W201 automatic transmission oil colour?

[Sp!ke]

Whilst giving the W201 a once over today I checked the gearbox oil level and was surprised to see how clean the oil was.

...and then this evening I suddenly thought - shouldnt the gearbox oil be a sort of redish colour? (the oil on the dipstick was like very clean engine oil - a sort of honey colour)

Am I being paranoid or should I drain it and change it sharpish?

 

[BlackC55]

Red.

 

[Sp!ke]

uh oh.... I guess I shouldn't drive it until its swapped out then.

I wonder what has been put in it?

Is it just standard ATF Dextron2 or should I use the MB secific stuff?

 

[nick mercedes]

uh oh.... I guess I shouldn't drive it until its swapped out then.

I wonder what has been put in it?

Is it just standard ATF Dextron2 or should I use the MB secific stuff?

Regular ATF will be fine for a 190E.

 

[BlackC55]

Dex II is fine. Don't forget to drain the TC too and fit a new filter and gasket. DON'T do the sump pan bolts too tight. 8NM max.

 

[Smiley]

It can go a light brown colour if it has been left in for too long - I guess a lot more than 50k miles or 4-5 years. The first time I saw it I thought that someone had filled the box with engine oil but quickly realised that was not possible as the gearbox was working fine. Get the ATF changed asap - Dexron 2 is fine - no need to buy the MB stuff (they defo do NOT make ATF). If you are planning to keep the car for a long time I would change it again in 10k miles then every 40-50k after that.

 

[jefrs]

ATF can be brown, it doesn't have to be red (brown in Fords?), I'm only familiar with the red Dexron kind. The red is a dye to stop you mixing the fluids up.

The MB fluid in the PAS/Sus is brown, but it's not ATF (unusual because PAS usually use ATF too).

ATF is the only automotive fluid that can be red: red diesel is agricultural use; recycled oils are often deliberately dyed red - i.e. not for automotive use - oils and greases for bicycles are often made from this (and are rubbish as lubricants).

 

[jaymanek]

Its just burnt, im sure it will be fine to drive but id get it changed asap... I do mine every 2 years on all my cars.