Hi,

Last week I replaced the transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket.
Today I disassemble the filter and got a scoop of aluminium flakes, see picture. There is not too much slush on the magnet though.
This comes out of my 2003 S600 NAG1(722.649) 5 speed transmission 80k miles without fluid replaced before.

Anyone has the experience opened the filter before?
Is this amount of aluminium normal, bad or very bad.
Do I need to do anything. Currently the transmission shifts normal.

By the way, where is the aluminium come from, the brakes, clutch or the valve body ?

Please help, Thanks.

Howard

We frequently see this related to no apparent wear in the transmission. More prevalent in the 722.6. I would not loose sleep. We believe it to be machining swarf which does not say much for Benz QC. We have not seen a failure as yet with a transmissions displaying flakes. A recent W204 diesel in fact showed typical drilling swarf in small curls at it's first 39K change. This is a case where a full fluid flush might be better than a half change due to no TC drain.

This transmission in my pic is still running well at high mileage. Please change fluid & filter every 39K miles or 60K Km's. Check the filter next time. I'll bet there will be nothing in it. If it continues there might be cause for concern.

Thanks Glyn.

Your input is really helpful. Now I definitely won't worry.

Sure I will change fluid and filter every 60kkm to keep her clean.
As you mentioned before, 722.6 is pretty strong and last long if maintained properly.

We are so lucky having you in the forum and all your knowledges are treasures for us.

Thanks again, .

Howard

Only a pleasure! Thanks for the kind words.

Hate to thread jack but since Howard's question was answered quite handily I have a question for Glyn. Is that a pic of where you live in your sig? Holy cow, man!! Talk about living in paradise.

Lucky bastud,

Keith

We frequently see this related to no apparent wear in the transmission. More prevalent in the 722.6. I would not loose sleep. We believe it to be machining swarf which does not say much for Benz QC. We have not seen a failure as yet with a transmissions displaying flakes. A recent W204 diesel in fact showed typical drilling swarf in small curls at it's first 39K change. This is a case where a full fluid flush might be better than a half change due to no TC drain.

Np, actually I want to know where is it too.
That's really a beautiful place.

Howard

3rd was thinking the same how pretty that is / luckybastid he is 8-)

Glyn / Orville... wow, really appreciate your posts that is amazing insight. I'd have puked if I saw that in the bottom of my pan and not had the fortune of this knowledge - certainly! Gee that tree just fell onto my roof nevermindthatsaw...

pretty interesting story to boot - go figure

and - as always - welldone AGAIN, Howard... goodshow! Hey, at the least you're making the rest of us look like a buncha slackerz - in posting and in maintenence!

Up the anti, you have goodsir! Rest of us should endeavor to that bar, or um like something and uh things and stuff... I think.


ps: Glyn.... pics of the S Jag?

Orville,

I can only see your quote of Glyn's post.
I can not see other words of yours, neither the pictures.

Howard

Thanks, Paul.

I am always curious. And want to catch any sign of issue before it grew into big failure.

Have a nice day.

Howard

Glyn,

I still have questions need your advice which are related to my 722.649 (W5A.900) transmission:
After using MB ATF 134, 236.14 and replace filter/Electric Plug I still have a noticeable 2-1 downshift occasionally when de-acceleration, e.g. approaching stop light.

Is this relates to the famous Conduct Plate issue ?
Do I need to replace the conduct plate for preventitive purpose ? I'm thinking of the updated verions is better.
Will it cause any damage to keep using the old conduct plate ?

Or is this relates to my oily Transmission Control Module ? I just cleaned it up last week: https://mbworld.org/forums/5050356-post38.html

Or I need reset the transmission.

Thanks in advance.

Howard

Yes - Indeed it is where I live. We are very lucky. Cape Town is very beautiful & Llandudno is special. I bought the land as a 24 year old kid & built on it at the age of 27. Today it is worth a fortune. Just renovated.

See here for a few more CT pics.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ship-pics.html

Jag not ready for reveal. Getting there. Upholstery kit being fitted at present. Biscuit Connolly hide.

Get your dealer to ensure the latest software flash & reset all adaptions.

Conductor plate issues will be throwing codes.

Plus - you can catch out the 722.6 by braking hard to a stop AFTER accelerating. If you catch the TC lockup clutch while locking you will get a clonk. Smooth driving will obviate this. It has nothing to do with 236.14 fluid which is the best you can possibly use.

Good luck

Parrot

Yes, Sir.

Will do and report back.

Thanks.

Howard

This is how I blew my transmission at 190k miles (braking hard after acceleration), the lockup was so severe it couldnt take it.

It seems these trannies tend to last about 200k miles so I feel I got full use out of it. Bought a replacement from a MBWorld member parting a car out for $500

, Do you mean 'braking hard after acceleration' will hurt the trany ?

Is this because the Torque Converter lockup during the accerleration, but the suden de-accerleration caused by the braking will trigger trany downshift to lower gear. And the two actions are not coorperate well, e.g. TC lockup doesn't release in time, then cause gears clonk.

And as Glyn mentioned udpating trany software will improve the shifting logic hence cure the clonk, Am I right ?
Actually I did accelerate very hard and brake very hard once because I didn't see the light was turning red. But I didn't feel rough shifting at that time.

Anyway, $500 for a MB trany is a great deal.

Thanks.

Howard

I've seen many of these transmissions do a million Km's in Taxi service.

No this won't damage the transmission. It can just induce a clonk. Don't read too much into it. The only time 200K miles might be considered normal is if the transmission was never serviced & considered filled for life. Filled for life = short life.

The newer flashes just change the transmission behavior as you come up to a halt to make sure you don't get a hard change down.

Got it, Mr. Ruck.

Scheculed a appt. to have the transmission software checked.

Yes, I believe I can keep this trany running for a long time with proper maintenance.

Thanks.

Howard

Glyn and all,

Had the dealer checked the transmission software: it's up to date and no any code for the transmission. Fluid level is perfect.

Actually I don't think I have any issue right now but just have these feelings and want some ideas to see whether I can make it better:
1) During normal acceleration, feel power delayed/interupted for nearly 1 second from 1st gear to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. It shifts pretty smooth though, just need to wait until it pushes you again.
As a comparison, my Volvo 5 speed box shifts more quickly. I do feel it shifts in low gears but I don't really need to wait for it to engage the next gear.
2) During low gear uphill climbing when I lift the gas, I feel noticeably drag. It shifts to lower gear make the car suddenly slow down . No any sound but not smooth at all.

Any comments or idea ?

Thanks.

Howard

Howard-

Without actually driving the car - and based upon your observations / shop's assessement of no issues... I believe what you are feeling is just typical MB feel (IMO).

Best thing you could do is go test drive a few other models and compare sensation / feel.

Are you observing this in Sport or Convenience? Sport will downshift to a stop more aggressively.

similar to your earlier reported "heavy reverse" phenomena... it's a Benz

I've always enjoyed the throttle-lift-decel they afford... comes in quite handy 8-)

Paul,

Right on, excalty feeling and I was in Sport.
Yes, it helps you braking, .

Thank you my friend.

Howard

With the 5spd Auto S is Standard and W is Winter. Also 5spd tranny, despite popular belief on this and other MB boards does not have software updates. This can be confirmed by calling any dealer. There are no software updates for the 5spd trans. The only issue I have with my transmission is coming to a stop it downshifts too early and you feel it.. not smooth. I have been able to almost completely get rid of it by re-learning the transmission with the long procedure, teaching it with the tip-tronic-ish part of the tranny. Now it only does it while the car is cold, and it's not nearly as noticeable.. From what I have seen, it's a very common issue with these trannys, and alot of people have come to describe it as a "feature" to help slow the car down..