SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Transmission flush questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 31, 2018 | 03:13 PM
  #1  
marko69's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 320
Likes: 87
From: Tampa
'01 CLK 430 cab, '04 SL500 (230K miles)
Transmission flush questions

Trying to do a transmission flush on my 2004, 722.901, build date 12/03. Finding lots of conflicting info.
Can someone tell me if these 2 black covers are where you check for the torque converter drain plug?
If so, how do you get them off without breaking them?
Is the transmission line I'm pointing to in the pic a transmission fluid in or out line? There is one on the other side
of the transmission also.


Last edited by marko69; Mar 31, 2018 at 10:19 PM. Reason: repost pic
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2018 | 08:20 PM
  #2  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Yes, if you have a TC drain, you find it by removing the rear black plastic cover and then rotating the engine (manually, using a socket wrench on the crank pulley nut) until you find it. It's doubtful that you have the drain, though, since your's is such an early model. Those covers used to be pliable enough to remove, but they get brittle and can break.

The outbound cooling line is the one that comes out of the left side (USA driver side) of the transmission.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2018 | 10:07 PM
  #3  
marko69's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 320
Likes: 87
From: Tampa
'01 CLK 430 cab, '04 SL500 (230K miles)
Excellent, that's what I needed to know, you da man again!!
I'll see if I can get that pic to come back, I should know better than to use photobucket.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2018 | 11:52 PM
  #4  
Hary Gahtoe's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 73
From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
Marko, I relate to your situation.

I have a very early run 04 500. My car didn’t have a TQ drain plug. I changed the fluid twice in <15k mi. Last time I changed the fluids I used the cooler lines and replaced > 6L, then I dropped the pan replaced the filter and refilled the trans as per service at temp requires. Bought the car with no prior service history and had 70k mi
After another 12k mi. I had trouble with it not shifting. Not at all related to fluids but heat and general substandard design of electronic connectors and heat soaked plastic based wire ribbon connecting the servos on the TC plate.
Only afterwards having the already aged servo connections let go. Not the end.

I had to have the entire valve body replaced and coded to the car. I own an SDS and was stumped at why I couldn’t move beyond a TCU re&re. Well; after calling MB area service rep, turns out in MB infinite wisdom (and very likely a lot of trans warranty costs) they demand the entire valve body and TCU be replaced on early run 7G r230’s. It now sports a revised and updated valve body/TCU and I have a spare valve body and TCU leftover.
My situation is unique to early run 04’s. Hopefully later years won’t have this valve body TCU issue as well as the TQ drain plug

Moral of the story is; yes proper fluids and levels are necessary but aging plastic in a heated trans and plastic circuit ribbon should have been built better and nothing related to fluids will prevent these all too common 7G failures.
Good Luck
Hary

Last edited by Hary Gahtoe; Apr 2, 2018 at 12:17 PM.
Reply
Old May 31, 2018 | 11:11 PM
  #5  
ray0214's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 36
From: Nashville Tn
2011 mercedes sl550, 1995 corvette
Transmission fluid

2011 SL550, other than mb Tran fluid, what other brands/types are acceptable for tranny fluid and filter change? I’m going to have an Indy do the job, but I just wanted to know what fluid I should ask for. I am at 38k and fluid has never been changed, manual says to do it at 40k, but doesn’t list any specs for fluid
Reply
Old May 31, 2018 | 11:24 PM
  #6  
ozc204's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 101
Likes: 8
From: Australia
2003 SL500
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...l#post13615202

This is what I did and only missed the 1 odd litre in rad/tran cooler.
Reply
Old May 31, 2018 | 11:27 PM
  #7  
ozc204's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 101
Likes: 8
From: Australia
2003 SL500
Originally Posted by Rudeney
Yes, if you have a TC drain, you find it by removing the rear black plastic cover and then rotating the engine (manually, using a socket wrench on the crank pulley nut) until you find it. It's doubtful that you have the drain, though, since your's is such an early model. Those covers used to be pliable enough to remove, but they get brittle and can break.

The outbound cooling line is the one that comes out of the left side (USA driver side) of the transmission.
Do you happen to know that part number for the cover
Reply
Old May 31, 2018 | 11:44 PM
  #8  
ray0214's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 152
Likes: 36
From: Nashville Tn
2011 mercedes sl550, 1995 corvette
Fluid type/alternatives

thanks, your post had far more info than I need. I’m only trying to find out the brands/types of Tran fluid I should be asking the Indy to use, or make sure he’s using correct fluid. I’m not going to buy the fluid myself. Haven’t used this Indy before so just want to make sure of what he puts in my 2011 sl550
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 1, 2018 | 09:39 PM
  #9  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Any of these fluids are acceptable:

http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/236.14_en.html

Shell ATF-134 is generally easy to get (eBay, or check with your local Shell oil distributor to order a case).
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2018 | 09:42 PM
  #10  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Originally Posted by ozc204
Do you happen to know that part number for the cover

I believe it is A1632710080.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:19 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE