[-COBRA-]

I noticed that my engine has a tube for a dipstick behind it, the tube has a red cap, my SL was made in 04/2005, isn't it supposed to be a G7 transmission in those cars?

Could it be that mine is a 722.6? or is it a 722.9 with a dipstick?

 

[okbarnett]

thats what the tube is for, the cap breaks when you take it off, so get another one before you start

 

[-COBRA-]

thats what the tube is for, the cap breaks when you take it off, so get another one before you start

You are missing the point of my thread, What I meant is that it appears to be that my G7 transmission has a tube for a dipstick which is uncommon for a G7.

The common way to measure fluid when doing a flush on a G7 is the overflow at drain plug from below at a certain temperature, I plan to do this and I was surprised to see a place where a dipstick can go, with this my tranny flush will be much easier regarding both filling and measuring level.

I checked my vin with a decoder and it says tranny is G7 (7 speeds)

Is this common?

 

[bayhas]

How else will you fill it? unless you throw the fluid up into the tranny, then be quick enough to slap the tray on, before the fluid falls out...

Or better yet, flip the car upside down and fill it from the bottom....

Every Mercedes in the world has a tube, its a question of having a dipstick in it or not... that depends on the generation, as they started eliminating the stick as of late 90s with 722.6 "sealed for life"...

 

[-COBRA-]

How else will you fill it? unless you throw the fluid up into the tranny, then be quick enough to slap the tray on, before the fluid falls out...

Or better yet, flip the car upside down and fill it from the bottom....

Every Mercedes in the world has a tube, its a question of having a dipstick in it or not... that depends on the generation, as they started eliminating the stick as of late 90s with 722.6 "sealed for life"...

I actually have been fantasizing about having a zero gravity zone where I can flip the car according to my needs

I wasn't sure how the 7G is different, there are some tutorials and DIYs about how to fill it through drain plug underneath, and since it has a plastic piece extending from it on the inside of pan to the proper level of oil at 45 C, it will stop draining once fluid is on that level.

That's why I was confused about seeing a pipe for my tranny and I thought for a moment perhaps I have the 722.6

 

[rorypff]

Cobra you are quite correct re filling the transmission - possibly that tube is for the engine oil check.

 

[kbob999]

My 2011 E350 has the 7 speed, and no dipstick.
It is filled from the bottom, and required to be heated to the proper temp, and dribbled out at the proper flow, to set the fluid level. And required service is every 40K miles. So MB has changed their ways regarding service.

My 2003 SL55 is the 5 speed, which you fill from the top, and have to buy a dipstick for to check the level. And they like to 'lock' the dipstick cap. My lock is missing, even though I could get a piece of dust in there through the missing lock. Not worried.
Wish it had a 7 speed...even if it is a pain to fill properly. I service it at 40K even though it is not a service item.

 

[-COBRA-]

So, it's either I am lucky enough to have a unicorn 7G with a dipstick pipe, or I have the 722.6 which would suck, or simply it is the engine oil dipstick on the back of engine which doesn't make any sense to me... Strange!

 

[260e crusier]

If its a red ROUND cap, then its for the engine oil dipstick.

Transmission dipstick opening is usually a BLACK keyhole shaped cap with a LOCKING pin which you have to break to remove. Usually will say "workshop only" on it also.

As noted, 7 speed are filled from the pan drain plug/overflow valve.

 

[bayhas]

take a picture of it...

 

[eric242340]

722.9 does not have a dipstick. If there is only one dipstick tube then it is the engine oil dipstick. Many of the engines have the engine oil dipstick tube at the rear of the engine.

 

[-COBRA-]

722.9 does not have a dipstick. If there is only one dipstick tube then it is the engine oil dipstick. Many of the engines have the engine oil dipstick tube at the rear of the engine.

@bayhas, I would have taken a photo but didn't have time to go to garage today.
@Eric, true, I guess it is for engine oil.

 

[Gary Knox]

Cobra,

Since your car is an '05, I believe, it DOES have a 722.6 5 speed transmission. The tube behind the engine is for checking transmission fluid level. At least on my AMG, there is a red cap on the back part of the engine (not behind it). THAT red cap is for checking engine oil. But, of course, there is no dipstick for either that comes with the car!!! You can buy them on eBay, and for the transmission, you insert it until the end of the dipstick hits the bottom of the transmission pan. Pull it up and the marks on the end will show the level of the fluid.

Engine oil can be checked similarly, but it will be well above any of the marks. Best way is to verify via the electronics that the engine oil level is correct, THEN insert the dipstick, and after removal, make a mark on the dipstick showing the proper level - for future checking.

PS: MY error - forgot about the difference between SL55 and Sl500 regarding trannys. Bayhas has it right in a later post.

 

[bayhas]

There is only one way to tell for sure... PM me your vin, and I ll send you the full report of your components...

 

[bayhas]

Just confirmed via VIN that the tranny in question is indeed 722.9

 

[tonyjroy]

According to what I have read, V-8 engines got the 7 speed transmission starting in 2003 including the SL500. Another way you can check really quickly is to run through the gears in Manual. If you have a 7 speed you will see a 6 before it goes to D. If you have the 5 speed you will see a 4. Simple enough.

 

[bayhas]

According to what I have read, V-8 engines got the 7 speed transmission starting in 2003 including the SL500. Another way you can check really quickly is to run through the gears in Manual. If you have a 7 speed you will see a 6 before it goes to D. If you have the 5 speed you will see a 4. Simple enough.

The year cannot be used to rule out all models, for example 722.6 was used in AMG R230 for many years after 2003, because early 722.9 couldnt take the torque, i dont think it ever did, until 2008 when they released the dual clutch 722.9+ or something like that... with revving down shifts... fancy stuff!

The best way to tell is either by VIN inquiry, or by checking the gear actuation below D as you indicated. This methode will not be accurate once the next generation 722.x is out... unless the next one has more than 7 gears