changing gearbox oil

[mobeyone]

Very close to getting this done but very very twitchy over who does it etc.

I have spoke to a number of garages today, some of which are adamant that the oil will not need changing.

What i woudl like to know is what are dos and donts when it comes to changing oil?

Do i ask for a full flush?
do i ask specifically for MB parts only?
Can I use any other brand of oil? Once center advises the use of the lastest shell tranny oil which is better than the oil MB uses?
How many litres are needed?
and can anyone recommend someone?

I have a shortlist of garages but want to ask around first.

Will appreciate any advice that can be given on this or alternativley, what would the stealer charge?

cheers
mobe

 

[Mambo]

Very close to getting this done but very very twitchy over who does it etc.

I have spoke to a number of garages today, some of which are adamant that the oil will not need changing.

What i woudl like to know is what are dos and donts when it comes to changing oil?

Do i ask for a full flush?
do i ask specifically for MB parts only?
Can I use any other brand of oil? Once center advises the use of the lastest shell tranny oil which is better than the oil MB uses?
How many litres are needed?
and can anyone recommend someone?

I have a shortlist of garages but want to ask around first.

Will appreciate any advice that can be given on this or alternativley, what would the stealer charge?

cheers
mobe

I had this done my George Fraser when I had my C43 and could feel the difference once it was done.

What you need to do is:

Ask them to drain the oil, including the oil that sits in the torque converter
Use MB Parts only, heres what I needed for my C43
I have been told only to use MB oil
Takes about 10l on the w202 IIRC
I can recommend George, but he's probably a bit far from you!

 

[mobeyone]

cheers Mambo.
it would be a nice drive!!

 

[230K]

Hi

I did the box on my 98 210 about 2 weeks ago, it took 7.4 litres of oil (MB) and a filter. I have a drain plug on my torque converter but have heard that from 99 on there is no drain plug on the converter. Only stipulation i would have are only genuine MB oil and filter and to do the job when the gearbox oil is at operating temperature.

230K

 

[mark.t]

Very close to getting this done but very very twitchy over who does it etc.

I have spoke to a number of garages today, some of which are adamant that the oil will not need changing.

What i woudl like to know is what are dos and donts when it comes to changing oil?

Do i ask for a full flush?
do i ask specifically for MB parts only?
Can I use any other brand of oil? Once center advises the use of the lastest shell tranny oil which is better than the oil MB uses?
How many litres are needed?
and can anyone recommend someone?

I have a shortlist of garages but want to ask around first.

Will appreciate any advice that can be given on this or alternativley, what would the stealer charge?

cheers
mobe

have a word with whitefield mercedes they did mine :bannana: if your twichey then ask them to do it should be around the £125 area :bannana: ......they may say it does not need doing ...but hey a £700 repair is better for them if it screws up later with out a change........good luck... the oil carries a charge in the gearbox someone posted on here but hey if your happy go for the shell ..i know if it an;t broke don;t fix it rules but this is prevention and qiute a few of us have done it of had it done for us

 

[panason1c]

Below is an article from an American MB site..............


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Filled for life?
The 722.6 Automatic Transmission uses a special oil and is said to be filled for life. The oil can only be purchased through the Mercedes-Benz dealer using part number 001-989-21-03-10. A 722.6 holds about 9.3 liters and the fluid is sold by the liter. Checking the fluid is accomplished by breaking off the red locking seal located at the dip stick. the lock is replaced after the oil is checked. Use part number 140-991-00-55 for a new lock. There is no dip stick to check the ATF. You need a special tool to check the fluid on all 722.6 transmissions, part number 140-589-15-21-00. The oil level is a critical factor in transmission shifting. See Service Information 27A95105 for details. When you refill, or check thetransmission fluid level make sure that you check the level with the special tool and at the correct temperature. The latest information from Germany is that we should fill the oil to the MAX line. Not overfilled, just maxed out. This is said to improve shift quality. At normal level it is possible for the oil to form air bubbles. The increased level helps to minimize this. You might want to remember to try this on customer complaints involving shift quality before you replace any component. Along with setting the adaptation you would be surprised to see how much of an improvement you will see.

The Automatic Transmission fluid is said to be filled for life. We never specified who's life. (Yes, they actually wrote that in this!-DG) The transmission control module contains a program that keeps a running count of the "calculated" cndition of the ATF oil. (Note from Gilly-I believe this was deleted from the modules right around 2001-2002, not there anymore-DG) The factors that affect the oil are time and temperature. The counter is incremented with engine running time and incremented greater with higher ATF temperatures. The Hand-Held Tester (now SDS-DG) displays a numerical value that represents the value of the calculation. At some given point in time Germany will tell us (still waiting, evidently-DG) which number means its time to change the oil. For now there is no service interval for the ATF oil. If you replace a transmission you should re-set the counter back to zero to account for the new oil. If you are doing internal work and you are replacing the oil you should also re-set the counter. It is acceptable to drain the oil out into a clean container and reuse it, provided it was collected using the MB filter funnel. Remember to flush the converter and kines before installing the new transmission. You should also replace the converter if the transmission was HEAVILY contaminated with metal. Make sure you return the converter with the transmission to warranty. Fine metal particles in the bottom of the pan are allowed. (I think what they mean here is that fine metal particles are considered an "acceptable" condition, do NOT replace transmission, as you will see if you read on:-DG)

The Color of Money:

We have been conditioned to judge the quality of the transmission fluid based solely on it's color and smell. We have no way of judging the frictional quality. The rules have changed. (didn't Iaccoca say that too?-DG) The bright red color that we are all used to seeing may not be what you see when you look at the ATF in a 722.6. The reasons that the oil looks differently are as follows:

1) The oil may appear dark red due to the graphite material that the friction discs contain. This does not change the characteristics of the oil. Do not change the oil or transmission if the oil appears dark red or even if it has a yellowish tint to it. The color will change with time and temperature. As of 10/97, the manufacturer of the oil has agreed to put more red particles in the oil.

2) If a copper color is seen in the oil pan the bushings of the front or rear planetary gear set may be in the process of wearing out. Inspect the bushings and if they are defective replace the complete transmission. If they are not defective, then the transmission is repairable.

3) If a silver color is present in the oil it may be a clutch and steels moving up and down on the hub as they are being applied. This is normal! Use your best judgement here. If the particles are fine they should not cause problems as they will be trapped in the filter. The fluid could be drained, including the torque converter, and the lines flushed and the valve body should be disassembled and cleaned, replace the filter of course. This usually takes care of the problem. If you take the time to inspect and clean each slide valve for ease of movement and base position you will have a better valve body than a new one from spare parts. In more severe cases where the particles are large, then something is in the process of self destruction and the transmission should be either replaced or repaired. Don't forget to check the electrical solenoid valves. Shine a light through the top of it and see if it "leaks". If you drop the transmission oil pan (I think they mean "remove the pan"-DG) and you find yourself feeling like a miner panning for silver, or knee deep in a graphite colored mud, then it's time for a new transmission. You may have noticed that the new pans are painted black on the inside. The metal particles show up better against a black background as opposed to the previous unpainted silver pan. You must get used to seeing some metal in the bottom of the the pan, with this transmission this is normal.

4) Smell the oil. You know by now what burnt oil smells like. If it looks burnt, and it smells burnt, then its burnt.

Example: Try looking at the adaptation values for K3. If the numbers are high, then you have a K3 problem. If the customer is complaining about shift quality going in and out of third gear, repair K3.

5) Make sure you understand the complaint before you disassemble the transmission. Use the HHT (SDS now-DG) adaptation screen values along with the shift application chart to see which shift members are applied during your customer complaint so you will know where to concentrate your efforts when you disassemble. Remember to disassemble the transmission like a surgeon, you need to observe the condition of seals, rings, c-clips and shims as well as being aware of the potential for missing parts.

Repair or Replace:

Use the transmission oil pan as an indicator when deciding to repair or replace the 722.6 transmission.

The following pictures (sorry folks, I'm transcribing the written part only, no pictures-DG) are for reference as to which transmissions should be replaced and which should be repaired.

(picture shows a black pan with some small "dots" here and there-DG) This is a normal oil pan for a 722.6. The fine particles are normal. Do not replace this transmission.

(can't tell what's "wrong" with this picture-DG) The brass colored particles may be a sign of a bushing problem. This transmission may be repaired.

(can't tell by the next picture either what the problem is supposed to be, rotten copies!-DG) The metallic sludge indicates that there is a major mechanical problem. This transmission would probably cost more to repair than to replace.

(This picture you can see obvious copious amounts of metal shavings, a pretty good coating of it-DG) This picture also indicates internal damage has been done. This transmission would be replaced (as well as the TC and flushing lines and cooler, etc-DG).

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[COUPE FREAK]

have a word with whitefield mercedes they did mine :bannana: if your twichey then ask them to do it should be around the £125 area :bannana: ......they may say it does not need doing ...but hey a £700 repair is better for them if it screws up later with out a change........good luck... the oil carries a charge in the gearbox someone posted on here but hey if your happy go for the shell ..i know if it an;t broke don;t fix it rules but this is prevention and qiute a few of us have done it of had it done for us

£125.00,, that's all in,, ie. parts and labour vat etc,,??

 

[500E]

Hello,

I got my Mercedes 500E automatic transmission done for £102.00 total (parts, labour and VAT). This is the oil change and filter change. This was done at Mercedes-Benz Bedford UK and they provide excellent service for me. Even once they found out it was a 500E - the technicians where over the moon and amazed to see a 500E, and even fitting me into a slot to do the service!!!

Amazing day, I didnt have the time to stay but they wanted to valet the whole car!

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Mo

 

[COUPE FREAK]

Hello,

I got my Mercedes 500E automatic transmission done for £102.00 total (parts, labour and VAT). This is the oil change and filter change. This was done at Mercedes-Benz Bedford UK and they provide excellent service for me. Even once they found out it was a 500E - the technicians where over the moon and amazed to see a 500E, and even fitting me into a slot to do the service!!!

Amazing day, I didnt have the time to stay but they wanted to valet the whole car!

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Mo

good price,, considering most g/box's take 7 ltrs of oil at about £10.00 a ltr,, then price of filter+gasket etc,, was going to do it myself,, but at that price it's not worth the mess on,, hope my local main dealer is as good on price,,

thanks 500e

 

[Thmsshaun]

Might give MB a call was thinking about having this done what with the gearbox oil cooler needing replacing.

The indie I go to though just said it sealed for life and wont need changing probably just a top up.

He either didnt know or doesnt want to do it just incase as MB state the sealed for life. Either way I will see if it feels different after a top up although no real complaints from the change at the minute anyway.

 

[COUPE FREAK]

The indie I go to though just said it sealed for life and wont need changing probably just a top up.

.

dont think i'll take my car for him to work on,,

 

[IanA2]

Interesting thread. I've been thinking of having all the fluids changed in the SL. The car goes well but I'd feel happier if they were all renewed, is this daft or a stitch in time?

 

[COUPE FREAK]

went to my local m.b. dealership, they quoted me £200.00+,, for oil,, parts,, labour,, am i missing something here,,

anybody had g/box oil change done for £100.00 near to where i live in stockton,, north east,, dont mind a bit of a drive,,

thought it was too good to be true,,

 

[tonks]

I'll be getting mine done next month and will let you know of the cost.

 

[Dieselman]

went to my local m.b. dealership, they quoted me £200.00+,, for oil,, parts,, labour,, am i missing something here,,

anybody had g/box oil change done for £100.00 near to where i live in stockton,, north east,, dont mind a bit of a drive,,

thought it was too good to be true,,

You'll be lucky.
The fluid is about £9 per litre then there's a filter and sump gasket to go on as well.

 

[COUPE FREAK]

You'll be lucky.
The fluid is about £9 per litre then there's a filter and sump gasket to go on as well.

only going on what 500e & mark-t reconed they had g/box oil change for £102 & £125,, as i said too good to be true,,

 

[Dieselman]

only going on what 500e & mark-t reconed they had g/box oil change for £102 & £125,, as i said too good to be true,,

Ah.

If the cars have 722.4 boxes then it's quite possible but unlikely for a 722.6.

 

[COUPE FREAK]

Ah.

If the cars have 722.4 boxes then it's quite possible but unlikely for a 722.6.

mines a 722.4 box,,