ml320 transmission fluid

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Jan 1, 2015 | 09:11 PM

urbs007

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 3

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ml320

ml320 transmission fluid

need assistance. 1999 ml320 purchased 1 month ago with 130,000 miles. dont know maintenance history. was cheap ($2,000) and was recommemded by a ml320 owner who also owns a 2006 r-500. made a tranny dipstic and get no reading on stick. vehicle warmed up and level. after warming up i smell what seems to be oil burning . pan is wet. transmission shifts fine, although a little late when cold (20 degrees F) when i bought it, i did an oil change with valvoline synthetic 10-w-30. level remains same after 2 weeks. what do you guys recommend? cannot afford dealer maintenance.

Jan 2, 2015 | 03:29 AM

Maj. Dundee

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 7,107

Likes: 765

From: Bronx, N.Y.

2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500

Your first mission is to get the proper dipstick.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-722-6-Transmission-Fluid-Dipstick-Tool-1231-/151526527927?hash=item2347af53b7&item=151526527927&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
The second mission is to find exactly where the leak is coming from: pan, trans. pressure hoses, front seal, etc.

Jan 2, 2015 | 08:31 AM

urbs007

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 3

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ml320

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee

Your first mission is to get the proper dipstick.

Mercedes Benz 722 6 Transmission Fluid Dipstick Tool 1231 | eBay

The second mission is to find exactly where the leak is coming from: pan, trans. pressure hoses, front seal, etc.

I think first mission was accomplished sufficiently for my intentions. I was trying to determine if the fluid was burnt or dirty. I made 2 dipsticks, 1 was 1/16" stainless braided cable. The other was about 1/8" throttle cable. They both bottom out when inserted into dipstick tube. No fluid is on either cable when checked. Can the vehicle be driven ? If it cant be driven, would my next step be spraying down the gasket and pilot bushing area with brake clean to find leak? I'm very concerned about no fluid reading as I've been driving this vehicle on the highway at 80 mph with apparently no fluid in the pan. Would the cables I'm using is there any way they couldn't be bottoming out?
thanks

Jan 2, 2015 | 04:18 PM

art_arev

Super Member

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 504

Likes: 7

From: Harare, Zimbabwe

2003 ML55,2007 ML63

If you blow your tranny it will cost you much more then a dipstick. Buy the proper dipstick & measure the tranny oil properly. If there is no oil don't even think of driving the car. And the car must be running when measuring tranny fluid level.
So, go back to mission 1, then to mission 2