change transmission fluid, now 3 sec delay in reverse. it was normal before. - Benzworld.org

mbnz230 · 06-07-2005, 07:20 PM

everything was normal before except that the second gear shifts pretty hard. after i change the fluid with filter, used dextron 3. usually when i shift to reverse you can feel the gear kick in immediately, now you feel it slowly kicking in. the drive gear is fine. its a little better if i shift from D and then to R. but when its from P to R theres a delay. it wasnt there before i replace the trans fluid. maybe thats why mercedes benz dont recommend DIY. did i do something wrong. i check the fluids to make sure they stay in between the arrows. i have a 96 s320 with 122000 miles. did i put the wrong fluid in or something? i used supertech fluids from wal-mart. its completely not what i had in mind after a fluid change. i thought it be smooth as silk and i get this.

Merc600sec · 06-07-2005, 11:46 PM

Hmm.. looks like you used the wrong fluid there...You should really use MB fluid..because Mummy's Best..I dont think MB recomend Dextron.. or any other type...Except in an emergency..And your words A 96 s320 with 122000 miles. did i put the wrong fluid in or something? i used supertech fluids from wal-mart. its completely not what i had in mind after a fluid change. i thought it be smooth as silk and i get this..so did you change the filter? how long was it since the last change..Looks like a reverse gear seal problem but cant be cirtain...

mbnz230 · 06-08-2005, 06:55 AM

i called mercedes benz dealer in the beginning and they said any dexron 3 would be fine. i even asked them how much per quart they said 2 dollars. yes i did change the filter. i tested it this morning its like a 5 second delay when i first shift it into reverse. so i drove it for like 10 minutes and it warm up to like 100 degrees on the temp needle. then its only like a 2 second delay. the mercedes dealer dont even carry mb transmission fluid can you believe that. this dealer is in greenland, new hampshire. i owned a 92 500sel and the transmission on that car was awesome even at 198000 miles. no problems at all. the v6's seem to have more problems than the 8's. i also owned a 95 e320 with 160000 miles the hg and water pump was bad. i bought this 96 s320 at 110000 mile, only driven it for like 10000 miles. we bought the 500sel at 110000 miles also and driven it up to 198000 miles and there was not a problem. the 500 is awhole lot better car. the s320 is a poor mans w140. anyways whats the fix? one more thing this filter i got, only 2 of the screws match the holes on the filter that i took off. the last screw i need to use a washer as an extension to hold it in place. i believe the opening on the filter match then one i remove. i hate to do this over again. but if could bring it back to the way it was i better before real damage occurs. so what do you guys think is the real problem here and what would you do?

Benz-Friend · 06-08-2005, 08:00 AM

A question I had is....are you sure you removed the two round cork gasket seals when you pulled down the old filter...and did you then make sure that the new oil filter had the cork gasket in place? Assuming that you did the above, I will add that it has been my experience that it is normal to wait a couple of seconds for the quiet thump when the tranny actually is in reverse.

Before I changed transmission oil last week in my 1991 300SL, I phoned my local dealer and was told that as long as it was dextron, it was proper tranny fluid. I then went to my local Pep Boys and purchased 8 quarts of Mobil Dextron III "for high miliage cars" and installed same. My 300SL has 145,000 miles.

NEVER be afraid to "do it yourself!" It can be fun, adventurous and fullfilling. Never beat yourself up 'cause you attempted to do it yourself.[:)]

ychachad · 06-08-2005, 02:08 PM

Why, just why, would you put 94 cents a quart walmart fluid in your Benz?????? Their fluid quality and viscosities are notoriously off, and the Benz is unforgiving. I'd drain it and add Valvoline Maxlife Dexron III or Dexron V which is what I have in my MB and Lexus. Works great.

mbnz230 · 06-08-2005, 08:17 PM

i'd probably wait till i get my new transmission filter i ordered today for 25 bucks then do it over. i should have order from them in the beginning, i got my filter from foreign auto part they gave me the wrong filter. its my first time doing this trans fluid change so i didnt know till i drop the pan fluids all over me. so i was like well the gasket fits so it must fit. i was wrong. i probably get some better fluids to put in there. the filter i put in there has only 3 screw holes on there. the one i took off has 4. i have attach a pic of the one i took off. the new one i install is not the same. i hope its just that i put in the wrong filter. the correct filter has two holes on top and the sides with some black plastic. the one i put on there i believe have only one opening on top and two openings on the side with no black plastic on both sides. basically the things i circle doesnt exist on the filter i put on there. i also got a fuel filter from foreign auto parts, MADE IN CHINA, i was like what up with that. but its for 12.95. i was trying to save a buck. i am not sure if thats what causing the rpm needle to rev up and down sometimes. thats also on order. i dont think i will order anything from them guys again. my experience, next time pay a little more get something better.

mbnz230 · 06-08-2005, 08:35 PM

sheeeeet, i am not sure if i removed the small cork seal. if not i hope its still there. (crossing my fingers) i found the pic of the filter i put on there. they gave me the wrong filter. this filter is for a 94-96 c class. looks like this but only have the big opening on top and two openings on the side. its only got 3 screw holes. it would have a job well done if the auto part guys had not screw up on the parts.

bass1175 · 08-31-2005, 03:09 PM

Did you ever fix this problem mbnz?

Simen · 09-01-2005, 03:21 AM

When it comes to oil, follow MB instructions.
Use oil 236.6 or better...
I must say that your transmission have the best oil when using 236.10, 236.11 or 236.12 oil, this is the best oil made to the new gearboxes 722.6 and newer.
The 722.6 gearboxes have life time oil, witch Mercedes found to be wrong, and now have been changing into oil service every 180 000km...

On your gearbox go with 236.10 or better, it is synthetic oil, and it is so much better to protect your gearbox.