M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Wrong fluid in transfer case

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Old Apr 11, 2021 | 07:38 AM
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albi.ad8's Avatar
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W164 320 cdi MY 08
Wrong fluid in transfer case

Hello everyone, So yesterday I had the transfer case chain replaced in my w164 ML without an off-road package, because last week I heard the transfer case chain slip when accelerating hard. When I picked up the car, the mechanic informed me that the diff oil 75w-90 was poured into the transfer case and to the best of my knowledge and based on the research carried out, MB Tranny Fluid 236.14 should be used. I informed the mechanic and he said that thick oil will better preserve and protect the tranny by refusing to switch to ATF or, on the contrary, the guarantee he gave is no longer valid if it is changed to ATF. My question is: should I switch to ATF fluid for the transfer case because I may be risking more by using gear oil? If so, what are the risks? Is anyone using gear oil in the transfer case and what the experience has beeb?
Thank you for your opinion.
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Old Apr 11, 2021 | 08:53 AM
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All 164 T-cases call for 236.12. Buy one qt., drain the wrong fluid and put in 1/2 qt.


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Old Apr 11, 2021 | 09:25 AM
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W164 320 cdi MY 08
Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
All 164 T-cases call for 236.12. Buy one qt., drain the wrong fluid and put in 1/2 qt.

Thank you for the prompt reply. Should I put 1/2 qt of ATF run the car and then drain again as a sort of flush?
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 06:58 AM
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Why is it that you would continue using the wrong fluid to flush. Flush with the proper fluid.
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 09:52 AM
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W164 320 cdi MY 08
Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Why is it that you would continue using the wrong fluid to flush. Flush with the proper fluid.
Maybe you misundertood. I specified that I am going to drain the wrong fluid and put ATF with spec 236.12. Run the car for some minutes, drain again and put again ATF 236.12 fluid.
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 11:37 AM
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Sounds good, the AFT should dissolve/suspend the heavier gear oil so you can drain it effectively and refill.
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Old Apr 12, 2021 | 11:39 AM
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W164 320 cdi MY 08
Originally Posted by B34chBum
Sounds good, the AFT should dissolve/suspend the heavier gear oil so you can drain it effectively and refill.
Thank you, planned on doing it this weekend so car is parked until saturday.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 12:05 AM
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It's just good old Dexron III from the mid-1990s.
https://www.fuchs.com/de/en/product/...itan-atf-3353/


Which is superseded by Dexron VI from around 2005, which is what you should use....not because it's cheaper, but because it's better. It's licenced, with a proprietary additive pack, so even a generic WalMart Dex6 is the exact same as a GM dealer product or other licenced brands.

Don't worry about the residual gear oil, it's only slightly thicker than ATF, like 40 weight oil. No harm done, but the mechanic should re-do it at his or her expense.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 12:12 AM
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I guessed pretty closely...
https://www.slideshare.net/samcheng35380/lubrizol-atf



To put it in perspective, Dexron III used to come in cardboard cans. Mobil 1 is worth a shot.

Last edited by Audi Junkie; Apr 13, 2021 at 12:18 AM.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 01:43 AM
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W164 320 cdi MY 08
Originally Posted by Audi Junkie
I guessed pretty closely...
https://www.slideshare.net/samcheng35380/lubrizol-atf



To put it in perspective, Dexron III used to come in cardboard cans. Mobil 1 is worth a shot.
Thank you for the advice which will be taken in consideration but will be difficult to find Dextron fluid around my area so most probably will end up getting the fluid from the dealer. It only needs 1/2 liter so a liter in total is enough.
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 11:13 AM
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Ok, but dealer fluid is antiquated Dexron 3. I recommended Dex 6 because it replaced Dex 3 about 15 years ago. The MB recommendation should have been updated, and probably is to the newer MB spec, but our talented MB World members only look at the original "by-the-book" recommendation. Dex 6 is available everyplace, but feel free to pay the dealer more, for less.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...Quart/52626198

https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-a...art/930140_0_0
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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 11:14 AM
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https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/...-synthetic-atf


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Old Apr 13, 2021 | 01:04 PM
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This place is a joke.
MB dealers stock red, blue, and gold trans. fluid. Whatever the latest version of red is what you need.
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