The Complete M271 Engine thread. ( Revised and Updated )

[AMGeed]

Just familiarising myself with the M271 engine before doing an oil change in the next few days and I noticed this reservoir with built in dipstick (black cap)
Taking a look its only just showing touch of fluid on the end of the dipstick.
Would I be correct in thinking this is the power steering reservoir?
I have Mercedes PS fluid but want to ensure that its the right reservoir.

 

[markjay]

The dipstick tube with the black cap is there to check the automatic transmission ATF level.

If you used the engine oil dipstick in the transmission dipstick tube then the reading you got is meaningless, because you need a transmission dipstick, which is different to the engine oil dipstick.

Also, the black cap should be locked with a red locking tab (to prevent nosey people from having a poke around )

 

[markjay]

This is what you need:

febi | 44204 | Locking Cap for transmission oil dipstick | bilstein group partsfinder | Official Catalogue for febi, SWAG & Blue Print Spare Parts

febi 44204 Locking Cap for transmission oil dipstick suitable for Dodge, Mercedes-Benz

partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com

febi | 101378 | Oil Dipstick for automatic transmission | bilstein group partsfinder | Official Catalogue for febi, SWAG & Blue Print Spare Parts

febi 101378 Oil Dipstick for automatic transmission suitable for Mercedes-Benz

partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com

febi | 104483 | Locking Cap for transmission oil dipstick | bilstein group partsfinder | Official Catalogue for febi, SWAG & Blue Print Spare Parts

febi 104483 Locking Cap for transmission oil dipstick suitable for Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz

partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com

 

[W1ghty]

The dipstick tube with the black cap is there to check the automatic transmission ATF level.

If you used the engine oil dipstick in the transmission dipstick tube then the reading you got is meaningless, because you need a transmission dipstick, which is different to the engine oil dipstick.

Also, the black cap should be locked with a red locking tab (to prevent nosey people from having a poke around )

The black cap , still has the black tab , which means the atf has never been changed .

 

[W1ghty]

Just familiarising myself with the M271 engine before doing an oil change in the next few days and I noticed this reservoir with built in dipstick (black cap)
Taking a look its only just showing touch of fluid on the end of the dipstick.
Would I be correct in thinking this is the power steering reservoir?
I have Mercedes PS fluid but want to ensure that its the right reservoir.
View attachment 145085

Yes the one you mean is the power steering reservoir

 

[markjay]

The black cap , still has the black tab , which means the atf has never been changed .

It's red from the factory, and black when the dealer reseals it after checking the ATF. Although it is sometimes resealed with a red locking tab ...

So if it's black, then it has certainly been removed at least once (either when checking the ATF level during service, or after an ATF change).

 

[W1ghty]

It's red from the factory, and black when the dealer reseals it after checking the ATF. Although it is sometimes resealed with a red locking tab ...

So if it's black, then it has certainly been removed at least once (either when checking the ATF level during service, or after an ATF change).

I’ve never heard that before about the red from factory , I heard it was black . But even if the dealer checked the level when new , black to me on an older car indicates it’s never been changed .
Red is the only tab used after ATF change (or check) has been my understanding .

 

[tonysmb]

Is there some confusion here?

Is the OP talking about the larger black reservoir towards the bottom of the photo (ie just 'above' the aux. belt pulley) with the 'knurled' cap? If so, it looks very similar to my power steering reservoir BUT mine's a different engine so I cannot be 100% definite.

 

[markjay]

I’ve never heard that before about the red from factory , I heard it was black . But even if the dealer checked the level when new , black to me on an older car indicates it’s never been changed .
Red is the only tab used after ATF change (or check) has been my understanding .

You are right - I got it the other way around - it's black from the factory, and red after service.

(Had little sleep last night... my dog had an upset stomach........... )

 

[W1ghty]

Is there some confusion here?

Is the OP talking about the larger black reservoir towards the bottom of the photo (ie just 'above' the aux. belt pulley) with the 'knurled' cap? If so, it looks very similar to my power steering reservoir BUT mine's a different engine so I cannot be 100% definite.

Yes he was talking about that , but in true forum style , 2 of us have gone off at a tangent . @AMGeed is clever enough to unravel it though

 

[Petrol Pete]

Remember the power steering expansion tank is a 'service item' . The filter for the P/S system is moulded inside it . Remove it , throw it away and fit a new one .

A bit like this.

 

[ToeKnee]

(Had little sleep last night... my dog had an upset stomach........... )

Did your dog eat a red/black tab by any chance?

 

[markjay]

Did your dog eat a red/black tab by any chance?

She found a discarded plate with some Italian Risotto with lots of Parmesan cheese... not good for dogs... evidently....

 

[AMGeed]

The dipstick tube with the black cap is there to check the automatic transmission ATF level.

If you used the engine oil dipstick in the transmission dipstick tube then the reading you got is meaningless, because you need a transmission dipstick, which is different to the engine oil dipstick.

Also, the black cap should be locked with a red locking tab (to prevent nosey people from having a poke around )

Thanks for that. But I was referring to the reservoir with the black cap that I now know is the PS reservoir.
All's good. Topped up with 150ml of MB PS fluid.

 

[AMGeed]

Yes he was talking about that , but in true forum style , 2 of us have gone off at a tangent . @AMGeed is clever enough to unravel it though

Don't be too sure about that w1ghty

 

[AMGeed]

I’ve never heard that before about the red from factory , I heard it was black . But even if the dealer checked the level when new , black to me on an older car indicates it’s never been changed .
Red is the only tab used after ATF change (or check) has been my understanding .

I will have an ATF change done soon. Can't see from the service printout if its ever been done.
On 131k miles too

 

[Petrol Pete]

If the car has 131K with no record of a P/S fluid change , I would replace it , not top it up . I did mine at around 100K and the stuff that came out was thin , very dark and smelt 'burnt' . It is a service item that is often overlooked, it's an hydraulic fluid that has a pretty tough life and it's a small amount that is always pressurised when the engine is running.

The one litre of so of fluid required is much cheaper than a new steering rack .

 

[W1ghty]

If the car has 131K with no record of a P/S fluid change , I would replace it , not top it up . I did mine at around 100K and the stuff that came out was thin , very dark and smelt 'burnt' . It is a service item that is often overlooked, it's an hydraulic fluid that has a pretty tough life and it's a small amount that is always pressurised when the engine is running.

The one litre of so of fluid required is much cheaper than a new steering rack .

I hate it when someone suggest a good car job that needs doing ! I’ll have to add it to my list of to do jobs .

 

[Petrol Pete]

I hate it when someone suggest a good car job that needs doing ! I’ll have to add it to my list of to do jobs .

 

[W1ghty]

If the car has 131K with no record of a P/S fluid change , I would replace it , not top it up . I did mine at around 100K and the stuff that came out was thin , very dark and smelt 'burnt' . It is a service item that is often overlooked, it's an hydraulic fluid that has a pretty tough life and it's a small amount that is always pressurised when the engine is running.

The one litre of so of fluid required is much cheaper than a new steering rack .

Ok , so we are making progress .
3L of Pas fluid ordered ( to do both cars ) along with some silicone stoppers to block the reservoir return hole and 2 new hose clamps .