always 100% accurate I hear.
I have a 2011 GL 350 - it for sure calls for the newer blue fluid which is lower friction (hence better mileage) than the red stuff. I think I recall the factory fill may actually have been the red stuff - I had the same experience you did the first time I changed it at 40k miles, what was in there at 40k had no hint of blue. It may be that Mercedes switched fluids during the lifespan of the transmission? Also as I'm sure you noticed the transfer case still calls for the older red ATF134. At my 80k change the fluid was definitely more blue looking...
Interesting! Even x164? makes me want to try and find it in xentry just to try lol. Though I think most people hate it?
Originally Posted by ddruker
I have a 2011 GL 350 - it for sure calls for the newer blue fluid which is lower friction (hence better mileage) than the red stuff. I think I recall the factory fill may actually have been the red stuff - I had the same experience you did the first time I changed it at 40k miles, what was in there at 40k had no hint of blue. It may be that Mercedes switched fluids during the lifespan of the transmission? Also as I'm sure you noticed the transfer case still calls for the older red ATF134. At my 80k change the fluid was definitely more blue looking...
Maybe, makes me question MB logic... they do say that the two are incompatible now. If they pumped out these trannies with old spec oil though, they were setting them up for failure then. Or maybe just blue stuff is not backwards compatible but red is not that bad...
Thanks for pointing out TC oil spec by the way. I did note it this time, and I got the correct spec for the diffs as well. The first time with the ML which has .14 spec, I almost put the red stuff in the diffs too. The only thing that prevented that is my laziness and never getting around to it. I distinctly remember wishing I had bought more ATF134 for them. Idiot. The GL is a dream car so I'm a lot more careful, at least so far.
Out of curiosity, did you get a special bit for the TC when you did yours? I found that my #8 Hex was too long to fit between the case and the cat. Was not a problem on ML. Ended up buying a spare and cutting it down...
i'm in the same position as you Misha, not sure what color ATF oil i should buy, BLUE OR RED.. My Xentry is calling for the RED Stuff but i have a 2011 GL550 With Code A89 which should get blue.
. i think i will just drain the fluid and see what color comes out and replace with the same.
The problem I've run into is finding a correct VIN decoder. I've checked 2 VIN decoders posted on MBworld and I've had 2 different descriptions.
427 - AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC
427 - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
I hate to best this topic up, but which fluid is appropriate?
Does your datacard have option A89? If it does, you need the blue fluid and a green fill tube. Not sure if the filter or gasket are also specific for the 7G tronic plus transmission or not.
I've read about a million pages on how to distinguish between the 7G and 7G plus units, but still don't have a solid method. I have a 2010 550, assembled in March 2010. My data card does not indicate A89 option and does not have the plus designation for the tranny.
I have the following codes/options
G904 TRANSMISSION CODE VERSION 04
GA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
My transmission serial number is 722904 02 619533. 904 indicates the version of the transmission. I am not 100% sure, but I think that different versions are found in different MB models. For example, the 904 version may not be fitted in the C or E class but it might be in the S class. The 903 version is a Plus, but the 902 version is not (both fitted in the E class if memory does not fail me). So using the sequential transmission version numbers is not a good way to determine if a transmission is a Plus or not. That is, until a certain point where they were not making the 7G anymore and only the Plus. I don't know which version that would have been.
Another way to find out if you have the 7G plus transmission is your vehicle's assembly date from the sticker on the driver side B-pillar, or the data card, although this method could be a bit of a challenge if your vehicle was assembled in June 2010. IIRC the transmission switch happened on 10 June 2010. If your assembly date is prior to June 2010, you have the 7G transmission. If it it after, you should have the 7G plus version. If the assembly date were in June, you should fall back on the former method.
I had come across serial number ranges to indicate the change, but I can't seem to find them online now that I am looking for them again. That is the most robust method, in my opinion. The alternative is to contact a dealer and ask, but I think they will go by the option code A89 to determine the type.
WIS gives the correct fluid specification for a VIN. There is a ton of documentation available on this site and the internet for technical details on the 7G. Search/google is the way to find it.
If still in doubt about the fluid, visit the dealer and buy fluid there. Or have them do the drain and refill.
Does your datacard have option A89? If it does, you need the blue fluid and a green fill tube. Not sure if the filter or gasket are also specific for the 7G tronic plus transmission or not.
I've read about a million pages on how to distinguish between the 7G and 7G plus units, but still don't have a solid method. I have a 2010 550, assembled in March 2010. My data card does not indicate A89 option and does not have the plus designation for the tranny.
I have the following codes/options
G904 TRANSMISSION CODE VERSION 04
GA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
My transmission serial number is 722904 02 619533. 904 indicates the version of the transmission. I am not 100% sure, but I think that different versions are found in different MB models. For example, the 904 version may not be fitted in the C or E class but it might be in the S class. The 903 version is a Plus, but the 902 version is not (both fitted in the E class if memory does not fail me). So using the sequential transmission version numbers is not a good way to determine if a transmission is a Plus or not. That is, until a certain point where they were not making the 7G anymore and only the Plus. I don't know which version that would have been.
Another way to find out if you have the 7G plus transmission is your vehicle's assembly date from the sticker on the driver side B-pillar, or the data card, although this method could be a bit of a challenge if your vehicle was assembled in June 2010. IIRC the transmission switch happened on 10 June 2010. If your assembly date is prior to June 2010, you have the 7G transmission. If it it after, you should have the 7G plus version. If the assembly date were in June, you should fall back on the former method.
I had come across serial number ranges to indicate the change, but I can't seem to find them online now that I am looking for them again. That is the most robust method, in my opinion. The alternative is to contact a dealer and ask, but I think they will go by the option code A89 to determine the type.
Thank you for the insight. Solid information.
I too have the following codes.
G904- TRANSMISSION CODE VERSION 04A05- TRANSMISSION ALL-WHEEL CAPABLE
i'm in the same position as you Misha, not sure what color ATF oil i should buy, BLUE OR RED.. My Xentry is calling for the RED Stuff but i have a 2011 GL550 With Code A89 which should get blue.
. i think i will just drain the fluid and see what color comes out and replace with the same.
Hi WaveyKat, and Yup. Im kind of relieved i am not the only one that got confused, but sorry you guys have to be confused as well.
there are some good suggestions in the comments. What made me sure of the fluid was a message in WIS or in Xentry. I think it was in WIS under one of the notes for tranny fluid instructions. It stated that transmissions starting with a given serial number must use the fluid that is blue. I found the serial number on the transmission - on driver side and compared it. That gave me peace of mind.
Hi WaveyKat, and Yup. Im kind of relieved i am not the only one that got confused, but sorry you guys have to be confused as well.
there are some good suggestions in the comments. What made me sure of the fluid was a message in WIS or in Xentry. I think it was in WIS under one of the notes for tranny fluid instructions. It stated that transmissions starting with a given serial number must use the fluid that is blue. I found the serial number on the transmission - on driver side and compared it. That gave me peace of mind.
Hope that helps!
So, you are saying that if you have that Code A89... and you drain your fluid and if comes out RED, you must Replace with the NEW Blue Fluid...
another issue i have now is my Drain plug is stuck and Stripped also my pan is Rusting. so i will be replacing the pan as well.
from that post: 722.9 serial number up to 2834526 use 236.14 spec. red fluid, white tubed pan 722.9 serial number as of 2834527 use 236.15 spec. blue fluid, green tubed pan
To use my transmission as an example, my serial number is below serial number 02 834526. I am a red fluid (ATF 134) candidate.
So, you are saying that if you have that Code A89... and you drain your fluid and if comes out RED, you must Replace with the NEW Blue Fluid...
another issue i have now is my Drain plug is stuck and Stripped also my pan is Rusting. so i will be replacing the pan as well.
Assuming that you have red fluid in a low friction transmission, there are a couple of possibilities:
a) transmission was not serviced properly with the correct fluid, if it was serviced at all
b) transmission was filled with ATF 134 spec 236.14 fluid from the factory.
I have been trying to determine the initial 236.15 specs release date, but unable to find a BEVO revision history. There is a possibility that some early low friction transmissions (code A89) may have been filled with 236.14 spec fluid from the factory. I find that unlikely, but possible (anything is possible; MB can make mistakes just like any other auto manufacturer and correct them at a later date). If the latter were true, I would not be surprised if dealers were just replacing fluid with same spec when servicing these early transmissions.
I think the chances of you seeing the colour of the original fluid when you drain the ATF are low. How many miles since your last transmission service?
It would likely be dark brown or black, unless the fluid was changed recently and it has not had time to turn colours. If you are not certain of which fluid you have in the vehicle, call your dealer to find out if the transmission was serviced and ask which fluid was used, if the service was performed.
The old oil pan design was used till 18 June 2010 (Friday), replaced by new design on 21 June 2010 (Monday). These dates are in conflict with what I'd seen about the transmission change on/after 10 June 2010. Maybe the pan change and transmission change are not related, although the dates are awfully close. This, of course, presuming that 10 June 2010 is accurate. I have slight doubts now.
In any case, the pans are not necessarily a good way to identify a transmission, since they may have been replaced either correctly or incorrectly for whatever reason.
So today I drop the pan, the oil that came out was NOT BLUE doesn't even have a hint of blue hue! its was A DARK BROWN with a Slight Red HUE see attached Pictures
i also drain the TC.. but I do have the Updated Pan & Green Fill Tube.
so now what do I refill with RED or Refill with NEW BLUE Fluid???
My 2011 GL550 Does Have the Code A89..
So today I drop the pan, the oil that came out was NOT BLUE doesn't even have a hint of blue hue! its was A DARK BROWN with a Slight Red HUE see attached Pictures
i also drain the TC.. but I do have the Updated Pan & Green Fill Tube.
so now what do I refill with RED or Refill with NEW BLUE Fluid???
My 2011 GL550 Does Have the Code A89..
Did you call your dealer to see if the transmission service was performed? They should have records of the fluid used if they have the service records. It would be good to know when the service was performed too. There's a chance subsequent servies were done too, but maybe not by dealer. How long have you had the car? How many owners before you?
If the dealer has no records, I can't tell you which fluid to use, but if it were my car I'd flush the tranny and use blue fluid. All indications point to blue fluid: code A89, green tube and updated pan version. You're assuming the risk of implementing what I'd do if I were in your shoes.
Chances are red fluid was used incorrectly. I've read that you could possibly use red fluid in A89 low friction transmisson, but not use blue fluid in the previous NAG2 transmission (w/o code A89).
Edit: spelling corrections and one more question: What is your transmission serial number?
sorry for the delayed replied but, speaking with a dealer is like talking to brick wall in my area. so I Drained the Pan & TC. waiting on the 134FE Blue Oil to come in I ordered 15L. so I can Flush the System to get rid of the REDISH/BROWN Oil. then fill with the New Blue Oil.
sorry for the delayed replied but, speaking with a dealer is like talking to brick wall in my area. so I Drained the Pan & TC. waiting on the 134FE Blue Oil to come in I ordered 15L. so I can Flush the System to get rid of the REDISH/BROWN Oil. then fill with the New Blue Oil.
nice, i think it is the right thing to do.
By the way, i did not update here. My shudders are gone. They were gone after about a week of driving after fluid change. Probably just needed to get old crap out of all nooks and crannies in there. That is why i am planning another flush shortly.
As far as dealer goes, i have been going to dealership for a few parts on short notice while rebuilding heads. I found that the parts guys are knowledgeable and open to give a bit of advice. I think the parts guys are either mechanics or work alongside them. Talking to one of those "service managers" that schedules you in, certainly is useless though. They are just clerks i guess?
Finally Completed the Flush. it was a pretty simple job. as long as you know which fluid you have. I rigged up a garden Sprayer as my fluid transfer and it worked flawless not a dropped wasted
I remove the Return line added a PVC tube, so the new Blue Fluid will Push the OLD RED Fluid Out
I first Pumped in 5L Start the Car then let the 4L Out then Pumped in 9L start the car. using my STAR DAS monitor the Transmission Temp to 45C removed the fill tube let it drain a bit then added the drain plug and the job was completed.
Hey all, I came across my VMI. Thought I'd share some further information inference to the 2010 models. The following photos may help with others confused about the 2010 fluid selection. Hope this helps. What I found was the transmission service was performed at 74xxx miles. I'm wondering what fluid was used.
12-30-2020, 02:04 AM
