Automatic Gearbox Level

[CLIFF SMITHSON]

Hi,
I have a CLK230 Convertable and I understand the auto box is sealed for life. My question is:' can the red plastic locking lug be broken off the gearbox dip stick so it can be turned into a standard manual dip stick?'

Regards Cliff

 

[wireman]

Yes but its just a cover plug without a dip stick, you can use a curtain wire to dip the fluid, push it all the way to the bottom and measure the height of the fluid on the wire, I don't know the required depth of your fluid but a man who does might just come along and tell us, wait and see.

The level is tested with the engine and gearbox at normal temperature with the engine running in neutral or park and of course on level ground.

Cleanliness is of great importance no muck grit or fluff should enter the dip stick hole and it must be sealed properly and securely after you have had a play with it.

The concept of sealed for life is flawed and it is recommended that the fluid is changed every now and again, on my car its every 36,000, if yours has anything significantly greater than this under its belt (tyres?) I would contemplate getting a fluid change done.

 

[CLIFF SMITHSON]

I’m of the same opinion nothing lasts forever. Even synthetic ATF get dirty and looses it’s viscosity. I will be changing the fluid and the filter in the next few months and buying a new dipstick blanking plug. The major issue I have is how much oil does it take because I understand after 2000 it’s not possible to drain the torque converter. I guess I will just measure the amount of old oil I drain out of the system. It just all seems a little bit hit and miss using curtain wire and measuring the oil showing on the wire. I guess if the main dealers carry out the task, they pour in the specified amount shown on their data base

 

[wireman]

Its just as hit and miss as the real dipstick, that is a metal blade which drops to the bottom of the tranny oil pan, spring curtain wire is much cheaper and every bit as effective as the real thing.

Distance anybody?

I forgot to mention, when dipping allow time for any fluid thrown or drawn up the dip tube to fall back or it will become smeared up the dip stick and make reading impossible.

 

[ELGRINGO]

oil level

Not that easy as should be checked with star machine at certain temprature.