ATF level...How critical??

S.Speed

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Hi everyone..
Car is C270 CDI (2003)..
About 2 months ago I had the ATF fluid and filter changed by a MB main dealership..
Yesterday I at last took delivery of the MB "special secret exclusive" Dip Stick..
Anyway I went on a 20 mile run to get the car to full working temp then left the engine ticking over with it in "Park" and checked the fluis level..
It is about half an inch above the "Max" mark on the dipstick?
S my questions are:
1. How critical is it that the fluis be exact?
2. If it is critical then why the hell have MB put too much in ???
3. Would you advise I suck some out??

Thanks in advance for any thoughts / replies.
 

television

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The correct way of checking is to get it warm 80c then wait for 2 more mins,, move the shift to R or D a couple of times and then go back to P and check. (footbrake applied when doing this)

Though it is a sump system it should be within the range on the stick
 
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S.Speed

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Update..

I have now done the method of ATF level checking as advised by "television" and the result is exactly the same..
The ATF level is about half an inch above the uper mark on the dipstick.
Sooo, What do I do?
Do I drain some fluid off?
Do I leave well enough alone?
Do I complain to the MB dealership thereby allowing them to know I have dabbled with the "secret super exclusive special - for mechanics use only" dip stick "Tool" ?
I await your learned advice.
 

BlackC55

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Complain to the dealer.

there are two level marks on the dipstick. Are you checking it on the higher one? (80deg gearbox temp)
 
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Hi BlackC55,
Yes it is the higher (80C) mark I am refering to.
Thanks for your input.
 

rf065

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Before you complain, check the dipstick is the right part number for your gearbox.

Russ
 
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Oh God I hadnt considered that..
But then again I thought there is a recognized measurement for the curtain rod method !!

Just been to the garage and measured the marks.. The 80C ones are 55mm - 65mm from the end of the dipstick.
The part number is: W 140 589 15 21 00

Please dont go and tell me its the wrong one !!!
 

Cole@MBS

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Oh God I hadnt considered that..
But then again I thought there is a recognized measurement for the curtain rod method !!

Just been to the garage and measured the marks.. The 80C ones are 55mm - 65mm from the end of the dipstick.
The part number is: W 140 589 15 21 00

Please dont go and tell me its the wrong one !!!

That looks like the right part number, red ring on top yes??
 

rf065

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Just looked at mine & 55mm to 65mm at 80C is about right.

Russ
 
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Yes indeed the red ring on the top..
The springy part is pretty thick in diameter (compared to curtain rod)..
Would you advise I suck some out?
Is it likely to be harmful?
The problem is its been that way for a couple of thousand miles now, since the MB dealership did the filter / fluid change.
 

Cole@MBS

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I would echo Ollys reply, take it back and let the dealer sort it!!!
 

television

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Although it is a sump system MB do make a point of warning that the box must not be over filled, ½ inch over the top must be more than 1 liter too much
 
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OK.
Thanks everyone for your input..
 

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Before you complain, check the dipstick is the right part number for your gearbox.

Russ

i thought they were pretty much standard for the entire range that werent fitted with dipsticks?
 

television

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They are Pete,,all 722.6 boxes use the one stick
 

rf065

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i thought they were pretty much standard for the entire range that werent fitted with dipsticks?

Only if you buy the correct dipstick to start with, if you see what I mean.

Russ
 

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Why not use a vacuum oil extractor to remove some? I have done this on my Jaguar XJR and it make life very easy. In fact this is the way I change the ATF, use the fluid pump to extract what I can when its cold. This usually gets around 3 liters of ATF out, the rest sitting in the torque converter. However having done this a couple of times now I am pretty confident that most of the old ATF has been replaced.

Its a GM box though (480LE) and more tolerant than the 722.6 MB one.
 
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S.Speed

S.Speed

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what was the outcome?? Did it need oil removed? Did MB do It?
Brian

Hi Brian..
Sorry I wasnt ignoring your question.. I just hadn't looked at my original post for ages..
I ended up using the PELA suction device and drained about a half litre off.
 

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I had a Porsche serviced at a main dealer a number of years ago. 1 week later it developed an oil leak onto the garage floor. I checked the dipstick and found the oil was about 1" above the max mark.

I called the dealership and told them I had an oil leak, they collected the car and took it to the garage to diagnose the problem. They called me later that day to say that it was infact the crackshaft rear oil seal that was leaking. I enquired as to what would cause that and the head mechanic who fell nicely into my trap admitted that if it was overfilled with oil it can put excess pressure on the seal causing a leak.

"Fine I said, can you check the oil and see where it is on the stick". He called me back and with a cocky tone to his voice delighted in telling me that it was indeed about 1" over the max. That was the cruncher as I told him it was only serviced the week before and they had overfilled it.

They did eventually replace the seal after I refused to pay for their mistake.
 

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