Gearbox fluid change

[Adam230K]

I bought 2 litres of gearbox fluid from mercedes the other day because my gears started to be a bit heavy and clunky on cold starts...

Was just wondering if anyone could give me any pointers as to where the seals/plugs are for the gearbox are, and to what kind've level i'd need to fill? I bought 2 litres because i was told the gearbox only needs 1.5 litres. (Manual)

All suggestions appreciated!

 

[Dieselman]

There are two plugs in the gearbox casing. One on the side for filling and one on the bottom for draining. The allen key to remove them is 14mm.

Remove the side one first so as to not be left with a drained gearbox you cannot refill if it's stuck, then drain via the drain plug.
Replace drain plug and refill to the level of the side plug.

The car needs to be level.

 

[Adam230K]

Needs to be level... hmmm i'm gonna have to jack it up from both ends then... thanks for that tho dieselman

 

[bonithol]

My C240 Auto has done 66,000 miles. The gear change is slightly reluctant to change up when cold in the winter. Is it worth changing the Auto oil (circa £150?) or am I best to leave it alone? Work would be done by a MB independent

 

[Rory]

My C240 Auto has done 66,000 miles. The gear change is slightly reluctant to change up when cold in the winter. Is it worth changing the Auto oil (circa £150?) or am I best to leave it alone? Work would be done by a MB independent

That may be normal behaviour - it delays the changes when the gearbox is cold to warm it up quicker.

 

[momomo]

That may be normal behaviour - it delays the changes when the gearbox is cold to warm it up quicker.

This is true, but the question is does it only do it when its cold or most of the time when you're driving?

If the car has done 66,000 miles and has never had a transmission oil and filter change i would recommend you change them as it will prolong the life of the gearbox and will make a huge difference to the drive and gear changes....for the better that is!

 

[bonithol]

Thanks only when cold, and in cold weather. Otherwise it's seamless.

 

[c240yaz]

Thanks only when cold, and in cold weather. Otherwise it's seamless.

Mine is no different when cold. At 66k miles, I would change it. You will notice a difference.

 

[normanr]

I bought one of these for the gearbox and rear axle oil changing saved me a lot of time.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250265949060

 

[c240yaz]

I bought one of these for the gearbox and rear axle oil changing saved me a lot of time.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250265949060

Ok for engine oil, but I would not recommend for an ATF change.

It sucks out most of the oil yes, but it can also lift any crap from the outside of the filter mesh in the box, depositing it the last places you want it to land.

We have a larger version in the workshop, very rarely use it.

Not a complete job if you sook out the oil, and you don't drop the sump and replace the filter.

Great for the Diff though

 

[normanr]

I only use it for filling back up not sucking out.
I have a manual gearbox so I just let it drain same as the diff ,I think you will agree there is no need to suck it out.
Because I have to do mine lying on the ground I can put the tube in and pump it in and not loose some of it also it is easier than trying to do it with the plastic container and pipe supplied

 

[nickcc101]

I bought one of these for the gearbox and rear axle oil changing saved me a lot of time.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250265949060

Screwfix does similar but with inbuilt storage, bit more expensive though. Useful if you overfill auto transmission etc saves you having to drain off again.