Best way to change w210 atf fluid

[sms78]

Hey guys sorry if this has been asked before but i want to have a go at changing the atf fluid myself on my 2001 w210 e320 cdi. I have the mercedes dipstick tool and was just wondering the best way to get most of the fluid out due to lack of torque converter drain plug .

I have worked on some other makes cars and they didnt even have a sump drain plug so was very messy and to drain the torque convertor you had to remove the gearbox and torque converter and tip it out Hope you dont have to do this!

I know its best to change the gearbox sump gasket and filter but is there any thing else that people would recomend changing as well while the sumps off?

Also how much fluid should i buy as you cant get it all out or can you ?

Sorry about all the questions but any help i would be very gratefull

 

[BlackC55]

1, Drain oil from sump and replace filter and gasket.
2, Fill with 3 litres of MB fluid
3, Undo left cooler pipe on bell housing one turn
4, Run engine with a drainer under the pipe (this can get messy) until the fluid runs clear (pink). This will pup out old oil from TC
5, Top up fluid and check level at gearbox temp of 80 deg or more.

Thankyou please.

 

[sms78]

Thank you blackc55

How much fluid do you recomend i buy beacuse ill lose a bit when it gets pumped out wont i ? also do i leave the gearbox in park or neutral when i loosen the pipe union ?And also do you recomend replacing anything else while the pans off ?

sorry about the extra questions but im a geek and i want to do it my self

im also swaying from being a hardcore aircooled vw fanatic into a mercedes one .im now eyeing up old mercs which is something i hadnt done before

 

[grober]

this will maybe help a bit? http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/23969-howto-change-atf-97-w210.html

 

[sms78]

Thought i might add my 100dreth post here while im waiting for couple more answers

 

[franey]

Have you got the oil and filter yet?

 

[sms78]

i have got the filter and gasket but not yet the autofluid . I have been told the stuff you get from mb is the same stuff thats in the fuchs bottles ?

 

[franey]

Yes it is. I sell the fuchs fluid normally in 8 litre packs for that gearbox.
Merc bottles, Bilstein Label, Fuchs Fluid, £54.99 / pack. £5.00 delivery for members.

 

[sms78]

how much fluid do i need ? if im going to lose some pumping it out ?and do you pump it out and dipstick it in neutral/park?

 

[sms78]

bump

 

[grober]

If you look at P of D's post you will see he drained 2-3 litres from the box followed by 3-4 litres from the torque converter. ( he had a drain plug for the TC) He needed 5.5 litres for a refill while the quoted capacity was 7 litres---- hence franey's 8 litres. Thus his 8 litres seems about right assuming some spillage and that some fluid remains in the box. You must exercise great care when refilling the box since too much fluid is as bad as too little and keep everything scrupulously clean . You will need to purchase a dipstick if you havn't got one. ( you can buy them on Ebay- make sure you get the right one for your box - box number will be in your vehicle data card at rear of service book ) The fluid is measured at about 80C since AT fluid expands when hot. Measurement should be done with the fluid hot and the engine running- cycle the gearlever thro all positions first to make sure all the valve passages are filled then measure. For an initial fill check how much fluid you drain out and replace with exactly the same amount-NO MORE initially.

 

[doddo]

Hi all, i know this is a bit old but never hurts trying, just got a W210 320cdi 51 reg, and i'm keen on changing the atf, all of it, not just the ~3.5l in the sump,
Just got my ebay dipstick and seen a green-ish oil in,
Everyone says to uncouple a certain hose after changing the filter, gasket and cleaning the sump, but i've seen, on youtube, a bloke starting the engine with the sump off, did any1 else try that?
Any tips as in why my oil looks green-ish?
Thank you!

 

[Stratman]

I'd say your oil is greenish because at some stage the wrong fluid has been used, although is it possible you're looking at the engine oil?

The transmission fluid should be the colour of cherryade.

 

[doddo]

No, i was looking at the atf, i am just thinking that 15 years ago it may've had a different colour,it does look a bit bubbly, but otherwise clear.
Am planning on a full change and flush so not worried atm, all i need is the best way to do that, uncoupling the hose or just starting the engine with the sump off

 

[Trickythemerc]

I have been 50 years in and around the motor trade and have never seen green ATF but I have seen green coolant ??? You may have a problem with the rad if it's made by Valeo they are know to be suspects for fluid crossover between the auto box and the cooling system.

 

[coalville126]

Valeo radiator issues in a W210?

Not impossible I guess, but all the W210 I've seen had Behr radiators.

I'd be very worried if my ATF is green!

 

[doddo]

It is a bit bubbly, but other than that shifts without issues,
When you say radiator, do you reffer to the box coolant, if there is such thing,(my first auto that i really care about) or engine one?
I will take it up to my dealer and ask them to have a look, will let you know, i really hope i developed an sudden colour blindness , i'm a taxi driver