Transmission Oil change????????? - Benzworld.org

mclaren333 · 07-21-2003, 04:01 PM

does anyone knows if I can change the transmission oil myself? I have a 2000 ML 430... I think when I bought it, the dealer told me it was a seal transmission and I have to bring it back..but I've heard some people change it themselfs.. If is possible
to change it, how many quarts of oil do I need?
Don't want to bring it back to dealer.. It costs an arm and leg...

sthu · 07-21-2003, 06:31 PM

Even if you can drain it out, I think you can get only 25% (?) out. This is due to remaining most of the trans fluid in torque converter. The magic word is "Transmission Flush".

I've heard of transmission fluid for life, but I'm doing my flush at 35K (recommendation by Pat Goss- 3yr/36K miles).

Fast Robert · 07-21-2003, 08:12 PM

as a proponant of DIY whenever possible, this was one task that I let the dealer perform.

Still have a sample of the fluid that needs to be analyzed also.

FR

mickey.1430 · 07-21-2003, 09:13 PM

your choice. I do not think you should DIY because it
entails seal, filter, tranny fluid and potential upgrades which are specific to your S/N tranny. Further, the torque converter should be drained and there may or may not be a plug on your version: they were present on MY'98 and some '99's.

The service interval does not have a consensus: numbers range from 25k to 60k miles. The, so-called, filled for life claim really means a service at 100k miles according to MBCA and to what the techs were taught in tranny class (but probably don't remember).

harder · 07-22-2003, 10:36 AM

Hi,

Yes you can drain the transmission fluid.

I have a 2002 ML320 and if you notice there is an oil drain plug located on the bottom of the transmission oil pan. It requires an Allen wrench to remove the plug. If you are doing this for the first time I would recommend that you buy a high quality Allen wrench. My oil drain plug was painted to the oil pan and it was a real bugger to get off the first time.

Use Dexcron III transmission oil, Castrol or Mobil 1 works well. You will need 4 quarts. And if you have not done so buy a Transmission Dipstick tool so you can check the transmission oil level. Warning, the cap that covers the Transmission Dipstick Tube is a real pain in the butt to get off. You have to stick a very small screwdriver up the bottom of the cap to release a clip. This will be your biggest headache. It took me about 1 hour to figure out how to get that stupid Cap off. But once I did it I discover a way to pop it on and off with ease. So I check my transmission oil every week now.

When you drain the transmission you will drain about half of the transmission oil out. So if this is the first time and you have some miles on the transmission I would recommend that you do a drain and fill at least twice so as to remove as much of the old oil as possible.

If you have over 25k miles I would recommend that you remove the transmission oil pan and replace the oil filter and clean out all the gunk that has accumulated in the pain. You can get the filter and oil pan gasket almost anywhere they sell ML320 parks. German Star works well for me.

I have been draining my transmission oil every 10k miles. The cost is nothing compared to what it would cost you to have a transmission repaired or replaced. Been there done that and I will not go there again. Thank you Volvo [:(!]. And I do not believe in a Life Time fill. Life Time fill is just a way for Mercedes-Benz to brag that thay have low maintenance cost at your long term expense.

Good Luck,

Steven [:)]

ML_wannabe · 07-22-2003, 01:25 PM

I think it would be very interesting if you could post a couple shots of the procedure.

I have never tinkered with automatic transmissions, and it is not very clear to me how to refill the transmission, or where the dipstick goes.

Do you get you front wheels up on ramps, or just crawl under the truck to do this? Finally, can you post the size of the allen wrench needed to remove the drain plug?

Regards.

harder · 07-22-2003, 01:43 PM

Sure, no problem. Just give me a few days and let me pull something together.

Steven [:)]

mickey.1430 · 07-22-2003, 02:24 PM

and made by Shell FROG. Your trucks are still under warranty so why would you jeopardize this by using an unauthorized tranny fluid?

harder · 07-22-2003, 03:34 PM

Prove that it is unauthorized.

My Owner manual has a list of Mercedes-Benz approved ATF fluids. Castrol, Chevron, Citgo, Exxon, Havoline, Texaco, Pennzoil, Quaker State, Sunoco, Unocal and Valvoline are all on the list. And I see no reason why Mobile or Redline would not work either.

Also the Mercedes-Benz warranty is only good for 50,000 miles. After that I am on my own. So if I am going to have a trouble some transmission the damage will occur between new and 50,000 miles with a failure occurring at 60,000. Where the repairs will come out of my pocket.

Steven [:)]

mickey.1430 · 07-22-2003, 06:08 PM

There is nothing in my Owners Manual about approved oils etc. Those are listed in a separate 6 page list entitled "Factory Approved Service Products" dated 04/97. There was a later one sent out as part of the letter telling the owners to use synthetic oil in the engines but I don't recall any other non-engine oil changes in the pub.

In the pub mentioned above, there is only one tranny fluid listed for the 722.6 tranny which is what is in my model whereas a number are listed for other than this model. Perhaps you can revisit your list and see if the 722.6 tranny is mentioned assuming that is what is in the '02s. Maybe MB has changed ATF requirements or you have a different tranny.