david_d23

Hey everyone,

I was looking for a bit of advice here...I am bringing the beast to the stealer to get a few things fixed and wanted to get a tranny flush done at the same time. I have an '04 with 77k miles.

So the SA asks if I want a tranny flush or a service. According to him, a flush is just running fresh fluid through the tranny and a tranny service actually changes the filter and gasket and some other crap he was trying to sell me on.

From my experience with other vehicles, doing a flush is sufficient since the machine they use basically "washes" the tranny including the filter by cycling fresh fluid through multiple times.

Is he selling snake oil or is there something to this "service" that is needed over just a "flush"?

I've never done either to the vehicle.

BTW, the service is twice the cost of a flush.

Thanks to all who reply!

NCE500

I had my E63 tranny serviced as part of annual maintenance this past Summer. The added cost for new filter and pan gasket was less than $50. If I were you, I'd spend that $50, particularly with higher mileage.

Tom_Boy

Yes.. You'll get a new/clean filter. That's important. If the gasket is leaking, that will get it fixed.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

i would think when they flush to drain out the fluid the pan has to come off and the filter is right there, for the gaskets why would they resue the old one after doing a flush.

tgoss

I would assume a flush came with all new fliters and such as well I know mine did when they just serviced mine a month ago.

Hammer Down

I've had mine done twice since 2004. It shouldn't cost you more than $350-450 to change oil,filter,gasket and whatever else was involved. You should however get to know your SA really well or one of the tech's to do a side job for you. I paid $400 for engine,trans and rear diff. It's not what you know its who you know. Trans oil is like gold it sells for something like $12 a quart and I believe that we need 9.

slownrusty

Wow...how new are you to cars? When you do an oil change in the motor does it also wash the motor...? Plus you do not wash out the filter either by running fluid through it...damn..I am scared for your E55.

Anyway, the Service incl the following:
1) New Filter
2) All new transmission oil pan bolts
3) Completely emptying the torque converter by cycling new fluid through it. The torque converter holds more than 1/2 the transmission oil capacity. This is where most of the additional time and labor goes for this service.
4) 8qts of transmission fluid

Time to go wash myself...need a shower

Yuille36

A Transmission Service is always recommended over a Transmission Flush. The transmission is the hardest working part in your car, you take care of it, it will take care of you. Mercedes aren't known for transmission problems but they can occur. So why not do what you can to prevent it, get a service.

david_d23

A little condescending, don't you think?! Always nice to run into a friendly E55 owner.

FYI

A flush hooks a machine to the tranny lines. They run a "detergent" through the system which "washes" the transmission and torque converter and clears any gunk out. This also washes the debris/gunk from the filter. They then evacuate the system, and refill with fresh fluid along with a conditioner.

All this information above came from the tech I spoke to when I dropped off the car and he recommended the flush at this point. He said the service, while it changes the filter and gasket, does not do as well of a job of clearing out all the gunk since they don't do a flush with the detergent and conditioner.

I went with the flush and can change out the filter/gasket myself at a later time.

OrionS55

It doesn't pay to cut corners when it comes to maintenance on a $80k car. It cost me $310 for a full tranny service.

komp55

As a DIY project, it's definitely a PITA job since the refill needs to occur at the correct fluid temperature, you need the trans fluid dipstick and locking tab, a big catch pan, etc. I've done it, but didn't like doing it. Dealer gets to do it next time unless some of that newbie E55 owner motivation comes back to me (not to mention more free time to work on my car).

lilg210

If your car has 77k on it do not do the flush just do the service. A flush can cause you more harm than good. Also for the flush Mercedes no longer uses detergents/conditioners, they run regular fluid through the system now.

emoving

Sorry, but flush only = Not sure why you would skimp out on $50 worth of a filter and a gasket! I guess when you do a service at Midas, that's what you get.

Jon2007E63P30

The thread and this post indicate why we need a little "63" speration. The 63 can not be flushed. Nor is there a dip stick. The oil is filled through the drain plug on the 722.9. the drain pan gasket is REGUIRED. The filter is REQUIRED. The service is onece at 40K and never again. Yeah right. I'll do it again at 80K.

The requirements are far different that the 5spd for the 55.

DBrasco

He said the cost was TWICE the amount of the flush. Anyways, to the OP - do the service. My tranny just went out about 6 months ago and believe me it was a PITA to go through not to mention expensive... take care of your car and it will take care of you

david_d23

It wasn't 50 bucks, it was 250 more. The dealer is charging me 275 for the flush, or 500 for the service. Not that I am trying to skimp out here, but I went for the flush based on the tech's advice. Had he told me that I definately needed the service, I would have done that.