w203 auto box fluid change how to do

[tonygardner]

hi all, first thing is do i need to change the auto box fluid on my 53 reg 220 cdi ? and if so, i need to find out how much fluid, and is there a how to do , many thanks tony

 

[sspeed]

ATF and Filter change​

If you want to change it totally then this is the way..
Most garages only drain the gearbox and NOT the torque convertor..
This was copied and saved from another forum (ahem, ahem)


1. Make sure the engine is hot. At least a 20 minute road test

2. Raise the car up and drain the fluid from the gearbox sump pan. Use a 5 mm Allen key and tap it in with a hammer. They can be very tight.

3. Let the old oil drain out. As you can see this ATF is pretty dirty. Remember to dispose of the oil in the correct manner. About 3.5L will drain from here.

4. Then undo the heat shield from the right hand side of the 'box.

5. The next step is to undo the sump pan retaining bolts. There are 6 of them. Again tap the torx socket in with a hammer. They bolts can be tight and have been known to snap off. Be very careful here. About 30% of the cars we do these bolts snap off. Only attempt it if you have the ability to drill them out if necessary.

6. Start with the front right bolt and unscrew it halfway. NOT fully.
Then undo all of the sump pan bolts. Remember to hammer the socket in. Drop the pan down. Be careful as it can be HOT.

7. Remove the gasket from the pan.

8. Clean the sump pan. This is vital. It must be immaculate. Use solvent cleaner such as brake cleaner.

9. Remove the old filter and install the new one. Give it a thump to locate it. They tend to hang down a bit. This is normal. Note the locating clip.
10. Replace the sump pan gasket with a new one.

11. The sump pan bolts have to be cleaned up on the wire wheel and the threads greased with heat resistant grease.

12. Clean the gearbox up where the gasket sits, of old ATF
Put the sump back up and make sure the gasket is secure on the pan. Hold the pan up and with the other hand use a brace to do up the bolt. Only do it up lightly at first. Put all 6 in and make sure the pan is straight and square to the box.
Torque all of the bolts up to 8NM

13. Re-fit the sump drain screw and torque to 20NM.
Clean area with brake cleaner. This is so when we re-fill it we can check for any leaks.

14. Re-fit the heat shield.

15. The next step is to fill the gearbox with 3L of fluid from the dipstick hole in the engine bay.

16. The next step is to flush the remaining oil out.

Firstly remove the banjo bolt from the left cooler pipe attached to the bell housing. You will need a 19mm socket and ratchet. Discard the two old seals. Oil will drip from here so have a drainer ready. (I have made a drain pipe from an old banjo bolt that I screw in the hole. This allows the fluid to drain into a container).

17. When the pipe is secured start the engine and leave running for 4 minutes. This allows the torque converter to drain.

18. Then remove the pipe and re-fit the banjo bolt with new seals.

19. When its drained Do up the Banjo bolt tight but not too tight.

20. Fill up the gearbox with another 3L of fluid. Put the Car in "D" with the parking brake on and allow to warm up. It can take a while!
80C is the temp to check the oil at.

21. Dip the sump with the dipstick with the gearbox in "N" or "P". The highest level is the 80c one. It must be up there for the level to be correct.
You may need to top it up. You will need between 6-7L in total. Just add a small amount at a time.

 

[tonygardner]

thats great thanks , just one more thing gsf list two types any idea what one i need

 

[sspeed]

thats great thanks , just one more thing gsf list two types any idea what one i need

Two types of what??
If its fluid then you want the stuff that's for the 5 speed transmission.. NOT THE 7 speed !!!

ECP are good as well...

 

[whitenemesis]

You might want to have a read of this "How to" from this very forum! Lots of pictures
Same gearbox as yours.

 

[tonygardner]

Two types of what??
If its fluid then you want the stuff that's for the 5 speed transmission.. NOT THE 7 speed !!!

ECP are good as well...

thanks it was one for petrol the other for diesel

 

[whitenemesis]

D'oh! Forgot the link

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/howto/115863-how-change-automatic-gerbox-oil-flush-722-6-box.html

 

[Stratman]

If you compare the how-to from the "other forum" you'll find it's word for word identical to the original thread with pictures on here.

Now what are the chances of that?

 

[sspeed]

I already said that..
At the beginning of my post I said it was from another forum !
If there is one way of doing something correctly then lo and behold the instructions would be the same wouldn't they!

 

[Stratman]

Ok.

 

[johncroydon]

My oil will need doing in 8000 miles or so. With this thread and technique in mind i rang 3 local and "respected" indies to inquire whether they drained the torque convertor as well as the auto box.
None do, 2 said it's impossible without dropping the torque convertor out! Though one of them said using the above method would use 12ltrs of oil, total bill 350 plus vat!!
obviously none of them read these forums!! I have around 18 months i guess to get it done, food for thought though.
john