ATF topup

[rpe2]

Yes the same for W210 + W211 as they are the same 722.6 gearbox.

If you think that this thread has prompted consternation on the means of checking the oil, wait until 7G boxes become more commonplace. No dipstick tube, oil has to be filled through the drain hole!

What Fun.

Richard

 

[Mohnish]

Whereabouts are you, would think there will be a member with the factory tool near you...

Mumbai, INDIA !!! Unlikely to find a mbclub member near here !!!

...a metre(3 feet) would be enough...

Thanks...will give it a go, then compare with the MB workshop and post findings.

@ grober :
@Nik G :
Thanks for the links...will check it out.

...wait until 7G boxes become more commonplace. No dipstick tube, oil has to be filled through the drain hole!...

The end of the DIY enthusiast ??

 

[Druk]

Mohnish, if you can wait till later today I'll give you exact dimensions of the factory stick.

 

[Mohnish]

Mohnish, if you can wait till later today I'll give you exact dimensions of the factory stick.

Oh yeah, absolutely...Thanks a lot!

 

[Roger Jones]

"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."

Quite. I usually suggest that the way to tackle this job is with a surgical attitude to cleanliness.

 

[w124coupe]

Mohnish, assuming the W140589152100 dipstick is applicable to your gearbox, these are the measurements you need:

From tip to lower 80C mark - 53mm
From tip to upper 80C mark - 64mm

The instructions say to disregard the 25C marks and only check the level when hot. I have one of those "baby" infrared thermometers and 5 miles of driving was needed to get up to a reading of 80C on the transmission starting from cold. It didn't seem it would ever get there just idling in Park.

Measure with engine running and select lever in Park (and the car level!).

 

[Druk]

Mohnish, assuming the W140589152100 dipstick is applicable to your gearbox, these are the measurements you need:

From tip to lower 80C mark - 53mm
From tip to upper 80C mark - 64mm

I can only but repeat what I've said before on this. These dimensions are for a dipstick which presumes that it meets and rests on the bottom of the sump when used. The factory dipstick does not but instead rests on its angled shoulders in a restriction in the tube. Using the above measurements will get you an incorrect reading.

 

[w124coupe]

I can only but repeat what I've said before on this. These dimensions are for a dipstick which presumes that it meets and rests on the bottom of the sump when used. The factory dipstick does not but instead rests on its angled shoulders in a restriction in the tube. Using the above measurements will get you an incorrect reading.

Useful to know!

Ideally then, a factory stick is the right weapon for this. If you can't get access to one:

The factory stick plastic end is approx 5mm across the width and the "shoulder" begins at 69mm from the end and flares out at 45 degrees to become 7mm across at 70mm from the end. Looking closely at the one I have access to (well used) it has taken some wear on the shoulder and also on the tip - presumably where the tip hits the shoulder on the way down.

Hopefully someone over in Mumbai can fabricate something to match. As long as the shoulder works on the pipe restriction, extreme accuracy should not be needed as the 80C "OK" band is 11mm wide anyway.

If it was me, I would check the basic stick dip depth and then look for less once the shoulder is in place.

What's the betting we see a shot of spring curtain wire with something like a plastic 7mm washer expody'd on ?

 

[Druk]

Hope this is of use. Exact dimensions in mm taken with my trusty digital caliper (so not very exact then) from a factory fresh stick.

Total length from tip to handle is 1200mm. At least a third of this is wasted but hey-ho.

I've left off the dimensions for the 25degree segment for clarity and cos I consider it irrelevant


.

 

[SSBB]

Would anyone like to swap my W203 220cdi est for the same car with a manual gearbox!!

 

[nickcc101]

Mumbai, INDIA !!! Unlikely to find a mbclub member near here !!!



Thanks...will give it a go, then compare with the MB workshop and post findings.

@ grober :
@Nik G :
Thanks for the links...will check it out.



The end of the DIY enthusiast ??

Yes understand you would have problem but my comment was for op jasonyw

 

[Mohnish]

A concern here when making a DIY ATF dipstick :

According to members here, the factory dipstick does not bottom out on the sump. There obviously must be a reason for that...

Now if one was to make the dipstick which bottoms out on the sump, considering the engine is running when checking, is there any possiblity of the stick coming in contact with a moving part? That would be catastrophic.

Any views on this?

 

[w124coupe]

No. The dipstick tube ends above the sump pan.

 

[Druk]

Now if one was to make the dipstick which bottoms out on the sump, considering the engine is running when checking, is there any possiblity of the stick coming in contact with a moving part? That would be catastrophic.

Any views on this?

There are no moving parts anywhere near the sump bottom.

 

[nickcc101]

A concern here when making a DIY ATF dipstick :

According to members here, the factory dipstick does not bottom out on the sump. There obviously must be a reason for that...

Now if one was to make the dipstick which bottoms out on the sump, considering the engine is running when checking, is there any possiblity of the stick coming in contact with a moving part? That would be catastrophic.

Any views on this?

The problem you have with the home made sticks is that as the rod is flexible then it can be forced along the base of the sump giving you incorrect readings. With the factory tool this does not happen as the stop on the measuring part of the stick stops the stick going in too far.

 

[Mohnish]

Ok, going by all of the above I intend to go a follows:

Insert the home made stick (curtain coiled wire) a few times, increasing the depth each time, every time marking the out point until you get ATF on the end. Then, mark the oil level point.

So now you have the out point (the extent to which the wire should be inserted) and also the correct oil level. Additionally, mark as per diagrams posted by Druk.

Prior to this the oil level should be correct and to be done at the MB shop with the factory stick.

I think this should work??!!...What say?

 

[Druk]

If I correctly understand your theory it would be totally dependant on the existing fluid level being correct. Is it?

I have to say. The whole object of me going to the trouble of measuring and drawing a factory dipstick was for you to manufacture a facsimile. Why faff about with these dubious half-ar$ed schemes?

 

[w124coupe]

If I correctly understand your theory it would be totally dependant on the existing fluid level being correct. Is it?

I have to say. The whole object of me going to the trouble of measuring and drawing a factory dipstick was for you to manufacture a facsimile. Why faff about with these dubious half-ar$ed schemes?

Me too....I thought I would wait a bit and let you say it!

Can't be hard to fix something to the current home-made stick at the right distance from 2 marks representing the 80C level?

 

[grober]

At the price you could buy one £15-£30 and the price of a new gearbox £3000??? its a no brainer IMHO

 

[Mohnish]

...If I correctly understand your theory it would be totally dependant on the existing fluid level being correct. Is it?

I have to say. The whole object of me going to the trouble of measuring and drawing a factory dipstick was for you to manufacture a facsimile. Why faff about with these dubious half-ar$ed schemes?

Druk, I truly appreciate the trouble you went through, honestly. However, as stated earlier, I intend to make the end part as per your diagram and confirm the markings on my DIY by getting the oil level checked / corrected at the MB workshop. That way, I am sure the true level in the sump is correct and correspondingly shows correctly on my DIY.

Me too....I thought I would wait a bit and let you say it!

Can't be hard to fix something to the current home-made stick at the right distance from 2 marks representing the 80C level?

No the end part is not difficult, however, the distance into the filler tube is still an uncertainty considering the stick does not bottom out on the sump. Hence my double check.

I figure, better safe than sorry.

@grober: Agreed, however, its extremeley difficult to procure the stick here in India, else would not have gone through this trouble.