04 S55 AMG transmission fluid change good or bad?
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2023
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2004 s55 amg
04 S55 AMG transmission fluid change good or bad?
Recently bought 04 s55 and I don’t know the history of the fluid changes. I reached out for advice, received great feedback and order the parts and fluids recommended. Right before getting started a couple buddies who both claim to be car guys, strongly suggested against doing a transmission fluid change on my car especially being over 100k miles. Said some things like, new fluid can mess things up, if it’s not broke don’t fix it.
Sitting here with ATF fluid kit and the air adapter to flush. Supercharger oil and syringe to change. New Transmission mount, and a crankshaft position sensor.
Also have the Bosch 010 pump that’s going on later today or tomorrow, along with an oil and filter change.
New crank pulley ordered and shipped they sent the wrong part first, some bmw high pressure fuel injector lol
Reminder currently nothing is broken and everything runs great, this is all preventative steps looking for more advice, specifically involving changing the atf fluid and then experiencing problems if that’s a thing on these
Sitting here with ATF fluid kit and the air adapter to flush. Supercharger oil and syringe to change. New Transmission mount, and a crankshaft position sensor.
Also have the Bosch 010 pump that’s going on later today or tomorrow, along with an oil and filter change.
New crank pulley ordered and shipped they sent the wrong part first, some bmw high pressure fuel injector lol
Reminder currently nothing is broken and everything runs great, this is all preventative steps looking for more advice, specifically involving changing the atf fluid and then experiencing problems if that’s a thing on these
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 269
Likes: 93
From: Las Vegas, NV
2003 S55 AMG, 2005 C320 Coupe, 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
I remember hearing that wive's tale too back when I was into GM cars in the 80's & 90's. Maybe it started in the 60's with 2 speed Powerglide transmissions! 
Transmission fluid breaks down. Friction material from normal wear is still collecting in your "most likely original" filter. I've worked on aircraft, cars, hydraulic actuators, control valves, etc for the past 30 years and nothing likes dirty fluid, especially when its hydraulic or functions in the same manner as hydraulics. This is the same with your ABC & brake fluid. Water and contamination are bad juju for these.
Transmission fluid breaks down. Friction material from normal wear is still collecting in your "most likely original" filter. I've worked on aircraft, cars, hydraulic actuators, control valves, etc for the past 30 years and nothing likes dirty fluid, especially when its hydraulic or functions in the same manner as hydraulics. This is the same with your ABC & brake fluid. Water and contamination are bad juju for these.
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 155
Likes: 118
From: Ohio
2005 S55 AMG, 2001 SL500
Recently bought 04 s55 and I don’t know the history of the fluid changes. I reached out for advice, received great feedback and order the parts and fluids recommended. Right before getting started a couple buddies who both claim to be car guys, strongly suggested against doing a transmission fluid change on my car especially being over 100k miles. Said some things like, new fluid can mess things up, if it’s not broke don’t fix it.
Sitting here with ATF fluid kit and the air adapter to flush. Supercharger oil and syringe to change. New Transmission mount, and a crankshaft position sensor.
Also have the Bosch 010 pump that’s going on later today or tomorrow, along with an oil and filter change.
New crank pulley ordered and shipped they sent the wrong part first, some bmw high pressure fuel injector lol
Reminder currently nothing is broken and everything runs great, this is all preventative steps looking for more advice, specifically involving changing the atf fluid and then experiencing problems if that’s a thing on these
Sitting here with ATF fluid kit and the air adapter to flush. Supercharger oil and syringe to change. New Transmission mount, and a crankshaft position sensor.
Also have the Bosch 010 pump that’s going on later today or tomorrow, along with an oil and filter change.
New crank pulley ordered and shipped they sent the wrong part first, some bmw high pressure fuel injector lol
Reminder currently nothing is broken and everything runs great, this is all preventative steps looking for more advice, specifically involving changing the atf fluid and then experiencing problems if that’s a thing on these
Further thoughts anyone?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Just swap it and do it every 5y/50k thereafter with your spark plugs, is my advice (subject to your driving style) These are some of the heartiest transmissions MB has ever made, so my attitude has always been to just do it, and that goes for every MB or ZF transmission where I’ve gotten that advice. In a sense, you have to ignore “car guys” when dealing with these cars unless they are German Car guys.
maw
maw
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
2015 S550 4MATIC
There are two types of fluid for these; old and new version. I believe it is recommended to use the old version if you are unsure the history. If you want to use new version I think the recommendation is change once, drive the car for a bit, then change it again to make sure most of the fluid in the trans is the new version.
If you are comfortable and handy enough, you might also think about replacing the sleeves in the transmission valve body, as well as the conductor plate. The sleeves made a MASSIVE difference for me. 1st-to-2nd gear shift was pretty choppy, and the new o-ringed sleeves smoothed it out.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2317-ma...lve-sleeve-kit
If you are comfortable and handy enough, you might also think about replacing the sleeves in the transmission valve body, as well as the conductor plate. The sleeves made a MASSIVE difference for me. 1st-to-2nd gear shift was pretty choppy, and the new o-ringed sleeves smoothed it out.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2317-ma...lve-sleeve-kit
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 155
Likes: 118
From: Ohio
2005 S55 AMG, 2001 SL500
If you are comfortable and handy enough, you might also think about replacing the sleeves in the transmission valve body, as well as the conductor plate. The sleeves made a MASSIVE difference for me. 1st-to-2nd gear shift was pretty choppy, and the new o-ringed sleeves smoothed it out.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2317-ma...lve-sleeve-kit
Every now and then you get to yell BINGO!! and you just made my day! Thanks
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2317-ma...lve-sleeve-kit
Every now and then you get to yell BINGO!! and you just made my day! Thanks
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 118
'03 S55 (79K miles)
Change the fluid and filter.
There is very little risk to changing the fluid and filter (inside the pan).
Drain pan. Drop pan. Replace the filter. Reinstall pan, refill fluid
In the mid 2000s, there was some chatter about the conductor plates inside the transmissions going bad, but it was not really a preventative maintenance thing.
Drain pan. Drop pan. Replace the filter. Reinstall pan, refill fluid
In the mid 2000s, there was some chatter about the conductor plates inside the transmissions going bad, but it was not really a preventative maintenance thing.
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 17
2004 S55 AMG
If you are comfortable and handy enough, you might also think about replacing the sleeves in the transmission valve body, as well as the conductor plate. The sleeves made a MASSIVE difference for me. 1st-to-2nd gear shift was pretty choppy, and the new o-ringed sleeves smoothed it out.
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2317-ma...lve-sleeve-kit
Every now and then you get to yell BINGO!! and you just made my day! Thanks
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/2317-ma...lve-sleeve-kit
Every now and then you get to yell BINGO!! and you just made my day! Thanks
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 155
Likes: 118
From: Ohio
2005 S55 AMG, 2001 SL500
THis is all new to me....but I am pretty handy with a wrench....anymore details on the actual installation/upgrade on this? My 1-2 is quite jerky and i figure like you, this may fix it.
Link tells all, including instructions. Kit is available through Summit Racing for $39.00 Cart (summitracing.com)
Link tells all, including instructions. Kit is available through Summit Racing for $39.00 Cart (summitracing.com)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
THis is all new to me....but I am pretty handy with a wrench....anymore details on the actual installation/upgrade on this? My 1-2 is quite jerky and i figure like you, this may fix it.
Link tells all, including instructions. Kit is available through Summit Racing for $39.00 Cart (summitracing.com)
Link tells all, including instructions. Kit is available through Summit Racing for $39.00 Cart (summitracing.com)
maw
