722.9 fluid changed into my W210 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

deltajetfixer · #1 10-10-2006, 03:39 PM

Today I replaced the 722.6 ATF with 722.9 fluid. Car is at 95,000 miles.

This is the second change I've performed since owning it. The first was with 722.6 fluid at 60,000 miles at which time I installed the flat pan magnet.

Observations:

1) Old fluid appeared to still have some red color to it. Didn't smell burned. Left a light brown, clean engine oil colored stain on paper towels. Weird. Old filter suction end still was red-tinged.

2) Visual on pan showed no bright metal particles. No "mud" or residue. My tool magnet picked up nothing either. The pan magnet had just a trace of what could've been mistaken for black grease. I didn't even notice it was dirty until I removed it from the pan and got it on my fingers.

3) Shifts are a bit smoother, particularly my 1-2 upshift in "S" Mode. On a scale of 1-10, old fluid was shifting at an 8, new stuff is a 9.5.

4) Measured 7.1 liters removed and reinstalled 7.2 liters to account for residual in drainpans and filter. Maxed out at top of 80 degree C mark on dipstick when I brought total fluid added to 7.3 liters. Was VERY, very careful not to overfill.

Suffice it to say I'm pleased. With the condition I found everything in I'm tempted to wait 50,000 miles before I touch it again.

mbdoc · #2 10-10-2006, 05:18 PM

Were you able to get the 722.9 fluid at a "fair" price?

deltajetfixer · #3 10-10-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.B.DOC

Were you able to get the 722.9 fluid at a "fair" price?

Yes sir, was a little over $9 a liter.

uberwgn · #4 10-10-2006, 06:37 PM

Is the new fluid approved for the 722.6 trans?

Thx.

deltajetfixer · #5 10-10-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwgn

Is the new fluid approved for the 722.6 trans?

Thx.

Yep. For 722.3/.4/.5/.6/.9

See the attached MB sheet from a 722.9 training file

uberwgn · #6 10-10-2006, 07:09 PM

Very cool, thanks for sharing. Can you say where you purchased it?

TMAllison · #7 10-10-2006, 07:40 PM

Uberwgn: FYI - MBDOC posted that attachment on the Tech forum a while ago.

You will want to know, that in that post HE mentioned there were two part numbers for the #3353 fluid. Be certain to ask for the part number shown in the attachment as the other (ends in 13 rather than 10) costs ~50% more.

Thsi may be a pricing/part# glich MB has cleared up since the time of the original post.

jnc19610 · #8 10-10-2006, 08:01 PM

When I went to my dealer to buy fluid, they insisted on selling the old fluid for my MY99 E300. He said the new fluid would work, but recommended selling the old. They had both in stock.

On the other hand, I went to my other MB dealer this weekend. Asked them the price of motor oil, he said $5.95. He insisted that MB helps with the price. What was interesting is he said they no longer recommend 0W-40 for diesels. They recommend 15W-50. I asked what about 5W-40, he repeated 15W-50. I'm not saying he's right, I'm saying what he said.

sokoloff · #9 10-10-2006, 08:45 PM

Went to my dealer today and they are still selling the old 722.6 fluid for it. The parts guys didn't know if it was backwards compatible. Cost was $17. I ordered some from importec.com for $11. They are still selling the "old" fluid yet too.

Len

Hatterasguy · #10 10-10-2006, 09:23 PM

How hard is it to change the fluid on these trans? Thats one of the things I love about the SDL, trans fluid changes are cake walks.

jnc19610 · #11 10-10-2006, 09:49 PM

I am a newbie to Merc's. I changed my fluid no problem, except for one detail I'll do better next time. I drained the engine oil, then went to drain the trans. I didn't have the torque converter hole lined up, neither could I turn the engine over easily. Based on what the fluid looked like at 60K miles, I figured that missing changing the converter this time wasn't so bad.

There is a drain plug. (easy) Then about 8 - 10 lightly torqued torx bolts. (easy) The filter pulls right as (as I recall). The pan gasket is u-shapped. So it stays on. (no need to grease it in place.)

I'm not sure how you line up the torque conveter to drain. I suppose next time, I won't drain the engine oil, and I'll just bump (crank) the engine till it lines up.

Filling is straight forward. The only trick is, you need to break the tab off the filler cover, that locks it in place. The replacement tab is about $.60 from the dealer, and it's red in color.

All in all, a simple job. As easy as any other car.

jnc19610 · #12 10-10-2006, 09:54 PM

Is the dipstick. The car doesn't come with one.

Instead they sell a 'tool' as a dipstick. I think it was about $60. (annoying but true.

sokoloff · #13 10-10-2006, 11:20 PM

Dipstick can be had for about $30 from some ebay sellers.

Len

superlite17 · #14 10-11-2006, 12:21 AM

Question for those in the buisiness, is there a consensus (I know, it's probably to early to tell) if this might be a better fluid?, has MB offered anything indicating why the switch?
Thanks all,
Paul

98 E300