230 223, 230E Smoke and Auto Questions

[Russel Weston]

Hello guys, I am hoping for a bit of advise and guideance here. I have just bought the Brooklands W123 manual covering the old girl. One of the first jobs I wanted to do was drain and refil the Auto box. However this is not covered by the manual. I know that there is a metal plate with four bolts on the bottom of the box. Can I just remove that plate, drain, re-fit and fill the box? Is there a filter I can replace?. Secondly, I was advised on this forum that my Valve Stem Seals may be worn. I want to replace them, and the manual does cover this. It advises that removal of the head is not necessary if you have a compressor with 6bar pressure to keep the valves in place. I have said equipment and want to try, but has anyone done this before? The instructions are quite good, and if all goes wrong I have another car. But I really want to know if this is a viable option, as I have never heard of it before. Thanks and regards

 

[Matt Crooke]

If its anything like my 190, dont forget to drain the torque converter as well. DO bear in mind that you need to have a totally dust free environment to do this as the slightest bit of crap that gets into the box can play havoc!

 

[dieselman]

When you use the pressure valve lifter make sure the piston for the appropriate cylinder is at TDC. That way even if the pressure fails the valves can't drop into the cylinder.

 

[Russel Weston]

Matt and Diesel, thanks for your Tips, I am going to give all these bits a try. If damage is done, I will deal with it. Regards

 

[TimN]

German and Swedish supply a replacement filter. I think that it is a stock item. They will certainly have it the next day. They will also supply the valve stem seals. The gaskey around the sump is rubber. It is best to replace it even if it can be replaced.

The design of the filter and sump changed somewhere around 1983 so make sure that you get the right one!

The torque convertor is drained through the vent on the underside of the clutch bellhousing. You will see the rusty coloured convertor through the grate. With the car in Park the convertor can be rotated with a suitable implement until the plug (Allen key head) can be seen.

 

[Russel Weston]

TimN, thanks very much. That is the first information on actually doing the job that I have. The maunal doesnt even have a picture. I assume then, that I undo the four bolts holding the plate in place, the oil will drain out. What does the filter look like and is it readily noticeable. I will find the Converter Drain as directed, I assume then, that to refill, I rotate 180', is there another hole in the top of the bellhousing. I am not sure if the manual tells how much is in the converter, do you know or should I just catch all and measure the quantity. How often should the oil be replaced in both? Thanks and regards

 

[dieselman]

Drain the converter through the apature in the bottom of the bell housing.
Next drain the gearbox through the drain plug in the gearbox pan. Undo the pan and remove.
Note there will still be some oil in the pan. Pull off filter and fit new one. Refit pan with new gasket. Refit BOTH drain plugs.
Refill gearbox and torque converter through gearbox dipstick tube.

Not sure of the quantity for your Box, but believe it's 5.5L. Run car until hot then check level with dipstick.

 

[kid-jensen]

Russel,

I've changed valve guide seals before without taking the head off, saved me a fortune in gaskets , not to mention working time.

I didn't have anything as up-market as an air compressor though, I fed some string into the plug hole and compressed the valve by bringing the piston up.

Worked a treat. With the money I saved on all that oil, I bought myself a pint.......... :wink:

 

[Russel Weston]

Dieselman and PaulG, thanks for the info, now I am getting somewhere. Paul, okay, as a backup, I feed a load of string into the cylinder, then slowly rotate the crankshaft untill the piston is at TDC(on that cylinder) this will keep the valves up. Very Clever Idea. Diesel, so there is no seperate way to fill the converter? then why have a seperate drain? Anyway, thanks for the info, I am going to give the auto box a go this weekend.

 

[dieselman]

Because it fills from the gerbox as it spins.

You may hear it sucking the oil up when you first run the car up after the change.