c250 td gear oil change advice

[mercman123]

Hi there. Ive got a C250TD auto 97 with 111000 miles. Not got any real problems with it, but ive been looking through some of the posts regarding the 5 speed auto box and it seems that they can be a little problematic ?. I was wondering whether it would be worth pre-empting any problems with a gear box oil change. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated as some of the posts say that MB state a "sealed for life policy" on this gear box ?. Also has any one made their own dipstick to check the oil level in the box, as it seems that the dip stick is "TOP SECRET" !! Thanks in advance......

 

[delboy777]

I would definately do an ATF change. Remember to get only MB spec oil (approx 7.5 ltrs) and do a filter change at the same time. Dipsticks are a "service tool" and not required according to MB, but you will need one if you change the oil because oil level is very important.

 

[sweeper]

Dipstick should be available from dealers, but i have heard of a few who won't sell them? Peterborough Mercedes sold me one a couple of years ago.
I believe the auto box oil change is a good idea, however, be perpared for the oil pan bolts to be seized in the aluminium clamps that hold the pan on, and be prepared to find that you can't get most of the oil out due to the torque converter having no bung! I replaced the filter on ours and refitted the sump, topped up (took about 3 litres) i then ran it and rechanged the oil a couple of times more (abot 2.5 litres a time).

 

[delboy777]

You will find a dipstick on ebay they come on from time to time. To empty the torque converter disconnect one of the pipes going to the oil cooler from the gearbox and start the engine run it for a moment or two and it will pump the ATF out of the converter. Reconnect the pipe and fill in the usual manner.

 

[television]

A 1997 car will have a drain plug in the bottom of the bell housing for the converter draining

 

[harri875]

w202 dip stick

Hi i have been reading the links about the auto transmission dip sticks you people have made for your w202. I also have a w202 (c250td 1997 722.6 box) and would appreciate if anyone could send me the measurement from the tip of the dip stick to the handle part (to stop the stick going in too far ) I have the other measurements but for some reason this has been omitted on any of the links i have read. I am fitting new atf pipes (on Wednesday) at the front of the car as they are badly corroded and will have to top up with new fluid.

 

[television]

It has been shown that with the test stick going all the way in is correct and OK, and the 80c mark is 6cm from the bottom

 

[harri875]

Ok thanks for that Malcolm.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I have just found some dimension/measurements for the gearbox dipstick, also don,t forget a new gearbox sump gasket and filter.
The measurement for the dipstick is as follows,
Auto Transmission Dipstick
The measurements are cold (25c) min 10mm, max 20mm, hot (80c) min 54mm, max 64mm. The dipstick will need to be at least 800mm long.
Use 5 or 6mm curtain spring.

 

[mercman123]

Thanks for the replies

Hi there. Thanks for the replies. I was wondering if this is really a DIY job that can be done on the drive so to speak? Ive got the usual axle stands and trolly jack etc. Are there any specialist tools needed to change the ATF? And one final thing, are there any handy links that give a step by step instruction on doing the job?. Im also going to have a go at making a dip stick from the instructions posted. I tried a length of solder the other day which seemed to work fine, but obviously it didnt have any markings on it !!! There was oil in there though and it looked like new..It was a reddish colour and had a smell of brandy to it !! Does that sound right ????!!!

 

[television]

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/Trans7226Fluid

There is another by Parrot in our DIY section,,you van do it outside on a non windy day, cleanliness is the order of the day, the gearbox sump is quite shallow.

I would check that all of the bolt will undo by slackening at touch first, take car on the corner ones as the alli casting is not that strong

 

[PC250TD]

HI,
I got a tranny dipstick for my C250TD on e-bay from this store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-Transmission-Fluid-Dipstick-Tool-722-7_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1301Q7c66Q3a3Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3911Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem370175011635QQitemZ370175011635QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

He's in the states, but fast shipping.

 

[Zneb]

Hello All, this is post nr 1 on here... and it's a fluid change problem I'm afraid!

I asked my indie to change my c250td auto gearbox oil yesterday, and he mentioned when i picked it up last night that the dipstick was 'missing' so he couldn't check the level and that i needed to get a dipstick and get it back to him....tried stealers and they won't/ don't sell the dipstick

...however there is clearly something wrong, car feels sluggish particulalry during accelleration almost like a caliper is sticking, at one stage it wouldn't move away from a junction i also heard/ felt a faint unusual clunk when pushing it between R and D repeatedly on the drive last night - he says he put 5.2 or 5.5ltrs in - does this sound like a level or electrical connection issue?

I'm a big VW corrado man, currently building a high spec track car so am handy with a spanner but have zero idea about merc auto boxes

re the DIY curtain wire dipstick method above, do you insert the wire fully in so the wire hits the bottom and then measure up from there? I did at cold and it looked maybe 45mm

any guidance appreciated as I'm concious of driving it at present.... bit of a bummer on a bank holiday weekend

 

[television]

Hello and welcome,I think that you have other problems somewhere with the box, but a strange indie that said you have no dip stick, the indies always keep one for this job.

With the level that you have the car should drive.

 

[Zneb]

thanksfor reply, yes very poor they didn't have one, that's the second & last time they'll let me down.

Car drives, just sluggish and tempermental. So i'm clear you do push the wire in all the way till it hits bottom and then mesure up?

having jacked and checked wheel freeness this am, the nearside isn't competely free it will spin a couple of times so calliper isn't binding but isn't completely loose - would/ could this change when under load?

 

[television]

No that would not cause that,, with your home made dip stick, do not force it in, just let it come to rest on the bottom, 5-6cm should be fine when hot

 

[Zneb]

ok great, i left the car sitting all day today and remeasured when i got home - 60mm at cold which is clearly way over the levels stated in this post, can only assume he didn't drain it fully, i'll try when warm and then drain off in small stages

thanks for guidance, its maybe time to trade the old girl in :neutral: