W220 gearbox - sealed for life

[television]

i think the us machines inject a fluid into the cooling lines and then all the dirt comes out and is separated into a tank in the machine... not sure but it seems a good idea..

As we know how much fluid is held by the cooler and torque converter, say 3.5 liters, by injecting the same 3.5 liters of new fluid in then that will have pushed out all of the old, and the would be no harm in wasting ½ a liter to be sure, that way would work well.

 

[mark_le_b]

Oddly enough, since the gearbox oil change a week ago things seem to have smoothed out. Hope not wishful thinking on my part........maybe an easing in period??
Anyway, hope no more jerky down changes!

 

[280gee]

Judging by the look and smell of the drained fluid at a recent ATF change on a S210 I'd say that it was very definitely a worthwhile thing to do.

 

[Wezzel]

I too had been fooled by the "sealed for life" bullsh*t. My car had reached something like 150k miles without a fluid change.

As the torque converter could not be drained I had the oil and filter changed by an indie (Star Motors in Reading) and then again only a few months later. I will probably get it done again this year too so any old oil in the system gets more and more diluted.

Star Motors are very reasonable. I can't remember the cost but I don't think it was more than £100 or so.

 

[television]

I too had been fooled by the "sealed for life" bullsh*t. My car had reached something like 150k miles without a fluid change.

As the torque converter could not be drained I had the oil and filter changed by an indie (Star Motors in Reading) and then again only a few months later. I will probably get it done again this year too so any old oil in the system gets more and more diluted.

Star Motors are very reasonable. I can't remember the cost but I don't think it was more than £100 or so.

Star motors are very good, and a very helpful guy runs it

 

[television]

With further thought on changing the fluid, A small paint pressure pot that would hold 4 liters of fluid would do the job well , with only a pipe with a union to fit the cooler, you would just couple up and pressurise the pot and all done.

Who is going to be the first to offer this service

 

[Satch]

As already stated "Sealed For Life" transmissions amount to one of the most cynical ploys to reduce the three or four year running costs. It beggars belief that anyone in the motor trade still trys to hold up such nonsense.

A great many tranmission failures are linked in some way to broken down or contaminated ATF. In the US where autos are the norm fluid and filter changes are considered regular service items: 2/3 years or 24/36,000 miles.

BTW heat is the main killer. In very rough terms every 10C increase above a nominal 85C operating temperature cuts ATF life in half. Full synthetics fare better but still suffer. Take note if you tow or are prone to a heavy right foot.

However, lot of confusion and conflict as to the best way to flush out a transmission. Makers of the various machines claim they are all wonderful but some are not so sure.

 

[GrantA]

I posted this http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=45787 yesterday. My advice is to get the fluid changed asap.

Grant

 

[momomo]

If anyone is looking to do it themselves this a good tutorial and is quite helpful i guess if you have no idea whatyou are doing.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/Trans7226Fluid

 

[rajinder_1]

I definately reccomend the ATF change, i had my 2001 129 done today and the difference is so noticable straight away you can feel a much smoother gear flow..
it doesnt seem like a difficult job but i think the easiest way is on a ramp.

( and the official MB time on chaning ATF is now 37,500 miles i asked the guy who done my ATF change who is a MB technician )

Raj