Auto Box Oil Change

[Single650]

Reading through the threads here I see a recommendation to change the auto-box oil if the vehicle has done a lot of miles.

Can this be done as a DIY job?

I've looked in Haynes and there is not a clue as to how to do the job

Can anyone help on this?

 

[grober]

theres a how to about this on a different model but which should give you some idea of whats involved.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=23969

 

[television]

It is a straight forward job, cleanliness is the main order of the day.
The fluid is now or should be changed at 60k miles

 

[HINESH12]

Got mine done for £100 few weeks back.. best to be safe.

 

[Roger Jones]

I thought that three years or 36k was the standard interval for changing automatic transmission fluid. That's what the W124 manuals say, as does the Haynes manual, although the E-class Owner's Bible says 15k. But perhaps it varies across models. It's certainly something I'd rather have done sooner than later.

 

[television]

I thought that three years or 36k was the standard interval for changing automatic transmission fluid. That's what the W124 manuals say, as does the Haynes manual, although the E-class Owner's Bible says 15k. But perhaps it varies across models. It's certainly something I'd rather have done sooner than later.

When the torque converter drain plug was deleted in around 1998-9 the gear boxes became sealed for life, Of late this has been dropped to 60Kkm or 40k miles, but most of us accept that 60k is OK.

I agree completely with you, sooner rather than later

 

[grober]

the more modern boxes tend to use fully synthetic auto trans fluids which are supposed to resist breakdown better-hence the longer service interval. Is your box a 4 or 5 speed and age of your car would help.

 

[Single650]

Its a 2000 w202 C200 which has full MBSH at 84,000 miles.

Would the MB service cover this?

 

[Glenn Smith]

I changed mine at 130000, to be honest the fluid was still very clean, but there can be problems in changing the oil, to start you will need a gearbox level stick (like a dipstick, but you don't leave it in) MB fluid is the cheapest correct type of oil, around £8 litre x 9 litres, new pan gasket and filter, later cars like yours will not have the torque converter plug fitted so you will need to drain down, replace filter and refit sump pan re-fill with oil run and change again then run and change again, other problem (not uncommon) is the pan bolts corroding in the pan clamps usually one is affected (front odd one, can't remember which side) so get a new bolt and clamp and be prepared to struggle to get the bolt and clamp off after the head has snapped off, difficult if you are working on the deck, i got mine off by drilling down the side of the bolt and tugging and levering till the clamp came off, stud unscrewed easily from box, i fitted all new screws with a layer of copper slip and a small drop of low strength loctite on the threads. also noted that the gearchange was less refined that with the old oil and took miles to re-adapt and become smooth again.

 

[grober]

Its a 2000 w202 C200 which has full MBSH at 84,000 miles.

Would the MB service cover this?

You should be able to tell from the invoices whether its been done or not. If you havn't got the service invoices, your local MB dealer should be able to access your cars service record to check.

 

[c240yaz]

I am getting ready to do mine. Bought the new cap and pin that goes on the dipstick filler, filter and gasket, but not bought any new sump bolts. Never realised that these could be a potential problem.

Still to purchase the ATF yet. Cost per litre is expensive and I am told that you can only use MB oil on the 203 auto box.

I don't have the dipstick, was going to go by the rule, what amount comes out, goes back in, as there is no sign of any seepage or leakage.

 

[Shan]

I have a W203 C200 year 2002. I have done nearly 70K km and would like to change the trans oil soon. Does it have a torque coverter drain plug? If not, how do I drain out the old oil completly before putting in the new oil?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Shan.

 

[c240yaz]

Read other threads on this subject in "Technical" and "How to" sections. The answers are all there,