Hi: I have a 99 E320 with 145K; I had transmission fluid changed at 102K and curious if you think that having fluid changed again 40K later is a wise decision or am I spending money needlessly?
I called dealer earlier this morning and they want $330 to "flush" tranny; I thought that they are supposed to drop pan and replace filter?
They said that dropping pan only gets a portion of fluid out, thus they recommend flushing instead of dropping pan. I asked if they changed filter if you just flush and they said that they filter doesnt need to be changed, but if I wanted to I could $300 for the flush and then another $300 to drop pan and then they could change filter.
Then called another dealer and they said that they dont flush and only drop pan; such conflicting advise from the "experts"...
Just trying not to have to drop $4500 for a transmission rebuild if changing the fluid at this point might help.
Thanks
Last edited by DominicArnold : 02-29-2008 at 12:03 PM.
while they were attempting this form of highway robbery? Yours is a 99, and may well have a drain plug on the torque converter.
I, personally, would be leery of "transmission flushes"...
The filter should be changed with a transmission service, as a flush is going to push particulate matter [graphite and band/clutch material] from everywhere into the filter.
You car should not need a transmission service for another 20-30 thousand miles. When the time comes, take it to a reputable independent shop, or roll up your sleeves and following the DIY information from the forum, do it yourself.
Change the filter, as on our cars it is an actual "filter" and not the fine mesh "screen" used in some automatic transmissions.
another 20 and do the drop and drain the tq.C..MB has a very good machine however with an old tranny that waited till 100k and is now pushing 150k new filter and conventional drain will be kinder on it.
enjoy
they said that they filter doesnt need to be changed, but if I wanted to I could $300 for the flush and then another $300 to drop pan and then they could change filter.
Do not walk....RUN away from that dealer. $300 for a flush and then an additional $300 for the filter change? That is insane. As others have noted, you do have a drain plug on your torque converter. MB removed this feature on the 2000 model year.
The fluid on this model of transmission is good for about 60K miles, so you can go for another 20K. The only exception to this would be if you tow a lot, or you drive the car fully loaded a lot. The extra weight/strain will wear your transmission fluid out earlier because the fluid temperatures will run higher under strain. When it is time to change the fluid, get the car up to operating temperature, and then have the fluid drained from both the pan and torque converter. Then have the pan removed and the filter changed. This is the only correct way to do the job. I just had this done about 8 months ago, and with the 7 litres of fluid, fliter, and labour my independent mechanic charged me about $375 including taxes.
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,381
A complete gravity drain of all fluid and a new filter would be the way to go for anyone if it is possible, as it seems to be in your case. When it is necessary is a subject of some debate but I agree with the others that every 50-60,000 miles sounds reasonable.
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When I replaced the fluid and filter at 240,000 miles the filter was almost perfectly clean. Just few aluminum shavings. No dirt at the bottom of the pan neither. The only issue I've found obvious was very thick fluid residue at the bottom of the pan, that I had to wipe off.
Not likely any mechanic will do.
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,381
Ditto to Kajtek1. They have to remove the pan to change the filter anyway, so just ask the person doing it to look at the bottom of the drain pan and to wipe any residue off of it before re-installing the pan and filter.
the pan in a cleaning tub,never wipe it with any rag as a matter of fact never use anything but a lint free cloth to touch anything inside of a 722.6 trans ,it spells death if any lint gets into the system.
ohlord
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