SLK 350 ATF change with sump/level tube in place?

[james2747]

Hi.
Does anyone know if its possible to do a drain and re-fill on the 7g tronic box with the plastic 'level tube' still in place.

Its my 'other halves' car and has only covered 38,000 miles since new in 2006, and now only gets used for about 5 days (or at best 1,000 miles) per year!

Removing the autobox oil sump/filter etc just seems like a messy operation so I was considering just removing drain plug and letting oil drip or 'seep' out past the bottom of the fill tube, even if it takes a few hours.

Not sure if its got a torque converter drain plug but even better if it has as I'd get more old oil out.

I'd then re-fill with new oil, the exact same amount of old oil removed, plus an additional 500cc, using a pump / Merc fill adaptor etc., without having disturbed the sump/filter/level tube.
Give it time to warm up and go through gears and if level was correct to start with then hopefully about 500cc will have drained out when it gets up to 45 degrees.

Would then hopes its good for another 20,000 miles or 4 years (more likely 4 years with her mileage!) before doing another ATF oil change plus the filter renewal as well at that time.

I'm just not sure if the oil seeps out past the bottom of the level tube as it may be a tight fit but from the videos I've watched it does seem to be just a 'click into place' item with no 'O' rings in sight, so perhaps not oil tight, if enough time allowed for old oil to drip out.

Any comments, observations most welcomed.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Personally I don't think there is any point draining the fluid and refilling if you aren't going to replace the filter. If you must, you can put a thin screwdriver up the hole and gently lean the tube over slightly. The fluid will drain while you hold the tube pushed over. When you release the gentle pressure the tube will pop back into place. It won't drain if you leave the tube in place. It's surprisingly oil tight.

 

[Wighty]

It’s an ambitious plan , but I bet you either you pop the plastic tube off , or it won’t go back on correctly . You might be better removing an oil cooler pipe ?
I’m suggesting this , but not agreeing with your plan to not change the filter .
With your low mileage you might be better doing nothing at all , after all that’s another 4 years to get to 40k miles .
How long do you intend to keep the car ?

 

[bembo449]

That reads like some dodgy back street garage idea of a an ATF flush

 

[Mark A]

Oil cooler pipe is the way to go. But you still won’t be changing the filter, so how much better off are you?

 

[james2747]

It’s an ambitious plan , but I bet you either you pop the plastic tube off , or it won’t go back on correctly . You might be better removing an oil cooler pipe ?
I’m suggesting this , but not agreeing with your plan to not change the filter .
With your low mileage you might be better doing nothing at all , after all that’s another 4 years to get to 40k miles .
How long do you intend to keep the car ?

Hi Wighty
Thank you for your reply.
Think she will be keeping car till she 'departs this earth'.
I have to agree that renewing filter at same time is the best bet ... but as I thought filter could stand not being replaced this time but changing fluid alone was a way of ensuring car is maintained to a 'reasonable' standard ... whilst trying to avoid a gallon or two of ATF fluid running down my arm, as my home D.I.Y. option is jack up as high as possible, then on your back underneath.
Think I'll have to bight the bullet and do it 'properly'.

 

[james2747]

That reads like some dodgy back street garage idea of a an ATF flush

Hi Bembo
Thanks for your reply.
"Dodgy back street garage" indeed ... never been so insulted.
Only joking, made me laugh.
See my reply to Wighty ... will be doing job properly.

 

[bembo449]

Good man , it is a messy job no doubt but worth the effort pal

 

[steveq]

Hi Wighty
Thank you for your reply.
Think she will be keeping car till she 'departs this earth'.
I have to agree that renewing filter at same time is the best bet ... but as I thought filter could stand not being replaced this time but changing fluid alone was a way of ensuring car is maintained to a 'reasonable' standard ... whilst trying to avoid a gallon or two of ATF fluid running down my arm, as my home D.I.Y. option is jack up as high as possible, then on your back underneath.
Think I'll have to bight the bullet and do it 'properly'.

I hope you plan to support the car with more than a Jack before you get underneath ?

I suggest that you should have a broad, long tray to catch the fluid (bigger than the size of the sump pan) as the fluid can come out of multiple sides at the same time.

 

[bembo449]

I found an ideal drain pan when i walked past a bakers who was taking a delivery in , i cheekily asked if i could buy one of the trays and he gave me one , absolutely perfect for the job

 

[steveq]

It is great when you can reuse and repurpose.
My "tray" is a repurposed toy container that the kids used but fell into disuse as they got older. It even has little wheels at one end so it be pulled out from under the car easily.

 

[Wighty]

I hope you plan to support the car with more than a Jack before you get underneath ?

I suggest that you should have a broad, long tray to catch the fluid (bigger than the size of the sump pan) as the fluid can come out of multiple sides at the same time.

I find the size and location of the tray is irrelevant , the oil goes wherever I am

 

[pgh13]

I hope you plan to support the car with more than a Jack before you get underneath ?

I suggest that you should have a broad, long tray to catch the fluid (bigger than the size of the sump pan) as the fluid can come out of multiple sides at the same time.

And an even larger sheet of corrugated cardboard to put under it to protect the drive from the atf that misses the tray!

 

[Wighty]

And an even larger sheet of corrugated cardboard to put under it to protect the drive from the atf that misses the tray!

I kept my flatscreen telly box for that , works a treat

 

[pgh13]

I kept my flatscreen telly box for that , works a treat

Same here

 

[davidsl500]

I find the best method is to drive to an MB indy and let them do it.....

 

[Blobcat]

I find the best method is to drive to an MB indy and let them do it.....

That’s a thought

 

[Wighty]

I find the best method is to drive to an MB indy and let them do it.....

You kept that to yourself buddy