Where Is My Automatic Gearbox Dipstick

[heavy747]

Hi All

Can someone my 1999 Mercedes E200 estate has a black cover over the filler pipe leading to the gearbox - On it says 'for mercedes workshop only' and it won't come off and there is no dipstick - How do you check automatic transmission fluid level? Please can anyone help!!

 

[guydewdney]

as it says - you cant.

you can however go and buy a dipstick from the dealer (try a search for the part number) - they eliminated it as people often checked it without the engine runnign and at the wrong temperature - and over filled it with the wrong fluid.

or go ask an indy to check it - safer in the long run....

 

[shayes]

On this subject, can anyone tell me how to judge the AMOUNT of Transmission Oil needed to replenish an Auto box on a W126 when the level has been checked when the engine is hot.

This is a mystery to me. Dribbling an unspecified quantity down a narrow tube supposedly having wiped clean the dipstick without even an infintesimal trace of any sort of cloth left on it (checked by microscope?)

Can I see a Mechanic at your average Garage wearing medical gloves and finding a piece of leather (shiny side?) and wiping the dipstick having taken care first to wipe any residue of dust from the entrance part, strictly observing that not the slightest impurity may enter the tube, though the position of the aperture is one of the most dusty areas, and the dipstick need be pulled almost to arms length over the shoulder invariably engaging with the disintergrating hood insulation.

And then... what measure of 16th's of an inch or millimeters below what level, represents an amount equivalent to what to put into the tube with a pipette?

Grateful for any help and apols for the sarcasm but I just have never seen it mentioend how to determine what amount to top up with. Only seen that you must NOT put too much in! Aaaaaaaaargh!

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Thats what filters are for, and the gearbox pan has a large filter in there.

 

[television]

To check the level, better after a run and Hot.
Start car, move selector through all gears
return shift to P leave engine running and check.
1/8" down is neither here nor there. Leave it
If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, change it

Malcolm

 

[shayes]

Thanks Television I will try this. Fluid looks beautiful red, but I am getting a small amount of what may be transmission whine hence need to be certain level is correct. May be caused by my high idle problem as I don't know how long previous owner used vehicle with problem and it can't have done engine transmission any good!. There is no mention of what quantity of fluid exists between low level marker and high level marker, to understand what is needed.

Previous comment re Filter, I draw attention to Manual. I have in the past changed the Transmission filter on an SEC but the instructions in the manual are clear NOT TO GET THE SLIGHTEST IMPURITY OF LINT into the system.
To put in fluid through a mesh?
The Filter I suggest is an "after circulation" thing and will not prevent ingress into the marbles channels or why would MB make such a fuss about cleanliness?

 

[slk280rc]

I did mine at home, I wiped clean the transmission oil pan with Asda Value kitchen roll (lots of it), and my transmission is still working fine 10,000 miles down the road...

 

[Parrot of Doom]

slk280, can you post the method you used? Did you drain the torque convertor?

 

[slk280rc]

slk280, can you post the method you used? Did you drain the torque convertor?

Yes, I did drain the torque converter. Its not difficult to do (assuming you have the correct tool to undo its drain plug, I think its a male hex tool into a female hex socket, so you'd need one on a tool which can reach in, then be able to turn it). You have to rotate the engine, to make the drain plug line up with the bottom, so if you have a friend helping its very handy, otherwise its 'turn a little, back under the car to look'.

From memory:
1. Take the car out for a run, to warm up the oil
2. Undo drain plug and drain out the majority of the oil
3. Rotate the engine to reveal the torque converter's drain plug, undo this and drain off too.
4. Undo the 6 or so bolts around the rim of the sump. I can't remember, I might have had to move other bits to get to these properly, eg lines to the trans oil cooler.
5. Take sump off and allow any excess oil to drain from the tranny which is revealed more.
6. Remove, replace filter (3x cross head screws)
7. Clean and wipe both inside and out, of the sump. This is not difficult, but time consuming. In retrospect, its worth giving a good clean to the outside, before you remove it. As stated, I used kitchen roll and plenty of WD40. Might be worth finishing it off with brake cleaner on the inside, this stuff doesn't leave any residue. I used WD40 though, I figured that the 0.001 litre of it left over, at most, wouldn't hurt the 5 litre or so of transmission fluid.
8. Refit sump using new gasket.
9. Ensure both drain plugs are refitted.
10. Refill the transmission fluid and check level.