GLK-Class (X204) Produced 2008-2014

Torque converter drain NOT recommended

Old May 17, 2025 | 12:26 AM
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Torque converter drain NOT recommended

As much as I see people mention the torque converter drain, I figured I'd try it. It was a regretful choice. There's no way to reliably get to it except with a right angle hex key. I even remove the two E14 (connects to the bell housing) and 13mm hex bolts for the exhaust hanger and it just barely cleared. You can not use the bottom port that is covered by the electric pump. I also droped the new plug INSIDE the bell housing and spent 30 minutes trying to fish it out with various picks and tools. Luckily I ended up getting it out without losing the washer. Also need a big 27mm socket to turn the crank. It made a huge mess.



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Old May 17, 2025 | 04:32 AM
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2013 glk 350
I guess that’s why my mechanic said he could not do it and drained it twice , he had me take it home a few days then bring it back .
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Old May 17, 2025 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
As much as I see people mention the torque converter drain, I figured I'd try it. It was a regretful choice. There's no way to reliably get to it except with a right angle hex key. I even remove the two E14 (connects to the bell housing) and 13mm hex bolts for the exhaust hanger and it just barely cleared. You can not use the bottom port that is covered by the electric pump. I also droped the new plug INSIDE the bell housing and spent 30 minutes trying to fish it out with various picks and tools. Luckily I ended up getting it out without losing the washer. Also need a big 27mm socket to turn the crank. It made a huge mess.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...983187d9c1.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...09d3ef9b93.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...864444a59e.jpg
Do you recommend eventually doing it just not every single time?
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Old May 17, 2025 | 04:03 PM
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I would only do a full drain if there was coolant intrusion from the radiator or transmission out/rebuild. I'm not sure if the earlier transmission has a bigger (circular) port or if the screw plug was at a different angle. The workshop instructions gives two different screw plugs torque specs. My 2015 build has the M8 screw plug. When I drained the ATF, it was pretty clean. So the magnets and filter are doing it's job.


If you do choose to tackle this endevour, I recommend a stubby 4mm right angle hex key. Depending on the brand, this can allow you to loosen the screw plug at the circular bottom port.


The estimated amount drained from the torque converter was between 2.75 liters and 3 liters. (I poured the old ATF into the new empty 1 liter bottles to check capacity)


Last edited by JohnnyC; May 17, 2025 at 04:05 PM.
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Old May 17, 2025 | 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
I would only do a full drain if there was coolant intrusion from the radiator or transmission out/rebuild. I'm not sure if the earlier transmission has a bigger (circular) port or if the screw plug was at a different angle. The workshop instructions gives two different screw plugs torque specs. My 2015 build has the M8 screw plug. When I drained the ATF, it was pretty clean. So the magnets and filter are doing it's job.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...edb09b2f34.png

If you do choose to tackle this endevour, I recommend a stubby 4mm right angle hex key. Depending on the brand, this can allow you to loosen the screw plug at the circular bottom port.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...511189a02a.png

The estimated amount drained from the torque converter was between 2.75 liters and 3 liters. (I poured the old ATF into the new empty 1 liter bottles to check capacity)
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e933b73a69.png
I see, my thinking was, fluid eventually does go bad (the sealed for life transmission drain intervals backfired for MB) and eventually we should still replace the fluid in the TC.
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Old May 17, 2025 | 06:42 PM
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Yes you should change it eventually, but even dealerships don't drain it on a regular basis as part of B7 service. If you really wanted to do a through drain then you would also disconnect the hard lines and take out the solenoid plate.

It is very difficult to DIY, especially without a lift. Honestly its just super risky if you lose the screw plug inside the bell housing and can't fish it out.

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Old May 17, 2025 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
Yes you should change it eventually, but even dealerships don't drain it on a regular basis as part of B7 service. If you really wanted to do a through drain then you would also disconnect the hard lines and take out the solenoid plate.

It is very difficult to DIY, especially without a lift. Honestly its just super risky if you lose the screw plug inside the bell housing and can't fish it out.
Thanks for this image.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 12:03 AM
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Huh I just discovered the Liquimoly Top Tech 1900 is NOT approved for the 7G transmission. I just purchased it from FCPEuro's first result without really looking.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 05:12 AM
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FCP shows the 1900 is approved for the 722.9. In my 2013 I put in the Liquimoli trans fluid 1900 from fcp years ago. Is this wrong ? I see the blue fluid is after 2010 in a simple google search. I am going to look at what I have left in the bottle to check color.


Last edited by Mmr1; May 18, 2025 at 05:23 AM.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 06:04 AM
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I just checked my 1/2 empty bottle of Liquimoly 1900, it’s blue and the proper color for a 2013. I think red is 2010 and earlier , but I’m not sure. I do believe 1900 is correct for my 13 , and is good for 2010 and later .
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Old May 18, 2025 | 08:49 AM
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If your build sheet shows code A89 you need MB 236.15 spec fluid.

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Old May 18, 2025 | 01:52 PM
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The liquimoly 1900 is NOTan approved item as of FEB 2025 via the official website. That's the FCPEuro kit I bought.

https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/sheet/236.15

I'm not too concerned. Blue drained out, blue goes back in. Smells and feels the same. Shifting smoothly like before. Just figured I mention it. I'll try the cheaper Fuchs TITAN ATF 7134 FE (or whatever is on sale) next time around.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
Huh I just discovered the Liquimoly Top Tech 1900 is NOT approved for the 7G transmission. I just purchased it from FCPEuro's first result without really looking.
Huh that is strange indeed, what does MB say?
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Old May 18, 2025 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
The liquimoly 1900 is NOTan approved item as of FEB 2025 via the official website. That's the FCPEuro kit I bought.

https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/sheet/236.15

I'm not too concerned. Blue drained out, blue goes back in. Smells and feels the same. Shifting smoothly like before. Just figured I mention it. I'll try the cheaper Fuchs TITAN ATF 7134 FE (or whatever is on sale) next time around.
Oh hmmm thanks for the heads up, that was the site I was about to look at as well.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by John CC
If your build sheet shows code A89 you need MB 236.15 spec fluid.
Was A89 high or low resistant?
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Old May 18, 2025 | 01:57 PM
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Here is a good article: https://www.fcpeuro.com/blog/how-to-...smission-fluid
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Old May 18, 2025 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Mmr1
FCP shows the 1900 is approved for the 722.9. In my 2013 I put in the Liquimoli trans fluid 1900 from fcp years ago. Is this wrong ? I see the blue fluid is after 2010 in a simple google search. I am going to look at what I have left in the bottle to check color.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...d861b7cd6.jpeg
Is there a mb approval certification number on the bottle itself? If so, what does it say?
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Old May 18, 2025 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Was A89 high or low resistant?
?
A89 is "Reduced Friction"
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Old May 18, 2025 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by John CC
?
A89 is "Reduced Friction"
whoopsie I mixed it up with something else sorry about that.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 03:23 PM
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Old May 18, 2025 | 03:29 PM
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The FCP Web site says:
Approvals:
MB 236.15


Which would lead one to believe it has been approved by MB. I wonder if it really means "we say it meets the spec"?

[Edit] I see the label says "[we] recommend..." Probably OK, but...

Last edited by John CC; May 18, 2025 at 03:40 PM.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 04:06 PM
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Yeah weird. I guess in this scenario filling the transmission with the "incorrect" fluid does benefit from a full torque converter drain 🤔.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...-approval.html

Somebody reached out to Mercedes-Benz and they just gave a vague response.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
Thank you for the label, so "recommended" as another forum member mentioned.
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Old May 18, 2025 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyC
Yeah weird. I guess in this scenario filling the transmission with the "incorrect" fluid does benefit from a full torque converter drain 🤔.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...-approval.html

Somebody reached out to Mercedes-Benz and they just gave a vague response.
Probably have to then.
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Old May 19, 2025 | 03:43 AM
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So looks like 2013, 2014, 2015 have the three port housing A2222705801. Older years have the two port housing A2042710800 or A2042710501. So if you have the pre facelift GLK, you should absolutely do the torque convertor as the port is very wide.



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