DIY Transmission Fluid?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
s550
DIY Transmission Fluid?
Has anyone changed transmission fluid themselves? I have heard this is not a simple task. I have done a bunch of upgrades myself - so am thinking of giving this a shot.
I have 2008 4Matic (6 speed) that just crossed 40K miles
1. What is the recommended brand and how many quarts should I use?
2. Do I need any special tools for this task?
Cheers!
I have 2008 4Matic (6 speed) that just crossed 40K miles
1. What is the recommended brand and how many quarts should I use?
2. Do I need any special tools for this task?
Cheers!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 11
From: Iowa
2019 S450
Here is short sumary of doing the Trany fluid yourself.
Drained the TC,Yes there is a drain plug on it, got exactly 4 qts out of that. Removed the pan drain plug and got less than a quart. I stuck a 1/4 steel rod into the drain hole and tilted it sideways. The overflow pipe popped off and 3 more quarts drained out.
Took the pan off and cleaned it thoghly, cleaned the 2 magnets, put the plastic overflow pipe back onto the boss on the drain plug. Installed a new gasket and filter. Used 6 new pan bolts They must be replaced!.. They are very soft bolts so dont overtighten them. Put it all back together. Took a 12 MM bolt and drilled a 3/16 hole in it. Cut it to 1/2 in long, Brazed a 1/4 in pipe coupling on it. I took the same pump I use to suck the oil out of the engine and pumped 5 qts into the tranny.. started the engine for about 5 sec. Put the rest of the fluid in a quart at a time and ran the engine for 5 sec after each quart until I had all 8 qts pumped into it. Removed my adapter and put the plug back in. 2 hrs and Done... No big deal. I notice the shifting seems much smoother now also.. The old fluid looked like Coke. No junk in the filter but was some metal fuzz on the magnets.. 60,000 miles. Use MB fluid only!
Drained the TC,Yes there is a drain plug on it, got exactly 4 qts out of that. Removed the pan drain plug and got less than a quart. I stuck a 1/4 steel rod into the drain hole and tilted it sideways. The overflow pipe popped off and 3 more quarts drained out.
Took the pan off and cleaned it thoghly, cleaned the 2 magnets, put the plastic overflow pipe back onto the boss on the drain plug. Installed a new gasket and filter. Used 6 new pan bolts They must be replaced!.. They are very soft bolts so dont overtighten them. Put it all back together. Took a 12 MM bolt and drilled a 3/16 hole in it. Cut it to 1/2 in long, Brazed a 1/4 in pipe coupling on it. I took the same pump I use to suck the oil out of the engine and pumped 5 qts into the tranny.. started the engine for about 5 sec. Put the rest of the fluid in a quart at a time and ran the engine for 5 sec after each quart until I had all 8 qts pumped into it. Removed my adapter and put the plug back in. 2 hrs and Done... No big deal. I notice the shifting seems much smoother now also.. The old fluid looked like Coke. No junk in the filter but was some metal fuzz on the magnets.. 60,000 miles. Use MB fluid only!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
s550
This is probably one of the best write up on this topic by far based on my web searches.
Thanks a lot!!
Thanks a lot!!
Here is short sumary of doing the Trany fluid yourself.
Drained the TC,Yes there is a drain plug on it, got exactly 4 qts out of that. Removed the pan drain plug and got less than a quart. I stuck a 1/4 steel rod into the drain hole and tilted it sideways. The overflow pipe popped off and 3 more quarts drained out.
Took the pan off and cleaned it thoghly, cleaned the 2 magnets, put the plastic overflow pipe back onto the boss on the drain plug. Installed a new gasket and filter. Used 6 new pan bolts They must be replaced!.. They are very soft bolts so dont overtighten them. Put it all back together. Took a 12 MM bolt and drilled a 3/16 hole in it. Cut it to 1/2 in long, Brazed a 1/4 in pipe coupling on it. I took the same pump I use to suck the oil out of the engine and pumped 5 qts into the tranny.. started the engine for about 5 sec. Put the rest of the fluid in a quart at a time and ran the engine for 5 sec after each quart until I had all 8 qts pumped into it. Removed my adapter and put the plug back in. 2 hrs and Done... No big deal. I notice the shifting seems much smoother now also.. The old fluid looked like Coke. No junk in the filter but was some metal fuzz on the magnets.. 60,000 miles. Use MB fluid only!
Drained the TC,Yes there is a drain plug on it, got exactly 4 qts out of that. Removed the pan drain plug and got less than a quart. I stuck a 1/4 steel rod into the drain hole and tilted it sideways. The overflow pipe popped off and 3 more quarts drained out.
Took the pan off and cleaned it thoghly, cleaned the 2 magnets, put the plastic overflow pipe back onto the boss on the drain plug. Installed a new gasket and filter. Used 6 new pan bolts They must be replaced!.. They are very soft bolts so dont overtighten them. Put it all back together. Took a 12 MM bolt and drilled a 3/16 hole in it. Cut it to 1/2 in long, Brazed a 1/4 in pipe coupling on it. I took the same pump I use to suck the oil out of the engine and pumped 5 qts into the tranny.. started the engine for about 5 sec. Put the rest of the fluid in a quart at a time and ran the engine for 5 sec after each quart until I had all 8 qts pumped into it. Removed my adapter and put the plug back in. 2 hrs and Done... No big deal. I notice the shifting seems much smoother now also.. The old fluid looked like Coke. No junk in the filter but was some metal fuzz on the magnets.. 60,000 miles. Use MB fluid only!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 11
From: Iowa
2019 S450
Thank you.. If you have any other questions shoot me a email gary@mtcnet.net
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 1,343
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Props to Platt_Deutsch. It's great to see S Class owners willing to get their hands dirty and help show a path to making ownership of these great cars more affordable.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Sep 16, 2012 at 02:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
s550
I completed this work yesterday. I could not get the entire 8 quarts out - but managed to flush out about 5 quarts. I will do one more flush after 30K miles and that should do take care of this.
