AUTOMATIC TRANS FLUSH DIY
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 1,663
S500
possible but hard work and to check the level u need diagnostic connected up to tell you when its at 80C the bolts should be swapped for new or they will just snap upon tightening
it would be best to get it done by a specialist, its not expensive and without the kit and a ramp a nightmare,
other good ideas... if what's in it is under 4 years old and 30k miles, check the gearbox adaptions / fill rates on diagnostics to determine how worn out it is.
the electro plate speed sensor will die at anywhere from 5 to 11 years
the ESM will die around the same time (as will all electrical modules on any Mercedes built post 1998) and leave you stranded
dirty trans fluid tends to kill the lock up clutch on the torque converter which is yet another designed to fail component
it would be best to get it done by a specialist, its not expensive and without the kit and a ramp a nightmare,
other good ideas... if what's in it is under 4 years old and 30k miles, check the gearbox adaptions / fill rates on diagnostics to determine how worn out it is.
the electro plate speed sensor will die at anywhere from 5 to 11 years
the ESM will die around the same time (as will all electrical modules on any Mercedes built post 1998) and leave you stranded
dirty trans fluid tends to kill the lock up clutch on the torque converter which is yet another designed to fail component
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
S320
BOTUS, thank you very much for your informative reply. Its looks as if i shall book it in to a specialist to get the ATF flushed as a precaution as the car came with zero maintenance service history! all I do know is that it was owned by a Japanese company to ferry the MD around London. One MOT advisory was "vehicle stood for very long time!!!" lol. It has averaged 4,166 miles over 12 years.
Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 187
Likes: 45
2008 R320 CDI 4MATIC
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 212
Likes: 70
2003 S55 (SOLD) , 2012 S550
I actually just performed a flush on my tranny last weekend. Pretty easy and took less than 2 hrs. I already dropped the pan and replaced the filter and gasket a while back and did not do it again. I bought a used cooler line from the cooler to the tranny and cut off the end piece and connected it to clear hose and connected the other end to a drill driven fluid pump on top of a big bucket. Opened the connection on the tranny and hooked up another clear hose to the cooling line leading into another bucket. Filled the first bucket with 15 liters of pentosin fe134 (I have the newer tranny) and then had my wife in the car and started it. The car will pump the old fluid out into the second bucket while i pump fresh fluid into the tranny. I marked the 2 buckets so i would stop at the correct level. I did check the level a little later the correct way but it was damn close and would have been ok.
Total cost: 2 buckets = $8
1 Drill Driven Fluid Pump = $25
15 feet of clear hose = $10
15 Liters of Pentosin Fluid = $150
1 used cooling line = $29
a couple of hose clamps = $5
NOT having to go to a Dealer or other Mechanic - PRICELESS
It might look like a redneck way of doing it but i have done it this way with my S55 as well and it still had the original tranny when i sold it at 250k Miles.
Total cost: 2 buckets = $8
1 Drill Driven Fluid Pump = $25
15 feet of clear hose = $10
15 Liters of Pentosin Fluid = $150
1 used cooling line = $29
a couple of hose clamps = $5
NOT having to go to a Dealer or other Mechanic - PRICELESS
It might look like a redneck way of doing it but i have done it this way with my S55 as well and it still had the original tranny when i sold it at 250k Miles.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
Likes: 13
W221 S500 2010
I actually just performed a flush on my tranny last weekend. Pretty easy and took less than 2 hrs. I already dropped the pan and replaced the filter and gasket a while back and did not do it again. I bought a used cooler line from the cooler to the tranny and cut off the end piece and connected it to clear hose and connected the other end to a drill driven fluid pump on top of a big bucket. Opened the connection on the tranny and hooked up another clear hose to the cooling line leading into another bucket. Filled the first bucket with 15 liters of pentosin fe134 (I have the newer tranny) and then had my wife in the car and started it. The car will pump the old fluid out into the second bucket while i pump fresh fluid into the tranny. I marked the 2 buckets so i would stop at the correct level. I did check the level a little later the correct way but it was damn close and would have been ok.
Total cost: 2 buckets = $8
1 Drill Driven Fluid Pump = $25
15 feet of clear hose = $10
15 Liters of Pentosin Fluid = $150
1 used cooling line = $29
a couple of hose clamps = $5
NOT having to go to a Dealer or other Mechanic - PRICELESS
It might look like a redneck way of doing it but i have done it this way with my S55 as well and it still had the original tranny when i sold it at 250k Miles.
Total cost: 2 buckets = $8
1 Drill Driven Fluid Pump = $25
15 feet of clear hose = $10
15 Liters of Pentosin Fluid = $150
1 used cooling line = $29
a couple of hose clamps = $5
NOT having to go to a Dealer or other Mechanic - PRICELESS
It might look like a redneck way of doing it but i have done it this way with my S55 as well and it still had the original tranny when i sold it at 250k Miles.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 1,663
S500
BOTUS, thank you very much for your informative reply. Its looks as if i shall book it in to a specialist to get the ATF flushed as a precaution as the car came with zero maintenance service history! all I do know is that it was owned by a Japanese company to ferry the MD around London. One MOT advisory was "vehicle stood for very long time!!!" lol. It has averaged 4,166 miles over 12 years.
near Greenford Ring Terry at Wayne Gates http://mercsales.co.uk/
or Tonbridge, Alex at AMF https://www.amfmercedes.com/
it will be around £250, both well respected good value independent merc specialists
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
S320
if u mean UK
near Greenford Ring Terry at Wayne Gates http://mercsales.co.uk/
or Tonbridge, Alex at AMF https://www.amfmercedes.com/
it will be around £250, both well respected good value independent merc specialists
near Greenford Ring Terry at Wayne Gates http://mercsales.co.uk/
or Tonbridge, Alex at AMF https://www.amfmercedes.com/
it will be around £250, both well respected good value independent merc specialists
