Auto transmission dip stick for W203 C200 Kompressor

[johnsco]

Next job on my year 2005 W203 C200 Kompressor (WDB 203742) is to check out the auto transmission.
Like much else on this car, I suspect it has not been checked or the ATF changed in quite some time.
[although the transmission does function faultlessly]

On all of my several W210 E-Class cars, the little red plastic insert on the cap of the ATF dip-stick / filler tube was missing.
This car still has one intact.
I could just rip it off, but I'd prefer not to, if someone can advise me how to remove and replace it.
Is there actually any point in this insert, or should I just discard it ?

Also - I bought the transmission dip-stick for the W210s from MB - Part No: W 140 589 15 21 00.
I'm hoping that this same dip-stick is suitable for the Kompressor.
Can anyone confirm.
Thanks.
J.

 

[markjay]

The original factory-fitted temper proof tab is black. The replacement ones are red. So your car probably had the ATF replaced by dealer in the past. You can buy both the dipstik and temper proof tabs from Febi:

[Febi Oil Dipstick - 101379 | eBay

The purpose of the temper proof tab is to prevent people from trying to pour engine oil down the automatic transmission filler tube (this actually happened to a member here at a garage.....).

 

[markjay]

On rereading, you already have this dipstik, so just Google "FEBI 104483" or "Mercedes 1402700091" for the tab.

 

[W1ghty]

When you pull the top of the red tab it will snap off , the remaining insert part still works as a lock for the cap , that’s all I use (even though I have a new one )
I empty the gearbox sump every year to replace 3.5L of atf, for £28 (Fuchs) it’s cheap insurance . Normally I use a Pela pump to suck it out the dipstick tube .
That’s why I don’t fit a new tab each time

 

[W1ghty]

The 5g dipsticks are the same across models

 

[markjay]

When you pull the top of the red tab it will snap off , the remaining insert part still works as a lock for the cap , that’s all I use (even though I have a new one )
I empty the gearbox sump every year to replace 3.5L of atf, for £28 (Fuchs) it’s cheap insurance . Normally I use a Pela pump to suck it out the dipstick tube .
That’s why I don’t fit a new tab each time

How frequently do you remove the sump and replace the filter?

 

[W1ghty]

How frequently do you remove the sump and replace the filter?

Every 30-35k

 

[johnsco]

Thanks Markjay and thanks W1ghty.
You've largely confirmed my guess that my W210 transmission dipstick is OK and you've answered my query about the locking cap.
I always wondered why MB felt the need to put a locking tag in the cap ...
Well - Now I know.
I suppose you've got to cater for fools and bloody-fools (as my old works engineer used to say).
Having run three 210s - all of which did not have the locking tab - I'm not going to replace.

I am going to replace the ATF soon.

W1ghty - Do you use Fuchs ATF 4134 ?
This is the recommendation on the Fuchs website - approved to MB 236.14
The only place I can find to buy it is Amazon ... (only when I can't find anywhere else !!)
They offer it from a German supplier - 4 litre container £26.53 + £14.95 delivery (ouch).
Is 4 litres enough and do you have a better source ?
[or any better suggestions ...... at that price MB or Millers might be cheaper]
Thanks again for valuable advice.
I will soon have other questions to ask !!

 

[markjay]

Both Olly at PCS and Terry at WG used genuine MB ATF on my car. Not suggesting that Fuchs isn't good (and obviously MB don't actually make their own-brand ATF) - just putting it out there.

 

[johnsco]

Thanks Markjay
Do you - by any chance - know the MB part no for their ATF.
I've just done an engine oil change using their MB 229.5
Amazing inexpensive .... 10 litres ..... delivered from MB Newcastle for £50.

I do have another question about the oil change, but I'll not side-track this thread.
Thanks.

 

[johnsco]

Have had a look round the net and found this one on eBay supplied by Opie Oils:
Fuchs Titan ATF 4134 Mercedes MB 236.14 Automatic Transmission Fluid 4 Litres 4L.
Price is a bit cheaper .... £37.95 ... including 2-day delivery

 

[W1ghty]

Thanks Markjay and thanks W1ghty.
You've largely confirmed my guess that my W210 transmission dipstick is OK and you've answered my query about the locking cap.
I always wondered why MB felt the need to put a locking tag in the cap ...
Well - Now I know.
I suppose you've got to cater for fools and bloody-fools (as my old works engineer used to say).
Having run three 210s - all of which did not have the locking tab - I'm not going to replace.

I am going to replace the ATF soon.

W1ghty - Do you use Fuchs ATF 4134 ?
This is the recommendation on the Fuchs website - approved to MB 236.14
The only place I can find to buy it is Amazon ... (only when I can't find anywhere else !!)
They offer it from a German supplier - 4 litre container £26.53 + £14.95 delivery (ouch).
Is 4 litres enough and do you have a better source ?
[or any better suggestions ...... at that price MB or Millers might be cheaper]
Thanks again for valuable advice.
I will soon have other questions to ask !!

Yep I use Fuchs , ATF4134 ,as do MB it was factory fill . That Opie Oils price on eBay for 4L looks the cheapest at the moment . If you ring Opie I think they do a 10% forum discount??
I am pretty sure 4L for just changing the sump will do , there is about 7.5L total in the car , so a lot of members might do a second oil change to get most of it changed .
I am normally in the situation of having a 4L container with a litre in and another new 4L one so I’m never sure exactly on the amount

 

[johnsco]

Thanks W1ghty
Again - That's very helpful.
Over the years, I've done a number of fluid changes on these 5g transmissions.
In the past, I did all of these from underneath.
I have found that if you drain the sump when hot, and then leave it overnight, quite a lot more fluid comes out as the trans drains back into the pan.
Rather than fiddling about purging the converter, I just do the change more often.
I'll try Opie Oils for a Forum discount on 2 x 4 litre containers..
It costs nothing to ask.

 

[johnsco]

I found the Opie Oils website very difficult to navigate.
Too much nonsense asking me to rate discounts which have expired !!!
I found the 1 litre pack of ATF 4134, but I couldn't find the 4 litre container.
However, I found it easily via their eBay account.
I got a 5% discount for ordering two 4-litre containers.
Total of £72.10 including delivery for Wednesday of this week.
I'm OK with that.