1998 c200 w202 5 speed automatic transmission fluid change

[montur]

1998 5 speed automatic transmission fluid change

After much deliberation i have decided to carry out a complete service of the gearbox. Most garages failed to quote for the job as they were under the impression that it was sealed-for-life but my local mercedes dealership routenely carry out service for the cost of £250+vat. This gearbox is the one with the w and s switch a 722.60 i believe it is called.

The cost so far have been:

6 litres of A 001 989 21 03 10 genuine transmission fluid (don't use anything else) £33 (got it cheap off ebay) normally would cost £63.

Measuring stick very difficult to get hold of unless you are in or know someone in the trade. I have seen these sell on ebay upwards of £40 (dipstick) A 140 589 15 21 00 £22.30. After i am done using it i will sell it but before i do i will give everyone the dimensions so you can make shift one out of wire.

Filter - this gearbox must need a service if they sell the filters for them, the filter is half metal half abs, the filter element is brillo pad type, A 140 277 00 95 £7.93.

Gearbox sump gasket - rubber worth replacing as only £5.88 A 140 271 00 80.

Sump drain plug washer - copper washer A 140 271 00 60 £0.40.

Tamperproof cap red tab - A 140 991 00 55 this breaks off the cap that covers the dipstick filler £0.40.

This should be everything i need for the service cost so far £69.82 just need to get hold a workshop to borrow their ramps and i will post step by step photo's of what it takes to carry out service.

Keep your eyes peeled shouldn't take long.

 

[big x]

If you drain the torque converter where most of the oil lurks your going to need 7 litres.About 2.7 L comes out if you only drain the pan.

adam

 

[Dieselman]

If you drain the torque converter where most of the oil lurks your going to need 7 litres.adam

Make that 7.5

 

[montur]

I went with Haynes manual specification and also checked the manual that came with the car they both state 5.5 litres so thats why i only got 6. For those who want the cheap fluid it is on sale again on ebay by user jaymunchy.

 

[Dieselman]

5.5 litres is the 722.4 capacity.

 

[montur]

thats the one i got dieselman

 

[big x]

thats the one i got dieselman

No, yours is the electronic 5 speed 722.6 !

there is a how to here http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/Trans7226Fluid

He used 7.3L

adam

 

[tamrsoft]

3.8 litres came out of the sump pan in my 722.6 tranny, unfortunately I couldn't drain the T/Convertor on mine (no plug) so I used the dilution method.

 

[Glenn Smith]

Confused as to why we 'have' to use genuine mbfluid, I'm going to use castrol TQ dexron 111 which meets the MB spec, interesting to note my local MB dealer doesn't use genuine MB oil in their workshop, they use shell 3403 m115. can someone tell me if the oil meets the spec. why I can't use it?

 

[tamrsoft]

I and most of the readers who have used this forum and have performed the ATF change on the 5-speed auto tranny have used the genuine MB fluid, I have read one thread from a person who used Dexron and had bad results, he changed back again quickly. I know that ATFs have different friction modifiers added and this obviously varies in the different ATF products, tranny designers probably design their boxes according to the characteristics of a specific type of fluid and would therefore recommend it for use in their boxes. MB fluid seems different to most ATF types and it seems logical to stick to the one they recommend when changing it. In their WIS service manual, MB also recommend Shell ATF 3403 M-115 and Esso’s ATF LT 71141 as an alternative to their own ATF for the 722.6 tranny.

 

[Glenn Smith]

I agree, mercedes recomends an ATF to MB236.1, If the oil is approved to this spec, I can use it? surely! it is likely tha MB oil can come from several different suppliers, they don't make the stuff. Also Dexron is a trade mark used by several brands of oil not all of which are MB approved. I'll let you all know how I get on with the castrol. Does everyone buy their engine oil from mercedes as well?

 

[jaymanek]

I agree with Glen, I tend to use the MB approved stuff from my local motor factor.
There is no real reason for using the MB stuff and I know for a fact that none of the dealers around me use the MB labelled fluid for services...

 

[Shude]

I believe the MB fluid has a polarised component or some additive that has magnetic qualities. This is what a parts bloke told me anyway.

 

[Glenn Smith]

polarised? thats sunglasses isn't it? or big white bears. Never heard of that one, although magnatec rings a bell.Anyway I've got some oil, mb236.1 approved so it's going in.

 

[Koolvin]

here is some pics of my ATF change:

 

[racall]

Conductor plate

Has any one changed the conductor plate? Is it a DIY job??

 

[big x]

Confused as to why we 'have' to use genuine mbfluid, I'm going to use castrol TQ dexron 111 which meets the MB spec, interesting to note my local MB dealer doesn't use genuine MB oil in their workshop, they use shell 3403 m115. can someone tell me if the oil meets the spec. why I can't use it?

The difference is the likes of Esso’s ATF LT 71141 are long life fully synthetic and the Castrol TQ Dextron III is not.
Dextron is a GM spec that is widely used for comparison purposes but has nothing to do with ZF or MB electronic boxes.
Given the small price differential and it's a job most will only do once I would go for the synthetic.
The problems occur if people put non-Dextron III oils in MB boxes for example some Ford Mercon spec ATF oils are not suitable.

adam

 

[Glenn Smith]

This makes more sense, the Castrol TQ has an MB236.1 approval, I happen to prefer to change oil more regulary so don't normally go for the synthetics, even in the engines, and i've never worn an engine out yet.

 

[Glenn Smith]

Koolvin, did you drain the torque converter? how much oil did the job take?

 

[martynljones]

Montur,
Ive sent you a PM regarding the 'dipstick'.