This is my 3rd fluid/filter change on my 722.6 tranny at 135,000 miles and BOY, am I glad I did it!
First was at 60,000 with the 236.10 spec fluid, second was at 95,000 with the 236.12 spec fluid, and today was 135,000 with the 236.12 spec fluid again (Febi 27001/MB ATF 3353). It is my understanding that there is now a 236.14 fluid that you can use should you desire. I don't know the Febi number offhand, but it should be available from their website.
Fluid condition was predominately a light, honey-brown, with no metal in the pan and just a thin, airbrushed-thickness coating of black on the flat pan magnet I had installed at the second change. It's really wierd...the old fluid appears to have some red/purple tint left to it when it's hanging in drops from the valve body but when you get it on a paper towel, it's brown!
When I pulled off the lower plastic shield, I noticed that the transmission pan was oily. No drips, but oil coated. When I disconnected the electrical plug, about one tablespoon of fluid came out.
When I removed the dataplug (WIS calls it a Pilot Bushing), There were two really, really loose red o-rings on it that obviously weren't sealing very well. From what I've gathered here, the first generation of plugs/bushings had red o-rings, the second had white o-rings, and the latest, which I installed, have black o-rings (P/N 203-540-02-53).
I feel I realy dodged The Big One here. With tax, the dealer charged me $6.96 for it. Fluid was purchased online awhile ago in anticipation of the change for I think around $14 a liter.
ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY SHOPFORUM!!!
