tranmision fluid check/change

[garyflak]

hello my name is gary.i have recently bought an e300 turbodiesel (1998)auto and would like to check the transmision fluid level as it seems to pull away(in drive with standard mode selected)slower than i would like it to.I am aware that the auto box has a very smooth pull from a standstill.I am reluctant to pay £40 +vat for someone to tell me its fine, is ther a way to do it (diy)and would you recomend changing it as I feel sure its never been changed.(does it break down over time?)the car has done 115000 miles.any advice or info would be very much appreciated.???????

 

[television]

Hi Gary, on a 1990 car you have a dip stick so easy to check the level.

The fluid does break down due to many reasons and a change would only do some good

 

[garyflak]

wrong year

thanx for answering.unfortunately when I typed 1998 there was a smiley where the 8 should have been.

 

[television]

Thats OK a 98 car could have a dip stick with luck

 

[garyflak]

unfortunately it doesnt, which does complicate matters rather.
I have been quoted £39 +vat for a level check (millenium mercedes dereham norfolk)as they inform me it would be similar to a basic diagnostic check because the transmision fluid has to be at 80 degrees centegrade.
They also quoted £150 inc vat to change the fluid and filter which in comparison to a main dealer is probably reasonable,but I can think of other things to spend 150 quid on.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

garyflak, heres one you can buy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...022QQitemZ350024962567QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V

£39 for dipping a gearbox is an astoundingly brazen attempt at ripping you off. It literally takes 30 seconds to do. If I owned a garage I wouldn't even charge for something like that, its taking the ****. All you have to do is drive the car until the gearbox is warm (about 10 minutes), then put it in P or N, keep the engine running, and dip it. Thats it.

Theres a thread on changing the fluid in the DIY section. Its only slightly more work than changing the engine oil - but you will need that dipstick.

You can also make your own dipstick:

The coily bit only has to be long enough to reach the bottom of the pan. You can make one from curtain wire.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Hey saw a fantastic little thinggy the other day and it would make a brill dipstick, It was a sink/ drain cleaner, and I think it was in poundstretchers.. meant to get one but the queue was way too much to bear....

 

[Parrot of Doom]

A drain cleaner might do it, if it was thin enough to fit in the tube. It needs to be long enough to hit the bottom of the pan, with plenty hanging out the tube still.

 

[Judge G]

trying to change the atf on my 160 a class, whats the oil type?

 

[Classic C200]

Gary!

I live in Norfolk and I Don't use Millenium Mercedes (Even though they are quite close to me) if thats the helps you!

Remember "You only get ONE chance to make a Good Impression" and they buggered that up, just as they did with you.....

Try!

Autotechnic
Unit 9, Langley Road Trading Estate
Chedgrave
Norwich, Norfolk NR14 6HD
UK

Independant Mercedes Specialist - Simon Knights and Mark Walkin-Smith

01508 522995

Highly recommended, wouldn't let anyone else in Norfolk touch my car......

They changed my ATF! No Problems!

They have carried out loads of work for me on my current car and on my previous Merc..........

Honest and Trustworthy!