Bent the tranny filler tube now have a leak. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #1 02-18-2006, 07:56 PM

A few weeks ago in the process of pulling the tranny out of the 87 300D, I could not remove the allen head bolt from the filler tube. So I had to drop it down far enough so I could get at it with visegrips. In dropping the tranny down the tube got bent slightly. So last week when I got the tranny back from the shop I put everything back but the tube would not line up with the bolt hole at the back of the head. I tried bending it back to fit. I did manage to get it lined up. The next day I noticed a leak from that side of the tranny

. So today I spent almost half the day pulling and rebending the tube on the bench and reinstalling the tube. I also managed to break the fastening collar from the tube at the bottom so I had to reweld it. I even tried different sealing compounds. No luck. The damn thing got tweeked enough that its now just too time consuming to try to fix it.
I guess now I have to bite the bullet and get a new one from the dealer.

I'm just trying to fix this car right so I can get rid of it.

TonyFromWestOz · #2 02-19-2006, 06:43 AM

I recently purchased a 30D which has had the engine reconditioned. The transmission was supposed to be in need of a $1400 repair as it would not select any gear.
When I got it home, I added some ATF and drove it around the yard. Next day I purchased more ATF. I topped up the tranny and drove it around for a few days until the fuel got low.
I transferred the enginr/tranny combination into a 280E body (low comp #4) and dropped the tranny oil pan. I spent $5 on some silver solder and flux and sealed up the leak in the pan. (my fix for a $1400 quoted repair).
Why did it leak?

Because when they reinstalled the engine after reconditioning it, they did not put the dip tube through the inlet manifold. The stress and vibration cracked the brazing of the thread in the oil pan.

You problem may be the same - cracked weld between oil pan and dip tube banjo thread.

Man, you are persistent.

lietuviai · #3 02-19-2006, 01:06 PM

I am persistent. I've had many thoughts about just donating the car to a charity or letting a junk yard have the beast. But when I calm down, I just look for ways to solve the problems that I have.
I guess it has the potential of being a good car. It runs strong and drives very well otherwise. I don't have any banjo bolts on the filler tube and the only ones on the transmission are on the cooler line connections. I think the way the tube is designed to connect to the transmission is a poor one as there is only one bolt on a oval shaped flange that secures it. The flange is very soft and lends to bending easily. Also the "weld" that holds the flange to the tube was broken easily. I guess if I was able to remove the bolt before I took the transmission out of the car I would have been done by now and perhaps the car would have been sold to a more appreciative owner.
One damn allen head bolt has caused me so much grief.

lietuviai · #4 02-21-2006, 01:36 PM

I had to order the filler tube from the dealer. It's going to cost me over $90 and they told me there are none in the US so they'll have to order it from Germany. It won't cost extra for that but it will take an additional 8-10 days.