1997 S320 transmission concern....
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23
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W104 S500 Coupe
1997 S320 transmission concern....
I was driving my fathers 97 S320 127K and noticed that when it warms up and you brake quick to a complete stop it fells like some one just hit you in a rear. Than I tried hard accelerating before stooping completely and felt like trans was going to jump out of the car. These are the only times that any sines of improper function is noticeable. All shifting is normal and is avoidable if driving slowly and accelerating slowly. My mechanic told me that it had a bad trans mount after we changed it approx 30% improvement but still noticeable. All components including all of the bushings and mounts were found to be OK. We never had any trans service performed and at 127K I was told that it could stop shifting after trans flush service. Should I start looking for another trans or is their anything ales I can try?
Thank you to all.
Thank you to all.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 835
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, CA
09' E320
Give it a fluid and filter change. Don't flush it. You'll need ~8L of MB's trans fluid for the 722.6 (yours) or 722.9 fluid which is backward compatible.
Current service interval is now 39K miles. Has changed about 4 times through the years.
Current service interval is now 39K miles. Has changed about 4 times through the years.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 335
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From: MA
1987 SDL; 2001 Chevy 2500HD CC, 8.1L, Allison special order; 1970 GTO LS2, 4L60E, under construction
Just remember the above advice is from somone who claimed MB didn't have a synthetic trans fluid.
Subscribers beware...
If the trans fluid is brown or black, then flushing is out of the question, as all/most of your clutch material is now in the fluid. If its still clean, which I can't believe after no service for 127K, you can flush with no problems.
Proper transmission services should be done at 25K miles and every 25k miles after that to avoid problems. Exceptions would be using a superior synthetic fluid such as Amsoil which can extend the regular service intervals to 50K miles under severe conditions, and up to 100K miles in normal use situations.
Subscribers beware...
If the trans fluid is brown or black, then flushing is out of the question, as all/most of your clutch material is now in the fluid. If its still clean, which I can't believe after no service for 127K, you can flush with no problems.
Proper transmission services should be done at 25K miles and every 25k miles after that to avoid problems. Exceptions would be using a superior synthetic fluid such as Amsoil which can extend the regular service intervals to 50K miles under severe conditions, and up to 100K miles in normal use situations.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 835
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, CA
09' E320
Goat Pellets!!! Watch your step!
Current MB service interval is 39k miles as of early '09. Flushing is a waste on your trans. Your T.C. has a drain plug. It was eliminated on later models.
MB, Shell/Fuchs Titan, Febi and one or two others NOW make a compatible fluid. Incompatible fluid is a VERY quick way to ruin a dot 6 or 9 trans. MB's fluid is the easiest to source.
722.6 trans fluid oftentimes has the color and smell of 80/90W gear oil in higher mileage services. Brown fluid is more common than not. Its a well known fact that its not necessarily indicative of a probelm. MB has put out TSB's as early as 97/98 regarding same. Metal debris in the pan above 1-2mm is another matter.
Good luck.
Current MB service interval is 39k miles as of early '09. Flushing is a waste on your trans. Your T.C. has a drain plug. It was eliminated on later models.
MB, Shell/Fuchs Titan, Febi and one or two others NOW make a compatible fluid. Incompatible fluid is a VERY quick way to ruin a dot 6 or 9 trans. MB's fluid is the easiest to source.
722.6 trans fluid oftentimes has the color and smell of 80/90W gear oil in higher mileage services. Brown fluid is more common than not. Its a well known fact that its not necessarily indicative of a probelm. MB has put out TSB's as early as 97/98 regarding same. Metal debris in the pan above 1-2mm is another matter.
Good luck.
Last edited by TMAllison; May 6, 2009 at 02:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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W104 S500 Coupe
PROBLEM RESOLVED!
After I did my research online and tolking to 5 diferent mechaniks, I desided to take a chanse and go with Redline D4 trans flued and 1 botle of Lucas trans reconditheoning flued. I changed all fluid including in a TC converter plus a new OEM filter. Well after 1 week of driving my trans is perfect. Just like on any brand new car. I'm sure not all of you agree with this decision but that is something that I took a gamble on and won.
Thank you too all.
Thank you too all.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 835
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, CA
09' E320
One week does not equal a battle won IMO......
MB's spec is unique because of the friction modifiers used in their additive package.
If it slow shifts, jerks or slips in the future I would suggest parking it immediately. When a 722.6 trans goes bad it seems they do so in a matter of a few miles more often than not.
MB's spec is unique because of the friction modifiers used in their additive package.
If it slow shifts, jerks or slips in the future I would suggest parking it immediately. When a 722.6 trans goes bad it seems they do so in a matter of a few miles more often than not.
