ATF and filter renewed today

[sspeed]

My car has done 39000 miles and I decided to get the ATF and filter renewed today along with the Rear Diff oil..
I thought the gear changes were very good as they were but decided on a course of preventative maintenance as I intend to keep this car for quite a while..
I took my car to Ian Walker (124 Works in Kirkham) as he is very close to me..
I watched (and learned) quite a bit as he and Andy did their stuff.
Ian discovered a worn front suspension component which I have arranged to have done next Wednesday afternoon.

When the ATF / filter had been replaced I went for a test drive and all I can say is "BLIMEY".. The gear changes are smooth as silk and seamless.
Anyone out there who thinks that an ATF change is not really needed is deluding themselves..
Remember my car has only done 39,000 miles and there is a noticeable improvement to mine !!
A Big thank you to Ian Walker and Andy for their endeavours..
See you next Wednesday Ian..

 

[hotrodjon]

did my C180 a few days ago, a fairly easy straightforward job for peace of mind.

 

[ray_hennig]

Me too ..

Anyone out there who thinks that an ATF change is not really needed is deluding themselves..

My old 5 speed auto 300CE-24 had an intermittent reverse issue. When I was in the UK, I decided that I'd try a fluid change in a last ditch attempt not to get a new box. I took it to John Haynes in Worthing and was quoted a fairly aggressive price but agreed to go ahead. Within 30 minutes of leaving their place, my mobile rang and the chap told me that they'd drained the box and that debris was found. The only solution was to 'strip down the box'. This, in economic terms, was not an option.

They very fairly suggested pouring back the old fluid and calling it a day to save me £200. All credit to them.

I said no. Continue with the fluid, filter and gasket change. They did and then delivered the car back to my mum's place nearby.

3000 KMs later, the box has never failed to engage reverse. Up-changes have been a bit harsh until I found a perforated joint on the vacuum line to the box. I had an ancient replacement and, for now, all is working as new. I did need to twiddle the bowden cable to adjust upchange points but that worked as always.

Haynes used Dexron 3 fluid and it maybe MB original. Filter and gasket were also MB parts, unless I underestimate them.

So, the moral of the story is to give the fluid change a try.

RayH

PS: The car is approaching 400K Kms - 250K miles.

 

[sspeed]

My car has done 39000 miles and I decided to get the ATF and filter renewed today along with the Rear Diff oil..
I thought the gear changes were very good as they were but decided on a course of preventative maintenance as I intend to keep this car for quite a while..
I took my car to Ian Walker (124 Works in Kirkham) as he is very close to me..
I watched (and learned) quite a bit as he and Andy did their stuff.
Ian discovered a worn front suspension component which I have arranged to have done next Wednesday afternoon.

When the ATF / filter had been replaced I went for a test drive and all I can say is "BLIMEY".. The gear changes are smooth as silk and seamless.
Anyone out there who thinks that an ATF change is not really needed is deluding themselves..
Remember my car has only done 39,000 miles and there is a noticeable improvement to mine !!
A Big thank you to Ian Walker and Andy for their endeavours..
See you next Wednesday Ian..

OOps I nearly forgot..
Here is a photo of my minted gearbox sump after it had been cleaned and polished...
My suggestion of doing the same process to the total underneath seemed to have fallen of deaf ears !

 

[dulayj]

Agreed -had wifes A210 ATF replaced as preventative measure(only done 52K)-and even though fluid appeared good colour-gear changes have definitely become smoother since.PCS(olly)-did a great job.

 

[clever dicky]

I know your gonna laugh but when I did mine I thought that little 'grill' magnet had dropped out of somewhere. I knew of course and expected a magnet but why the hell shape it like that.
Looks like an important component part when its just lying in the mud.

 

[nrg220]

oil change

Should the auto gearbox be changed on a time basis or simply mileage? My C220 W204 is now 4 years old but only done 20K?

It seems to make some difference, I assume you used whatever oil met the MB standard and nothing special or used additives? Surprising that an oil change seemed so noticable to the performance afterwards

 

[Ian B Walker]

Should the auto gearbox be changed on a time basis or simply mileage? My C220 W204 is now 4 years old but only done 20K?

It seems to make some difference, I assume you used whatever oil met the MB standard and nothing special or used additives? Surprising that an oil change seemed so noticeable to the performance afterwards

I recommend 2 years or 30,000 miles. Probably not necessary but have not had a box failure yet. Additives are a no no in Mb Box's. As long as the oil spec meets 263.1 you will be ok. If you are going to do it yourself make sure you do it right. BlackC55 posted a how to. Have a read.

 

[Troon]

Had my E220's ATF done yesterday. Car's at 74k miles (just bought it) and can't see any evidence of an earlier change in the service history. If it was done, it can't help to re-do it.

Most shifts are slightly smoother, perhaps, but it seems to have eliminated an occasional jerky stumble it would have changing down.

 

[nrg220]

Thanks Ian for that, I have a guy lined up for this all I need to do is get the parts, he is a merc tech so fine and my son in law works in a Mercedes spare parts department so Im all set ...

My gearbox reference is 722640 07 044731 which I believe is the 5 speed auto, probably the same as the old W203 although my car is an early W204, 57 plate so what is this one called as a short reference do you think

 

[Olivier]

I recommend 2 years or 30,000 miles. Probably not necessary but have not had a box failure yet. Additives are a no no in Mb Box's. As long as the oil spec meets 263.1 you will be ok. If you are going to do it yourself make sure you do it right. BlackC55 posted a how to. Have a read.

Hi Ian,
2 years seems a wee little? No?
This mean that I would need it to do it again as it has been done 4 yars ago... And 40,000 miles later...