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What ATF do i need ?

Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito

Active Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
886
Location
Ireland
Car
V220 CDI
I asked MB, they said sorry we don't know we just have a part number. €13.50 +vat. I asked how much to do it for me and they said about 2.5 hours ?!!:eek: At €90 an hour ? JUST to top up the atf !:( Crazy talk thats what i think.
Anyway if anybody knows is it regular or other that i need ? Thanks
Danny
 
They have quoted you to change the fluid not top it up. Very different jobs. You should never need to top up ATF; it does not get burned off like engine oil. If the ATF is low then you have a leak that needs fixing.
 
Thanks Mr Smiley, yes i am aware of the small leak but i have no time or money to start whipping out the gearbox for repairs so a top up it has to be for the moment. Still i think 2.5 hrs is a lot for even a full change.
 
It will not need the box to come out to fix a leak - more often than not it is one of the cooler pipes that has corroded and sprung a leak - in which case it is an inexpensive repair. If you leave it unattended then it may become a bigger leak and you may lose a significant amount of ATF - in which case you may end up needing a new gearbox = ££££££ or €€€€€€ in your case.
Get it looked at by a decent indi if you cant afford MB rates.
 
the type of oil depends on what auto box you have

and if you are topping up you may need a dip stick

do it your self two readings one cold one hot on dip stick DO NOT OVER FILL cause more harm then good
 
Smiley said:
It will not need the box to come out to fix a leak - more often than not it is one of the cooler pipes that has corroded and sprung a leak - in which case it is an inexpensive repair. If you leave it unattended then it may become a bigger leak and you may lose a significant amount of ATF - in which case you may end up needing a new gearbox = ££££££ or €€€€€€ in your case.
Get it looked at by a decent indi if you cant afford MB rates.
Click to expand...

Where might i find cooler pipes as i can't really see anything like that. The leak seems to be at the bottom along the bolt holes . My car seems to lose drive for a tiny amount of time causing a jerk, especially when i turn right like i drive along the road i turn right then reverse in, sometimes i feel a jerk but the rev counter stays the same and no dash lights. Most noticeable when on the motorway or over 60mph. I did notice the leak before and so i guess its low and this is my problem..of course i could be wrong:dk:
 
Ok i see the pipe its clean and clear the leak is someplace else. I think a top up will have to do if i can
 
It sounds as if the leak is occurring at the gearbox sump flange. This is often made of pressed steel and can get distorted if the bolts are overtightened or the gasket is damaged/misaligned. It might benefit from a "tweak up" with a torque wrench but the outcome is not certain and can make things worse. It does sound a bit like your fluid level is low. Get a hold of a dipstick if the vehicle doesn't have one and check the level---notice there are VERY specific instructions how to do this which you must follow to the letter. The other way is to drain the gearbox sump and measure the fluid that comes out- and compare with the manufacturers figures for that "PART OF THE TRANSMISSION!!! ". Unfortunately there will still be quite a large volume left in the torque converter which you may or may not be able to drain directly. This means that your are in "guesstimate" territory for the gearbox volume-but if its very small then that would be an indication of low fluid level. If it looks OK volume wise then-no harm done just refill with the old fluid-- which you kept in a "very clean"= spotless container of course.
These gearboxes are known to have problems normally best diagnosed with Star.


THIS MEETS ALL THE SPECS http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/New-Fuchs/TITAN-ATF-3353.pdf
 
Last edited:
I dont suppose anybody has instructions for checking the level ?

And does anyone have a mb dipstick that they might kindly take measurements for me to make my own ? Its a ZF gearbox please please please ?
 
Tomorrow i hope i can try look for the dipstick tube. My software has no info on auto box's so i have to poke about a bit. Thanks
 
Oh Stall the ball, my gearbox is 4HP20 and needs no dipper. Its an old fashioned fill to the hole type. Tomorrow i hope to check the level.

Separate to that while poking about i found a broken pipe that someone twisted on my aircon so thats another problem half sorted.( See new thread on this )
 
Thats a super document, far better that what MB supply. I checked again there is a plug there but no dipstick. My WIS was faulty and now repaired so i go he instructions on topping it up which is to warm the box and fill EXACTLY to the fill hole while idling. Apparently Mercon V is equiv to the Esso stuff
 
While ur on there. I haven't had time yet to check the level. I did phone a few places to get Mercon V. One guy said oh yes it says suitable for mercs on it, another guy said Yes of course this is Castrol Dexron 2. Equivalent i found says DT4 Redot i think what do u think ? Or would i get away with any old stuff for just a topup ?
 
This document from ZF who make the box --taken from a Jaguar forum.


To maybe give a final definitive piece of information on this, I have today, finally received an official reply from ZF GB. Whilst it is no surprise that they advise using the Esso LT71141 oil for the 4.0XK8 5HP24 G'box, I think it is worth reading their reasoning behind it.

Posted here for all to read:

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the correct grade of oil for the ZF 5HP24 automatic transmission as used in the Jaguar application. My reply is based solely on the design and technical requirements of the 5HP24. Cost of the oil is not an influencing factor, as you will appreciate; ZF also has to purchase the oil from Esso.

The design specification of the 5HP24 requires the use of Esso LT 71141 and is filled for life. There is no alternative or equivalent oil, Esso is the only supplier of LT 71141. Under normal operation, the oil is changed after 10 years or 100, 000 mls.

The transmission was not designed to run on Dexron III and if installed you run the risk of premature failure. The transmission is equipped with a sophisticated torque converter lockup control (TCC) system and the correct oil specification is critical to its function and operation. One of the main functions of the oil is to provide the correct coefficient of friction and cooling of the torque converter lockup lining during regulated slip conditions. The longevity of the lockup lining would be adversely affected by the use of Dexron III and in most cases deterioration in shift quality and lockup engagement is also experienced.

I hope these points’ help you make the correct decision to use Esso LT 71141 which will continue protect the longevity of your transmission. The use of alternative oils can only be considered as false economy.

ZF Great Britain Ltd
[email protected]


Autotransmission fluids are a minefield. You certainly want Dexron III as a minimum spec. That said Mercon V which is technically the FORD nomenclature rather than the General Motors " Dextron" nomenclature is reputedly a slightly higher spec ?? The moral seems to be - if you can source the fluid the manufacturer recommends and developed the car with together with a tested service life its best to stick to that. why re-invent the wheel. Factor in the slight difference in cost compared to the cost of repairing a faulty autobox and you have your answer.

p.s. the guy who told you that Castrol Dextron II was OK either knows nothing about autotransmissions or simply doesn't care.
 
I'm pretty sure he didn't care at all. He also said 'this is fine they are using it in everything now' . I did call the MB dealer and she said she didn't know what the name of it is 'We just have a part number' Now she did not ask me for a chassis no. or reg #. I am wondering now if she gave me the price of a standard bottle of atf and its most likely nothing like what i need. I think i'll mail them and ask for proper price and spec. Thanks for the info above too. Another BMw forum stated that castrol guarantee Mercon to be the same. Still i wonder. Seems best to try for the esso stuff
 
Okay so my atf was low it took two litres to fill. An easy job i filled it from above using garden hose and a funnel. I had a very disappointing visit to my MB dealer and i bought 2 bottles of MB atf which he assures me is the right stuff. Part # blah blah we don't know whats in it.... 30 euro for both. However my stumbling problem remains
 
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