ATF flush/change trusted garage in Yorkshire ???

[grumpyoldgit]

Before you assume your car has no TC drain plug OP may be you could tell us what it is being as you neither mentioned it in the opening post or listed it in your 'Garage'?

Sorry if I've misunderstood your post sinewave. TC refers to 'torque converter', which is an integral part of an automatic gearbox.

 

[sinewave]

Sorry if I've misunderstood your post sinewave. TC refers to 'torque converter', which is an integral part of an automatic gearbox.

Yes matey, I know what TC stands for, the point I was making to the OP is that we need to know which model & year he has?

Later cars have a drain plug on the TC as well as the main gearbox so there is no myther with a full flush with these vehicles.

Olly's 'How To' link applies to the older 5 speed gearbox's I believe.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Sorry sinewave, guess I :fail

I think he has a 2004 C270 CDI

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Here's another to try, if it's not too far. (Don't know your whereabouts). Recommended by members on another forum.
Independent Mercedes Specialists. Skipton | Mercedes servicing, MOT & diagnostics

 

[philepo]

Yes, c270 cdi, and I'm told it doesn't have a TC drain, and mercedes main dealer have already explained that the world may indeed end if I change the transmission oil...

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Yes, c270 cdi, and I'm told it doesn't have a TC drain, and mercedes main dealer have already explained that the world may indeed end if I change the transmission oil...

I'm confused again Why would the world end?

 

[philepo]

I'm confused again Why would the world end?

Joke.
Mercedes main dealer simply didn't think it needed doing...

 

[sinewave]

Just go with the recommendations of the Garages that'll do a full change OP, simpleessss!

 

[philepo]

Just go with the recommendations of the Garages that'll do a full change OP, simpleessss!

there are none!

 

[flango]

there are none!

There are, post #2 gave you a good one but it probably got missed in all this engineering malarkey

 

[philepo]

There are, post #2 gave you a good one but it probably got missed in all this engineering malarkey

I phoned them - they said if it doesn't have a drain then they just change the pan oil

 

[philepo]

So, with no garages recommended that will do a full TC drain, I went with the friendliest, which was RH mercedes specialist in York. he changed 2/3 of the fluid with fluid meant for the 7 speed, which is backward compatible apparently.

The car drives exactly the same as before, which doesn't surprise me, as it seemed perfectany way. But... I have got used to reading posts by people who claim improvements in shift quality after a fluid change... perhaps this is just 'I've spent money on my car and it must be better afterwards' psychology!!!

 

[Harlowcabbie]

Goes back to if it ain't broke don't fix it. If your box seemed to be working perfectly before and it's no different now then I suppose you at least have the peace of mind that you have some new fluid in there. Although I personally don't see the point in only doing a partial change.

 

[philepo]

If I had a recommended garage that did do a full flush then I would definitely have gone there, but there weren't any... MB themselves don't do it, the Bradford garage doesn't do it and RH Mercedes don't do it. I also tried German Auto Care of Leeds. But there I could only ask a receptionist what they do and got a secondhand answer that didn't instill confidence.

I know what you mean about not broken etc., but I still think that 2/3 new fluid is better than nothing, could be wrong???... would be the same with engine oil or any other lubricant in my opinion. I have heard horror stories on forums about partial changes causing premature failure, but I just don't see how. Probably more likely that they had an issue to start with and changed the fluid hoping for an improvement... besides, forums are full of horror stories!

As for the thermostat change it also had: my car now reaches full temp after 15 mins / 10 miles on the motorway - that sound about right?

Thanks for all the suggestions, but unfortunately it seems like the only place to get this job done properly is blackc55's place in Portsmouth! Wish I lived closer

 

[flango]

If I had a recommended garage that did do a full flush then I would definitely have gone there, but there weren't any... MB themselves don't do it, the Bradford garage doesn't do it and RH Mercedes don't do it. I also tried German Auto Care of Leeds. But there I could only ask a receptionist what they do and got a secondhand answer that didn't instill confidence.

I know what you mean about not broken etc., but I still think that 2/3 new fluid is better than nothing, could be wrong???... would be the same with engine oil or any other lubricant in my opinion. I have heard horror stories on forums about partial changes causing premature failure, but I just don't see how. Probably more likely that they had an issue to start with and changed the fluid hoping for an improvement... besides, forums are full of horror stories!

As for the thermostat change it also had: my car now reaches full temp after 15 mins / 10 miles on the motorway - that sound about right?

Thanks for all the suggestions, but unfortunately it seems like the only place to get this job done properly is blackc55's place in Portsmouth! Wish I lived closer

TMS in Kirkham near preston definitely do it, Ian Walker the owner is a member on here and they are a forum advertiser/sponsor. Nearer than Olly for you

 

[johnsco]

A couple of points here:

1. Many MBs never get an auto-trans fluid change, and run well for many years.
MB main dealers said for many years that cars were "filled for life".
I don't think they say that now, but there clearly is little enthusiasm to do the job.
I get the impression that the same is true of some other garages.
There is a fear that they will do the job, drain the ATF, drop the pan and (hopefully) clean it out, change the filter, perhaps drain the TC, re-fill, take every-possible care, cross their fingers and hope that all is well.
The chances are that in 50% of cases, there will be little perceptible difference.
(Sigh of relief).
In perhaps 20% of cases, the changes will be sweeter and the customer will be pleased.
In a small number of cases, the box will become troublesome shortly after the change
and the arguments will begin.
Was it caused by the ATF change ??
Would it have happened anyway ??
Well ... Who knows ?

2. I have done my own changes over many years.
I drop the pan once, clean it thoroughly and change the filter.
If the TC has a drain plug, I drain it once.
If it hasn't, I then change the fluid rather more often and I do not drop the pan or change the filter a second time.
Unless you have really-clean conditions, there is always a risk when dropping the pan of an auto-trans ... They will not tolerate any contamination due to grit, etc.
Changing the fluid that bit more often (imho) takes care of the contents of the TC that you do not drain.

3. When I change the engine oil on my E300TD, I do not drain the oil cooler.
There is a significant amount of old engine oil that does not drain.
Do it regularly ... All should be well.

4. I am surprised that Rodley Motors said they did not drain the TC.
In my post #2, I said they will do exactly what you ask them to.
That has always been my experience.
They have recently done two substantial jobs for me.
I told the owner (Richard) exactly what I wanted doing.
We agreed who's parts to use (some from MB and some from ECP).
I even supplied some of the parts myself which they fitted while they were doing the job.
I've used them for 35 years, and they are one of the few garages I would trust to work on my vehicles.
It goes without saying that I would trust TMS and Olly to do any work for me.
They are a long way from me, but Rodley Motors are close by.

 

[philepo]

A couple of points here:

1. Many MBs never get an auto-trans fluid change, and run well for many years.
MB main dealers said for many years that cars were "filled for life".
I don't think they say that now, but there clearly is little enthusiasm to do the job.
I get the impression that the same is true of some other garages.
There is a fear that they will do the job, drain the ATF, drop the pan and (hopefully) clean it out, change the filter, perhaps drain the TC, re-fill, take every-possible care, cross their fingers and hope that all is well.
The chances are that in 50% of cases, there will be little perceptible difference.
(Sigh of relief).
In perhaps 20% of cases, the changes will be sweeter and the customer will be pleased.
In a small number of cases, the box will become troublesome shortly after the change
and the arguments will begin.
Was it caused by the ATF change ??
Would it have happened anyway ??
Well ... Who knows ?

2. I have done my own changes over many years.
I drop the pan once, clean it thoroughly and change the filter.
If the TC has a drain plug, I drain it once.
If it hasn't, I then change the fluid rather more often and I do not drop the pan or change the filter a second time.
Unless you have really-clean conditions, there is always a risk when dropping the pan of an auto-trans ... They will not tolerate any contamination due to grit, etc.
Changing the fluid that bit more often (imho) takes care of the contents of the TC that you do not drain.

3. When I change the engine oil on my E300TD, I do not drain the oil cooler.
There is a significant amount of old engine oil that does not drain.
Do it regularly ... All should be well.

4. I am surprised that Rodley Motors said they did not drain the TC.
In my post #2, I said they will do exactly what you ask them to.
That has always been my experience.
They have recently done two substantial jobs for me.
I told the owner (Richard) exactly what I wanted doing.
We agreed who's parts to use (some from MB and some from ECP).
I even supplied some of the parts myself which they fitted while they were doing the job.
I've used them for 35 years, and they are one of the few garages I would trust to work on my vehicles.
It goes without saying that I would trust TMS and Olly to do any work for me.
They are a long way from me, but Rodley Motors are close by.

Completely agree about potential for contamination... that is a big concern - perhaps why even with black oil it can sometimes be best to leave well alone???

To be clear, when I phoned Rodley Motors I asked them if they could drain the TC if it didn't have a plug and they said no. What I didn't do is tell them how to do it because I imagine a lot of mechanics would say yes, just for the sake of getting the job...and I would never know if they had actually done it (slightly paranoid, having had fingers burnt before!).

The reason I went with Richard Hollings was because he seemed very straight and didn't pretend to agree with the flushing method (even though I would have preferred it).

Thanks for the suggestions, cheers