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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will better preserve and protect the tranny by refusing to switch to ATF or, on the contrary, the guarantee he gave is no longer valid if it is changed to ATF.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.
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.
Which is superseded by Dexron VI from around 2005, which is what you should use....not because it's cheaper, but because it's better.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.
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.
E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
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
