1998c280estate
New Member
Hi all. Advice needed for my 1998 C280 Estate/stationwagen/break, r/h drive, auto box, petrol (owned for 16 happy years and counting).
I need to replace the corroded solid thin gearbox/transmission oil pipe which runs down from the top of the oil cooler beside the radiator (on the R/H side of the car viewed from inside the car), then turns at right angle to run across the front of the car behind the bumper/fender under the rad (this is where it's corroded) before connecting to a flexy rubber pipe (with metal spiral protector) which then joins back to solid pipe to run alongside the engine to the gearbox/transmission (on the L/H side of the engine when viewed from inside the car). I've ordered both the solid and the flexible pipes in case I damage the latter getting the former off (had to be ordered from Germany!).
It looks like a straightforward job (apart from rusty retaining clip), but are there potential problems I might face? Is access to the retaining clip straightforward (remove radiator cowl? easy? anything else to remove?). Is the oil under pressure? Will a lot leak out? If so, can the gearbox/transmission oil be topped up (is it "sealed for life")? Is there a risk of air getting into the system and causing an airlock? Should the gears be in "Neutral" rather than Park? Any problems I might discover too late to be able to drive the car to the garage/shop?
Any advice and suggestions gratefully received!
Many thanks!
Cheers,
John (London, UK)
I need to replace the corroded solid thin gearbox/transmission oil pipe which runs down from the top of the oil cooler beside the radiator (on the R/H side of the car viewed from inside the car), then turns at right angle to run across the front of the car behind the bumper/fender under the rad (this is where it's corroded) before connecting to a flexy rubber pipe (with metal spiral protector) which then joins back to solid pipe to run alongside the engine to the gearbox/transmission (on the L/H side of the engine when viewed from inside the car). I've ordered both the solid and the flexible pipes in case I damage the latter getting the former off (had to be ordered from Germany!).
It looks like a straightforward job (apart from rusty retaining clip), but are there potential problems I might face? Is access to the retaining clip straightforward (remove radiator cowl? easy? anything else to remove?). Is the oil under pressure? Will a lot leak out? If so, can the gearbox/transmission oil be topped up (is it "sealed for life")? Is there a risk of air getting into the system and causing an airlock? Should the gears be in "Neutral" rather than Park? Any problems I might discover too late to be able to drive the car to the garage/shop?
Any advice and suggestions gratefully received!
Many thanks!
Cheers,
John (London, UK)
