Ml box fluid

[splitshift]

hi all, got a high mile ml350 petrol, love it , one day the clk convertible next the bus !!!! On the drivers side of engine bay there is a “ dipstick” type thing with the words, sod off workshop technician only( ok not quite !) am I correct in assuming this is the atf level dipstick ? If so can I treat it with usual hamfisted redneck disdain and use it to check oil without mb training or specialist knowledge? If it is, what atf should one use ? Box is good, all shifts are smooth and as should be, but prevention better than rebuilding in my eyes !! Cheers , Scott

 

[EmilysDad]

I don't know your engine ...... I'd have thought it more likely to be engine oil as a great many auto boxes are 'sealed for life'

 

[Wighty]

Does it look like this ..if so its ATF

 

[EmilysDad]

..... Does it look like this ..if so its ATF

Blimey .... a step forward by MB.

 

[Wighty]

Blimey .... a step forward by MB.

That's a 5g box , it depends if the op has an older ML , because the newer one will be 7g which is a fill from below gearbox with no dipstick .

 

[ajlsl600]

annother grand scheme, you can buy dipstick from benz or go to b and q and buy 3mtre of that springy flex curtain wire, i did and i use that, cant remember, someone on here told me how many mm up the oil oil should be and thats how i did it.

 

[EmilysDad]

That's a 5g box , it depends if the op has an older ML ,

Ah! I assumed a newer car than my R320

because the newer one will be 7g which is a fill from below gearbox with no dipstick .

That'll be mine then

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Thats the gearbox dipstick. You will need the dipstick to measure the fluid though as there isn't one in the tube, its a special tool.

 

[John Laidlaw]

^ which can be bought off ebay for about 15 quid....

 

[splitshift]

All , yes older 350 petrol, pic to follow!

 

[Wighty]

All , yes older 350 petrol, pic to follow!

How many miles on it buddy ? . If you look at the pic I posted you will see a red tab in the middle of the black cap that means the oil and filter has been changed before (occasionally may have been changed after checking the level only ?? ) .
If the central tab is still black then it hasn't been done . Ideally should be done every 40k miles . It will cost about £200 for an Indy to change the ATF oil and filter .
The MB oil spec is 236.14 . I have used Fuchs Titan ATF 4134 which meets that spec .

 

[splitshift]

Oh dear !!! It’s currently 144000 but still has a black top !!! Job for next weekend then !!! Used to change xj oil and filters whenever I got em, so a filter and oil change imminent!
It’s 350 petrol,2003

 

[Wighty]

Oh dear !!! It’s currently 144000 but still has a black top !!! Job for next weekend then !!! Used to change xj oil and filters whenever I got em, so a filter and oil change imminent!
It’s 350 petrol,2003

Yep , well overdue . There is plenty of advice on this forums DIY section , and YouTube as well for the mb 722.6 5g gearbox . If you have done the XJ gearbox this will be a breeze