[Lobo Racing]

Hi all, first post here. I know it sounds like a foolish question, but when I visited my girlfriend out of state I did some basic maintenance to her '99 C230 Komp but couldn't find the oil dipstick. What I DID see was a little tube sticking up near the firewall and valve cover (passenger side). Is this where the missing oil dipstick goes? I'm I'm pretty sure that the '99 C230 still had a manual dipstick. I'm back home so I can't go there with a manual and check her car again.

Also, what would be the best place online to buy OEM Benz parts and have them shipped quickly to you door?

Thanks in advance!

 

[xvvvz]

The one way back there that you describe sounds like it is for the transmission fluid. The one for the engine oil is right at the front left corner of the engine if you are standing in front of the car and looking at the front of the engine.

 

['91 300CE]

My dipstick has a red handle on it... exactly where xvvvz states

 

[Lobo Racing]

Thanks. Looked online and found the dipstick in a picture as you guys told me. I think I would've seen it in her car if it was there. Hard to miss in bright red. I just asked her to email me pics to make sure so we'll see.

So there should also be a tranny fluid dipstick where I originally mentioned?

 

[liquidusculade]

yes, tranny fluid dipstick is back against the firewal on the passenger center of the engine bay. it should look like it has a cap on the tube.

 

[Lobo Racing]

Thanks for the help guys. I really want to make sure her car is OK but it's hard to do it from another state!

Below is a picture she sent me of the dipstick I was talking about (circled in yellow)

A little more research tells me that there should be a cap with an orange pin on it. Is that right? Can anything harmful happen from driving around without the cap, like loss of fluid?

Thanks again.

 

[xvvvz]

Yes, that is for the transmission.

It should have a black cap and a red locking tab. My guess is that someone pulled it off at one point and then did not put it back on because they didn't have a new locking tab or they put the cap on without a tab and it blew off. The main things I would worry about are contamination and fluid level. I have read about fluid barfing out when another owner didn't put his cap on tight but you would have seen fluid all over the underside of your hood if you had that problem. These trannies are delicate beasts and you really need to treat them well. They are sensitive to fluid type and fluid fill level.

 

[xvvvz]

If you want to see the location of the engine oil dipstick, take a look at the 15th reply in the following thread where I show a picture. It is the first reply with a picture in it.

CLUB202.COM

In the first picture, look at the very front left of the gray engine cover and you will see a round red grab handle peeking out. That is the top of the oil dipstick.

BTW, you might want to read that thread about jumping the car when the battery is dead. Everybody needs to know how to do that because someday your girlfriend's battery will die and leave her stranded and you will get the call.

 

[liquidusculade]

first of all, as stated above, i would be worried about the contamination of the transmission fluid. if you have the money and a decent independent mechanic, or are able to do it yourself, be on the safe side and get the transmission fluid replaced. also, replace the transmission dipstick, or cap, whatever goes on your model (mine is older and has a dipstick).

as for the engine oil dipstick, you cant see the post on w202 since you arent a member (im not either ) so ill post up a pic and circle it in red.

 

[Lobo Racing]

Thanks all! Found the oil dipstick in a pic she sent me. I totally missed it (give me a break... it was dark, late, and I was tired!)

I don't know of any good shops in her area (Alfaretta/Atlanta, GA) so I made an appointment for this saturday at the MB dealer to put a new cap, check the fluid and replace it if necessary. Hopefully they won't charge me an arm and a leg. Any idea of how much a tranny fluid change can cost at the dealership?

 

[xvvvz]

When I called around, I think the lowest price was around $375 and then went up from there. If I remember right, the lowest at a good indie shop was around $280. Between covering their ass and wanting to make some money, I bet they tell you that you need the change.

You should be able to get a cap and a few red tabs (always good to have a spare around) for less than $15 factoring in the stealership factor. Hopefully it will be more like half of that. Too bad you can't order them online along with a dipstick (these are like $75 at some stealerships) and do the check yourself. It will suck if the dealership has to charge you the minimum hourly rate to do this for you.

Search for Atlanta in this forum. I put up a list of independent shops although they are more in-town than Alpharetta. I think I put Benzworks in that list though and the are right up that way (probably not open on Saturdays though).

 

[liquidusculade]

i wouldnt even show up to the appointment haha

when i lived in charleston sc, i called the dealership to get a quote on the transmission fluid replacement and they quoted me at 400 something dollars. i called an independent shop there called like german auto repair or something and they quoted me at 140 to do the job... i guess you can tell who i went with.

however, in all honesty after going through several mechanics, i am not pleased with any of their work. not even dealerships. if you know how to and have the facilities to do the work yourself, i recommend that as an option.

now im located in south east georgia and the price is about the same for the service.

 

[xvvvz]

>>they quoted me at 140 to do the job...<<

Yeah, but lucky you gets to use the common cheap fluid! For her/his car, they are going to need the expensive fluid. A reasonably priced place like autohaus is $15 per liter with free shipping and you should be prepared with 8 bottles. That is $120 plus the filter and gasket kit at $25ish. You are already up to $145 just for parts, not including a new lock clip, required dipstick, infrared thermometer, ramps, etc. The first time you do it yourself on a 722.605, you don't save a whole lot of money but you do have a few items useful for the next time plus other projects (thermometer, dipstick, ramps).

 

[liquidusculade]

>>they quoted me at 140 to do the job...<<

Yeah, but lucky you gets to use the common cheap fluid! For her/his car, they are going to need the expensive fluid. A reasonably priced place like autohaus is $15 per liter with free shipping and you should be prepared with 8 bottles. That is $120 plus the filter and gasket kit at $25ish. You are already up to $145 just for parts, not including a new lock clip, required dipstick, infrared thermometer, ramps, etc. The first time you do it yourself on a 722.605, you don't save a whole lot of money but you do have a few items useful for the next time plus other projects (thermometer, dipstick, ramps).

good point but at least you get the 5 speed i have to ride down the highway at 3500-4000 rpm and the engine roaring haha.

 

[xvvvz]

>>at least you get the 5 speed<<

You can laugh at us when your bullet proof 4 speed lasts forever without problems though!

 

[BenzMaster19]

good point but at least you get the 5 speed i have to ride down the highway at 3500-4000 rpm and the engine roaring haha.

The 4-speeds are awesome! if serviced properly, they last forever! Also, Benz engines are made to ride the highway like that, and plus, don't you like the added torque?

 

[liquidusculade]

the torque is very nice. i was actually talking about that at work yesterday. sometimes when i go to pass i find myself doing 85+ mph and i didnt even try lol.

 

[Swauve]

Thanks for the help guys. I really want to make sure her car is OK but it's hard to do it from another state!

Below is a picture she sent me of the dipstick I was talking about (circled in yellow)

A little more research tells me that there should be a cap with an orange pin on it. Is that right? Can anything harmful happen from driving around without the cap, like loss of fluid?

Thanks again.

Aww, she just wanted you to do it for her. She's probably checking dip sticks and getting her pipes checked on a daily basis when your not around...haha! Just joking, and giving the daily reality check.