Roger Jones
Active Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2006
- Messages
- 824
How do you know that your dipstick is accurate? It would be surprising for a car with 21k to need topping up.
Checking ATF level is an exacting procedure. You'll probably find precise instructions elsewhere on this forum, or elsewhere on the net, e.g.:
How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid | eHow.com
Checking ATF level is an exacting procedure. You'll probably find precise instructions elsewhere on this forum, or elsewhere on the net, e.g.:
How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid | eHow.com
did you measure when hot or cold.. if cold it will be between 1-2cm.
That means it OK, yes it had been standing in the garage for a number of days.
Thanks.
Curious, how did you make the dipstick, I'd like to make one myself.
Thanks in advance.
curtain hanging wire is the favourite.
Thanks...so would say 5 feet in length be good ?
Druk
Gone but not forgotten - RIP
- Joined
- May 28, 2004
- Messages
- 5,300
- Location
- Not far from Edinburgh.
- Car
- 2011 S212 E350CDi. 1981 R107 300TurboDiesel.
Dont make a dipstick from anything. If you dont have a pukka factory stick get it checked by someone who has. There is far too much at stake to mess about.
I appreciate you concerns and share the same, Druk. However, access to a dipstick in Mumbai amounts to getting a service appointment from the MB workshop and then leaving the vechicle with them the entire day etc etc at the end of which you have a list of things which according to them need attention etc.
As I work on my vehicles my self (atleast the basic things like Engine Oil / Filter change, ATF / Filter change) I need a simple way to "check" the level.
Hence, figured should get suggestions from jasonyw & jaymanek as they seem to have gone down that path.
Will keep your suggestion in mind however and thanks for the same.
On that thought, why did MB, in the first place, stop providing the ATF disptick from W210 onwards?
Druk
Gone but not forgotten - RIP
- Joined
- May 28, 2004
- Messages
- 5,300
- Location
- Not far from Edinburgh.
- Car
- 2011 S212 E350CDi. 1981 R107 300TurboDiesel.
The removal of the dipstick came with the concept of 'sealed for life' gearboxes. What's most annoying is that they will sell you a filter, gasket and oil but not the means to check the level.
There are measurements for making your own dipstick but I can tell you they dont include the 'shoulders' the factory item has which determines the depth to which it goes into the tube and therefore (imho) you have a false level reading.
There are measurements for making your own dipstick but I can tell you they dont include the 'shoulders' the factory item has which determines the depth to which it goes into the tube and therefore (imho) you have a false level reading.
'sealed for life' is a concept which I do not agree with at all. I have recently changed the ATF on my E220 CDI and the entirre gear process is a while lot smoother.
A contradiction in itself, isn't it? If its sealed for life...
Any idea where I could access these measurements you refer to? Also, once my DIY dipstick is ready, I intend to take that appt. with MB and get the level checked and immediately repeat the same with my DIY for calibration. That should work....hopefully!
Seriously, we here should work on getting a reasonably reliable DIY for this job considering a lot of us are DIYs and ATF is something that cannot be neglected.
Another interesting observation...You have an in dash display that checks the engine oil level (+ a mechanical dipstick) but not the ATF (no mechanical dipstick)...wierd!!!
nickcc101
Active Member
Whereabouts are you, would think there will be a member with the factory tool near you who would help. You would then find out how good your homemade dipstick is.
Read it somewhere after a run it should be at 5cm and if you leave it stationary for a few days it should be 1 or 2cm. You don't need a 5 feet dipstick, a metre(3 feet) would be enough.
I bought a new red key for the filler cap for £1 at Merc dealer realised I don't need it, as if I push it out it will drop down below and reused it again.
grober
MB Master
The problem is auto transmission fluid expands as it heats up so to get the correct level measurement the fluid has to be hot--- 80C comes to mind. Mercedes recommend the fluid temperature should measured with a probe prior to checking the level. The same effect can be achieved by driving 10-15 miles prior to level measurement to make sure the fluid is hot. The level should be measured with the engine running and after briefly cycling the gear selector lever briefly thro all its positions. This makes sure all the fluid galleries are filled and an accurate working level can be measured.
Its not as simple as dipping the engine oil!! An automatic gearbox can be damaged by overfilling since too much fluid leads to frothing and air entrainment which has the same disastrous consequences as too little fluid. As others have said its best to get the correct tool for the job since gearbox failure is very expensive. I have a feeling you can buy such an aftermarket tool on Ebay. If you know the number of your gearbox and type in dipstick,transmission, mercedes you may find something. these are made by KINETIK mercedes dipstick transmission, Cars, Parts Vehicles items at low prices on eBay.co.uk
Its not as simple as dipping the engine oil!! An automatic gearbox can be damaged by overfilling since too much fluid leads to frothing and air entrainment which has the same disastrous consequences as too little fluid. As others have said its best to get the correct tool for the job since gearbox failure is very expensive. I have a feeling you can buy such an aftermarket tool on Ebay. If you know the number of your gearbox and type in dipstick,transmission, mercedes you may find something. these are made by KINETIK mercedes dipstick transmission, Cars, Parts Vehicles items at low prices on eBay.co.uk
Hi all,
New here and have been looking through the atf posts. Great forum.
Anyway, this place does original auto dipsticks too:
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&sku=w140589152100&Search=Go&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&option=com_virtuemart
MB part number is W140589152100.
I was considering making my own dipstick but it only takes the smallest fragment of dirt to get in to the autobox and it can cause havoc.
It's flushing all the fluid out which is going to be more tricky...
New here and have been looking through the atf posts. Great forum.
Anyway, this place does original auto dipsticks too:
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&sku=w140589152100&Search=Go&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&option=com_virtuemart
MB part number is W140589152100.
I was considering making my own dipstick but it only takes the smallest fragment of dirt to get in to the autobox and it can cause havoc.
It's flushing all the fluid out which is going to be more tricky...
You're lucky. The "MBMan" decided that our 7G gearbox should not even have a dipstick tube - keep those pesky customers at bay!
There's now an overflow pipe in the pan that is set for the correct level at 30C (measured on Star) and the use of a filling adaptor and some faffing - all from underneath!
There's now an overflow pipe in the pan that is set for the correct level at 30C (measured on Star) and the use of a filling adaptor and some faffing - all from underneath!
Is the auto dipstick the same for W210 and for W211?