Filled for life auto gearbox oil change

[philepo]

Hi

I have a c180, yr 2000, 5 sp auto with 120K on the clock and has never had the g/box ATF changed.

For peice of mind I would like to get it changed (by a garage, not me) but after reading lots of threads and phoning a couple of garages it seems that it would only be pos to change 1/2 or a 1/3 even of the ATF as there is no drain for the torque converter.

Is this worth it?
Also, as it has done 120K and is running fine, might I cause problems by 'disturbing' the box now?
Any trustworthy garages in Yorkdhire who can do this????

 

[bennesspipers]

You really ought to get it changed,any MB should have its autobox atf done at 100 thousand. There is a new Indie about to open in S.Yorks , Flanaia1 is part owner,think its due to open about christmas,near Rotherham. When you've got 30 posts you'll be able to PM him through this forum.

 

[Roger Jones]

Not sure what to regard as the best change interval on supposed "filled for life" boxes, but on the older cars it's 36k or three years. If you do get it done, request a sample of the old stuff and tell us what colour and transparency it has. Keep us posted anyway.

 

[Olivier]

Time for an oil change... This is no more for life, it need to be changed at about 40,000 I think...

 

[SilverSaloon]

from what i read on here, many drain the TC by removing one of the cooler pipes and spinning the engine for a second or so to pump out the remaining oil after draining the 'pan when there is no torque converter.

i'd definatly look at getting it changed if you intend to keep the car for the next few years.

 

[philepo]

Thanks for the replies. I've read on American MB sites (this one's sister site?) of lots of early failures after changing the fluid and many seem to be of the opinion that once its been left this long then best leave alone (and would MB risk filled for life if they weren't confident this was ok).

Heard of any early failures after ATF change?
Good Yorkshire garage anyone????

 

[Rovinghawk]

would MB risk filled for life if they weren't confident this was ok.

It's ok enough for the warranty period. The 'filled for life' was for accountancy reasons, not engineering. My supercharger was 'filled for life' but I changed it at 100k; same with my gearbox & differential.

Heard of any early failures after ATF change???

Nothing that wasn't due to lack of changing earlier, ie would have failed anyway.

Filled for life, refilled for longer life.

RH

 

[clk208]

There does seem to be quite a few occasions where people have changed the fluid and had a gearbox failure shortly aftwerwards - I remember the C43 that Mercedes Enthusiast magazine had going that way in an article last year.

Didn't stop me having mine done earlier this year but there is still an element of keeping fingers crossed!!

 

[johnsco]

I can recommernd Rodley Motors in Bradford.
I do pretty-much all my own work.
However - I've used them for over 30 years.
I bought my E300TD from their proprietor.
He changed the ATF in the Auto-Trans while he owned it.
It still runs fine at 130k miles.

"Filled for Life" is a nonsense.
I would definitely change it.

 

[sspeed]

Definitely change it..
Mercedes no longer recommend sealed for life policy. They now advise to change at 40,000 miles.
I had mine done and the up shift was significantly smoother. Make sure you have the filter done at the same time.. (There is a replaceable ATF filter thats accessible once the Auto gearbox sump is removed).

 

[Nasco12]

Ollie (he posts here as Black C55 - or is it C55 Black?) will change the ATF (including the Torque Converter - he has a special technique) for a fixed fee. He did mine at the beginning of the month. Can't say I noticed any difference (even though this was the first change in 130,000 miles) but it's probably worth doing.

He's in Portsmouth by the way.

 

[Deadhead]

IIRC MB now suggest that this fluid is changed at 60000 kilometres - ie 37500 miles.

 

[BlackC55]

IIRC MB now suggest that this fluid is changed at 60000 kilometres - ie 37500 miles.

I think that's in the 722.9 box. The OP has a 722.6 but no harm in doing it then.

I recommend every 40,000 miles.

 

[bennesspipers]

Why not come to a GTG, & meet some of the guys


:bannana: Sherwood Forest GTG Sunday December 13th :bannana:

 

[philepo]

Thanks for all the replies. I am tempted to get it done though the following is nagging my head:
some reports of failure shortly after ATF change on high mileage cars
car is worth 1500 quid so is that economic sense when it seems to work fine?
a trustworthy garage is v v v hard to find! (unless its in Portsmouth)

 

[bennesspipers]

See post 2, Ian's a good guy




:bannana: Sherwood Forest GTG Sunday December 13th :bannana:

 

[masmas]

after reading this thread,i phoned mercedes about gear box oil change,they told me my car has a sealed unit.95 sl 320 42k.cheers

 

[st4]

after reading this thread,i phoned mercedes about gear box oil change,they told me my car has a sealed unit.95 sl 320 42k.cheers

change it anyway, a decent independemt specialist will do that for you

 

[SilverSaloon]

after reading this thread,i phoned mercedes about gear box oil change,they told me my car has a sealed unit.95 sl 320 42k.cheers

typical dealer gumph.

it still can be drained and changed.

 

[jaymanek]

load of tosh..

On a 1995 im pretty sure the torque convertor can also be drained.