Is your heart set on Febi?

I'm running this at way less than $11 a liter...

http://www.corriboil.com/uploads/documents/ATF%20134%20(Pdf).pdf

 

dude, 236.14 fluid can be bought for $5/liter, add says pennzoil but it is actually shell 134 fluid. Auto Transmission Fluid Shell 134 for Sprinter, 5080660, Pennzoil

 

mb 236.10 fluid was made by shell so it is shell 3403, and is also the only fluid approved by mb as meeting 236.10 specs even though it's probably just regular synthetic dex3h fluid. http://www.shell.com/static/tw-cn/downloads/shell_for_motorists/oils_lubricants/atf_3403_m115_eg.pdf
febi 236.10 fluid is not on mb's list, but has been used as replacement for 236.10 fluid for a long time by many indy shops and even dealer sites sell it (rmeuropean for example). febi claims it meets 236.10 specs and it is a fully synthetic fluid, even carries mb 236.10 part # 001-989-21-03-10. napa carries it at $11/liter. NAPA AUTO PARTS)

 

My point is, even though it is listing it as a MB part# which corresponds to the 236.10 fluid, it IS NOT!! It is Sheet 236.12. The 236.12 fluid is plentiful...

My quest, though is for the "Real Deal" 236.10 ATF.

Your Reference to the 3403-M115? I've even had a Shell Rep looking at the same Spec Sheet, and they SWEAR that ATF doesn't even show up in their system.

 

Hey, G, G here.

IIRC MM's fluid change was with the 236.12 fluid and he had zero issues. I know you had issues with the .14 fluid, but they are different compounds.

You might try PM'ing him to confirm if he got the .12 fluid, though I don't know if that would give you the comfort level you're looking for.

OTOH, if the Febi-Fuchs is what everyone has been buying and using (that have been discussing it on the forum, anyway), then that would also reinforce that the .12 is a suitable fluid for the 722.6xx.

Good luck.

 

...IIRC MM's fluid change was with the 236.12 fluid and he had zero issues...

That's correct, my 1st partial change @ 59,000 was with 236.12 fluid. Had I known better at the time I would have found a way to have them use 236.10. Now I have more 236.10 in there as of the 90,000 service. As you recalled correctly, I had zero issues during the intervening miles and the Blackstone report looked very good too.

 

We have a blender that formulates 236.10 ------how many tank cars do you need!!

 

I am in similar if not the exact same situation. I was looking for the old ATF, 001-989-21-03-10 and all I could find was 001-989-68-03-13. I do prefer original MB fluid.

I am about to give up and will probably use the new fluid.

Please refer to my thread for some advices from other experts: 722.6 ATF - MBWorld.org Forums

 

I don't know if Voltronic is available there, but this was what I used during my last ATF change. No issues so far.

VOLTRONIC - Lubricant, Additive, Coolant, Grease, Car Care and Chemical:

 

Tirona,

I'm sorry to keep kicking the dead horse, but I had a look at your Febi reference....

There is nothing in their literature that says it is the 236.10 fluid.

The Febi lists the 22806 fluid as a "Universial ATF" and uses the terminology "Recommended Applications" 236.1, 236.6, 236.7. 236.9, 236.10.

This doesn't exactly sell me on the concept that it is truly the 236.10 fluid in a different bottle.

I think unless somebody can prove me wrong..... I believe the 236.10 is NO LONGER AVAILABLE WORLD-WIDE.

I guess what really surprises me is, how keep reading on this forum about how one needs to put ONLY the 236.10 fluid in "High Mileage" Transmissions, yet the ATF is not even Available!

I have also read the link from MIS3.

I think I am going to stop trying to Second Guess the M-B Engineers, and just go to the 236.14 Standard. It is obviously clearly deliniated in the Service Bulletin.

Thanks for the input, all.

 

Tirona,

There is nothing in their literature that says it is the 236.10 fluid.

that is correct because it is not approved by mb. sorry, i should have mentioned that febi claims to meet the spec, and doesn't carry the mb approval. other than shell 3403 (extinct), no other fluid is approved by mb as a 236.10.
you might still be able to find mb 236.10 fluid at autohausaz or bmaparts as they still list it on their site, give them a call to see if they have.

I think I am going to stop trying to Second Guess the M-B Engineers, and just go to the 236.14 Standard. It is obviously clearly deliniated in the Service Bulletin.

g, didn't you use 236.14 previously? what was your impression? i have put mb 236.14 fluid in my e320 gearbox when replacing conductor plate 3 years ago, and now i'm approaching 250k miles, and to tell you the truth i cannot tell a difference with the prior fluid. prior fluid could have been 236.10 or .12, i didn't pay attention what i bought at the dealer because at the time all i knew is that i needed to use mb fluid only. if i get to replace the fluid filter this summer i will give febi atf a try.
in my s320 i put maxlife atf after hearing success stories of loubapache and other members. still couldn't tell a difference between new and old fluid. seems like cleaning pan and putting fresh fluid and filter is more important than .10, .12 or .14.

 

Hi G-AMG

I am surprised since looking at you DIY (transmission related), I saw you've been using MB 001-989-68-03-10. Did you have problem? What caused your concern? If it's been working well for you why would you have doubt?

Regards,

 

I have used the whole spectrum of 236.10, 236.12, and 236.14 on my various posts.

I'm not basing my experience on anything "scientific", other than what my Butt feels... and my Butt senses that the 236.10 fluid shifts a tad bit smoother than the others.

Thus, my quest for the Holy Grail of "Real Deal" 236.10 fluid.

The last collection of the M-B 236.10 came via AutohausAZ... but it looks like they are out of stock.

If Pluto can produce a vendor (other than his Home-Brewed Hooch he offered), I'd be a happy man....

 

I think unless somebody can prove me wrong..... I believe the 236.10 is NO LONGER AVAILABLE WORLD-WIDE.

WRONG

 

WRONG

Other than your "Wasting Away Again in Margaritaville" Blender, where else do you have access to the ATF?

 

Oh and I guess I was lucky to have found 236.10 shortly before AutohausAZ ran out of stock.

 

I, for one, am going with the new fluid.

To the OP, even if you can get the old fluid now, you will go through the same agony next time.

 

G-AMG,

You are the one with the experience using 236.14 fluid, you should know better than most of us. By the way Ryder is selling Shell 134 (which is 236.14) at ~ $65 a case ($5.++ a quart).

and mis3

Still I think 30k miles interval is way too early. My sister 99-E320 is at close to 180,000 miles now and still on the initial fluid. It shifts nicely, but the only concern I have is how much longer the tranny will last. She will not listen to me to service it at about 60-70,000 miles

Mine 98-E320 fluid (changed 80k, now 129k) which has about 50k miles on it still feels, looks and smells like new - I used the OEM MB 236.10 fluid.

I only had about 3000 miles on my 2003 E500 using Valvoline Maxlife. However, I noticed smoother shifting after doing the complete drop pan, and yumling flush.

Good luck

 

By the way Ryder is selling Shell 134 (which is 236.14) at ~ $65 a case ($5.++ a quart).

Actually, I had my eye on this bad boy... ;-) Ha Ha

Shell ATF 134

 

Valvoline MAX LIFE seems like it has the exact same spec as ATF 3403 = 236.10

 

good news g, found some mb 236.10 for ~$10 on deutsch ebay (hopefully no one buys it), but unfortunately fluid is located in austria and not sure if seller will ship to usa. seems like seller has 15 bottles available.
Mercedes Benz Original Getriebeöl ATF 236.10 - 5-Gang Automatikgetriebeöl | eBay

 

I did the pan flush yesterday. I drove for about 40 KM after the change.

The transmission does feel better. My transmission was smooth before the change and it feels even smoother now. To go from P to D used to create a thud noise and it's now significantly less.

Afte the change, I used the shifter to change gears manually (5-4, 4-3, 4-5, etc) and they all went great. When I shifted from 4-5 and 5-4 manually, I saw the RPM change but I could hardly feel anything.

I cannot tell you the long term effect in mixing the 2 fluids but right now I am loving it.

I am debating if I should do a 2nd pan flush to push in more new fluid.

 

...I am debating if I should do a 2nd pan flush to push in more new fluid.

I think that's what I would do but then the question remains, how soon?

 

I am looking for the old fluid for the longest time because I prefer not to mix the 2 fluids in the transmission.

Not now I have given up on the old fluid, I was planning to do the pan flush twice (with 1-2 days in between flushed) so I have more of the new fluid in the transmission.

Now after the 1st flush, I am not sure if I should go for the 2nd flush after 2 days because the car runs very well.

 

I agree that mixing the fluids might not be the best situation, but since everything seems fine now, why don't you drive it that way for a while, say 1000 miles, to see how it behaves?

 

Glad that it's working well for you, so yours maybe a successful story using mixed 236.14 and 236.10 fluid.

To me mixing old and new may not be the best solution.

Since your filter is just changed, you can just siphon it some out, then add back what ever you took out. Easy enough, a few iterations and your fluid will mostly be fresh.

 

Frankly, I was nervous before the pan flush. Glad it works out good.

The indie has the Star Scanning software. Can he use this to measure the tranmission fluid level and the motor oil level?

 

You do not need Star for engine oil level the car comes with a oil level sensor, which if low will flash on the dash.

The transmission electric conductor plate has a transmission fluid temp sensor built in that can be read out on star, remember the fluid tool with 25 and 80 C markings. He waits till the fluid temp gets to 80C then he uses his tool to check the level!!

 

I am concerned about the accuracy of the oil level indicator in dyno mode.
I guess I am ok if I do not have the low-oil malfunction.

 

That is why most prudent folks will have their butler frequently lift the hood and check the fluids.

However if you do not have a butler you may want to preform those routine tasks yourself. Remember MB provided you with an engine oil dip stick. It is typically graduated to visually indicate the level of engine oil in the crank case. Do you know where yours is located??

 

I also exhausted all my resources for the 236.10 fluid and have been debating which way to go for weeks now.

It was between using Valvoline Maxlife ATF, Genuine 236.14, or leave the original Genuine 236.10 in for the lifetime.

The parts specialist at my Dealer insists the 236.14 is the way to go and that's what they use. So if I take it for a dealer service it will have the 236.14

Mercedes has a good Classic parts selection and I have come to feel that if the 236.10 fluid was really necessary, they would stock it, and not be worried about reducing inventory to just the 236.14 fluid.

I purchased a case and have just broke the seal. I am trying the 236.14 and will continue unless I realize any shifting issues. Then I may have to try the Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

 

ML Precision, please report your experience with 236.14.

I start thinking MB USA should be responsible for the 236.10 controversy. They have been confusing users due to their questionable "lifetime" policy, and many people can't really trust their words about the transmission service any more. Even they say that 236.14 is compatible, their claim sounds somewhat questionable for many people...

 

Got a PDF from Valvoline Supplier for Maxlife ATF

Please check attached.

Says Maxlife is ok for Mercedes 236.1 till 236.11

Not recommended for 236.12 & 236.14

Hope this helps anyone

 

Please check attached.

Says Maxlife is ok for Mercedes 236.1 till 236.11

Not recommended for 236.12 & 236.14

Hope this helps anyone

A few very respected members of MBworld are totally against Maxlife and they recommend 236.14, but in this forum, a few respected members are against 236.14 and recommend Maxlife. I read both forums and I think both of them are pretty reasonable.

It's interesting to see totally opposite directions between 2 forums. I personally feel (wish) that it would be not much difference between them...

 

I can't believe no one suggested
Parts.com (MB of Naperville, IL I think)
mymercedesparts.com (MB in Georgia)
genuinemercedesparts.com (MB of Atlanta, GA)

Just type in the fluid number and order. You will get the genuine fluid. They will order it from Germany for you if they don't have it in stock. As far as I know all 3 sites above are from the same network of dealers that source parts. I've ordered genuine Mercedes 236.10 spec fluid from genuinemercedesparts.com when AutoHaus ran out of their fluid. It was the same genuine fluid, in the same exact bottle as the genuine 236.10 MB fluid from Autohauz.

Edit: As far as I know, those are the only sites besides eBay (if you're lucky) that can still sell you genuine 236.10 fluid. I've scoured the web a month ago and found no one else that still carries it.

 

I can't believe no one suggested
Parts.com (MB of Naperville, IL I think)
mymercedesparts.com (MB in Florida)
genuinemercedesparts.com (MB of Atlanta, GA)

Just type in the fluid number and order. You will get the genuine fluid. They will order it from Germany for you if they don't have it in stock. As far as I know all 3 sites above are from the same network of dealers that source parts. I've ordered genuine Mercedes 236.10 spec fluid from genuinemercedesparts.com when AutoHaus ran out of their fluid. It was the same genuine fluid, in the same exact bottle as the genuine 236.10 MB fluid from Autohauz.

Edit: As far as I know, those are the only sites besides eBay (if you're lucky) that can still sell you genuine 236.10 fluid. I've scoured the web a month ago and found no one else that still carries it.

I'm sorry for posting a negative comment about your precious info, but I had a bad experience with parts.com before. They sent me wrong parts, and they actually didn't have the right parts. I think they do this all the time, according to the internet review of their site. I do not want to challenge them again, to be honest. It looks like those 3 sites are run buy the same people.

You're very lucky to get the genuine fluid from them, indeed. I'm jealous!