300TE W124 Tranny fluid/filter change

[MotardMan]

I am going to do this this weekend. Can any of you advise on the things to watch for? I have the filter and tranny gasket (Euro car parts), so am ready.

Will also be doing all other fluids, other than brake and cooling (already done).

Best,

Jim

 

[talbir]

I'd strongly reccomend returning the Euro parts gear pan gasket and buying it from MB.

The Euro or any other replacement ones NEVER fit correctly and always leak. MB ones are perfect and don't cost much more.

Ensure you drain the gear oil from the torque converter plug too, not just from the gear oil pan plug (5mm allen key), otherwise you'll be left with at least a litre of old gear oil in the system.

When filling up it needs to be nice and slow and work through the gears. Be careful not to overfill, otherwise you'll risk experiencing slippage etc.

Worth doing the power steering fluid whilst you've got the gear oil can ready too.

 

[Arnie]

Agree with Talbir.... Also make sure that you clean very well around the rim of the pan BEFORE removing it, as it can get quite dirty and there is a risk of dirt entering the gearbox.

 

[MotardMan]

Bugger, will have to ask my Dad to pick up the gasket. Thanks for the tip!

Will do the PAS at the same time, easy procedure?

 

[andy_k]

don't know what the europarts gasket cost - the genuine MB one is approx £4.50.

Andy

 

[sunil sood]

jim,

i did a filter and gasket change on 190e autogearbox some time ago.

the parts i used were from german and swedish carparts ,the brand was FEBI-so far no leaks so i disagree that they do not fit properly or leak.

eurocarparts may have sold you a gasket of the febi brand which is a good brand.

this is my opinion and experience.

 

[kiwi_bloke]

gasket

Yes! This is experience number two I did a filter change on my 124 230e a while ago. The gasket seal was aftermarket although im not exactly sure what brand it was....No leaks...no worries....

But it is nice to have the satisfaction of having genuine parts in your car

Good Luck

The only advice i have to offer is make sure you dont fill to quickly....

 

[jaymanek]

Hi,

What does talbir mean when you say work through the gears? You put the oil down the dipstick hole i guess? So are you supposed to put a bit in then drive, add a bit more etc??

 

[MotardMan]

The brand supplied by ECP, is MEYLE, part number on the gasket is: 014 027 2008. MB dealer wants £7 for the MB part.

So, am I still going to need the MB part? It is no trouble to go over and get one, but if I already have the part, why bother? Comments?

 

[MotardMan]

don't know what the europarts gasket cost - the genuine MB one is approx £4.50.

Andy

ECP is £3.56 plus P+P for the Meyle part.

 

[talbir]

Forget the ECP part and part number - it means nothing. I still reccomend you get the original gasket from MB - it's only £7.

Now that's cheaper and more efficient than fitting the replacement gasket, filling with new gear oil and then finding a leak.....which will mean draining your new gear oil, re-open the pan, change the gasket, fit back up and then fill with NEW gear oil again.

Not worth the hassle. ECP gasket may not leak...but it probably will and at £7 for the original MB which will DEFINITELY NOT leak, why take the chance ?

And yes, put in a bit of oil and work it throught the gears, add some more and repeat etc.


cheers

 

[MotardMan]

Forget the ECP part and part number - it means nothing. I still reccomend you get the original gasket from MB - it's only £7.

Now that's cheaper and more efficient than fitting the replacement gasket, filling with new gear oil and then finding a leak.....which will mean draining your new gear oil, re-open the pan, change the gasket, fit back up and then fill with NEW gear oil again.

Not worth the hassle. ECP gasket may not leak...but it probably will and at £7 for the original MB which will DEFINITELY NOT leak, why take the chance ?

And yes, put in a bit of oil and work it throught the gears, add some more and repeat etc.


cheers

I did as yoiu said, I now have the MB gasket, £7.06 +VAT. I also had to buy sa thermostat housing. My wife called m,e and said "The car started to smoke and a light came on the dash, so I pulled over and stopped". It had blown the hose off the housing, but worse the housing had fractured where the hose was clamped on. Fortunately there was a stub left on the housing and I refitted the hose and it got us home.

Phew! HOusing cost £5.59 + VAT and is metal, replacing the horrid broken plastic item.

 

[andy_k]

interesting price on the gearbox gasket - the one on our 230TE cost us £4.43+vat, the filter was £11.17 + vat - both prices direct from the stealership

Andy

 

[Arnie]

Hi,

What does talbir mean when you say work through the gears? You put the oil down the dipstick hole i guess? So are you supposed to put a bit in then drive, add a bit more etc??

You can do this with the hand brake on. Just move the gear-lever through all the gear postions, stopping for a few seconds in each one. Then, finally drive it for a few miles and check the level again. The oil level is normally slightly different if the oil is hot or cold. Depending on the gearbox model, the oil level is also usually checked with the engine running at idle RPM.

 

[Arnie]

see here for a step-by-step guide (not exact car model, but same priciple):

http://business.baylor.edu/Richard_Easley//autofaqs/atchange.htm

 

[MotardMan]

see here for a step-by-step guide (not exact car model, but same priciple):

http://business.baylor.edu/Richard_Easley//autofaqs/atchange.htm

Pretty much what I did on my car (300TE). Everything went fine BTW, no leaks, no problems. Thanks for all your help. Not nearly as scary as I thought, and the motor factors let me have 45% off cost, as I turned up in my disgusting overalls, baseball cap, and when questioned on the amount of ATF I was buying, told him it was for a 300TE. The guy behind the counter told me he had the same car! Saved me a LOT of money.