Originally Posted by StarvingArtist

I did this without taking off any lines. After I cleaned the pan I just refilled drove, drained, refilled, drove, drained until color was good. Takes more fluid but less brains.

Originally Posted by MAN55LE

What about the filter? Did you put a new filter in after the last drive and fill? If you didn't, old fluid would have been run through the filter, defeating some of the purpose of the flush, new filter and new fluid....not really sure, just a thought?

Originally Posted by MAN55LE

Just pointing it out, I personally wouldn't want any old fluid running through the new filter that I'm going to have on the car for the next 40,000 miles, or any mileage for that matter.

Originally Posted by Critter

MB Oakville, Canada wants 450 for an E63 trans oil and filter change. when pressured he stated 4 quarts of oil and filter, WTF that is more/ less the ultimate ripoff ever IMO. They do not drain the converter. Was not impressed with this service, so will go indy who is a Benz specialist.

Originally Posted by Zed82

According to my dealer, there is a drain plug for the converter as well on the E55?

If so, the draining from the hose is not necessary?

Originally Posted by typhoon43

I haven't been up under the car enough to see if there's an inspection cover like most vehicles for the Torque converter, but even if there was a plug it would be one messy job I would think. Can anyone confirm?

Originally Posted by 06E55

Also, I was surprised at how clean my transmission fluid was. kjlindgr's fluid was definitely burnt and needing of replacing. Honestly, when I took off my pan and saw the color of the fluid, I debated about even doing the complete flush. Mine was still pretty red. Granted, it was a deeper red now, but no where close to as dirty/burnt as kjlindgr's was! This is with 41851 on the car. And the transmission fluid had NOT been changed previously, as the original black pin was on the transmission fluid cap.

Originally Posted by kjlindgr

Hey all.

I think I read somewhere on here that the MB techs said the transmissions of the E55 weren't supposed to be serviced (read: flushed) or something like that. I'm not sure exactly where I read that but it sticks out in my mind. Anyway, I thought this was a bunch of rubbish and at 54K miles, I figured the E55 was probably in need of a full transmission flush. For those DIYers out there, I thought this would be some helpful information to share. This procedure works with all W211 E55's with 5-speed trans.

To do a full and proper transmission flush, by the book, you'll need the following:

* 12 liters of genuine MB fluid suitable for the 722.6 5-speed trans
* Transmission filter
* Torx wrenches
* 17mm box wrench
* 19mm box wrench
* funnel
* bucket big enough to hold 3 liters
* flat head screw driver
* transmission fluid dipstick
* lots of rags


Case of fluid and filter, ready to go in:



Here's the part number for the genuine MB filter. You can get generic filters at your local VatoZone, but for $3 extra why risk quality:



This is the fluid you need. I thought there was a part number on there somewhere, but I don't remember seeing one. There is a spec sheet on the back though telling you what applications it can and should be used for. If you are a frugal shopper, you can get it online for about $10-12 a liter. If you want convenience, your MB dealer will pony it up for about $16 a liter.



Behind the passenger (right) side intake, the transmission filler tube lives. There is a red plastic locking clip you need to bust off. With a flat head screw driver it just pops off. Push the remaining clip out of the cap, and you can pull the black cap right off. There's an o-ring on it so don't lose that.



Here's the part number for the clip if you feel the need to replace it. I priced them out and they are $0.72 at www.genuinemercedesparts.com:



I used the dipstick throughout this procedure for a couple things. First was to test the quality of the fluid in the system after each flush. Secondly was to make sure it was to the correct level. You don't want to run the trans with too much or too little fluid:



I took a sample of the fluid before draining just to check on what was going on. The old fluid is on the left. Brand new fluid straight out of the bottle on the right. Yup, it was toast. It smelled burnt, and looked like bad curry. It was probably 15K miles past due, but I can't take blame for that since I's only owned it for the last 4K



Here's the transmission pan. Drain it with the plug and then remove the 6 torx bolts around the pan. Or, you can do what I did and just remove the 6 torx bolts if you have a wide enough drainage pan:



A shot with the trans pan off. You can see the football-ish shaped filter and the valve body assembly. Don't muck with any of that other stuff, just do your business and keep it clean. The filter is just held in with an o-ring suction neck and clip on the other end. Pops right off. I did wipe the inside of the pan off though just to get all the nasty old oil out of it:



Put the new transmission filter in and bolt the pan back in place. Replace the gasket if you'd like, but mine was fine so I left it.

Next. comes the flushing procedure. Pay close attention:
1. Fill with 4 liters of transmission fluid. This is about what you'll extract during the draining process.
2. Pull off one of the lines going to the transmission from the cooler, or do what I did and pull off one of the lines up front going to the cooler. I'll put a picture below.
3. Have a friend start the car and idle until 3 liters of fluid pump into the bucket. Takes about 5-10 seconds.
4. Shut car off immediately.
5. Refill transmission with 3 liters
6. Have a friend start the car and idle until 3 liters of fluid pump into the bucket.
7. Shut car off immediately.
8. Refill transmission with 3 liters
9. Have a friend start the car and idle until 3 liters of fluid pump into the bucket.
10. Shut car off immediately.
11. Put remaining 2 liter into the transmission.
12. Reconnect transmission fluid line
13. Check the final fluid level and drain some more if it's a little high. Mine was and I had to pump about another 2 liters out.



Here's the transmission line to remove. The transmission cooler is integrated into the radiator so this is way up front in the car. You'll need to remove the front diffuser to find it. The "proper" service procedures say to remove the line at the point it enters the transmission, but this is a hard line and I didn't want to try to fit it with a rubber hose, bla bla bla...this is just easier:



Now, clean up your mess. You're done!