If any one has one and could give me the measurements from the top were it sits on the tube to the min and max marks I would realy like to make one so I can check my fluid level.also if you have the factory specs on how to check IE in park or neutral at operating temp is that right? Also what type of fluid do these take ?

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.

Do a search. Someone posted a picture and description of what you are looking for.

Len

You might just consider buying one from the dealer...they are not that expensive (under $40 as I recall) and you'll need the locking tabs for the filler tube anyway if you don't have them so you'll need to go to the dealer anyway. Since the fluid itself is costly, and the labor is cheap if you're DIY why not spring for the proper tool and not jeopordize your transmission to save a couple of $$$?

In answer to your question, the 722.6 tranny takes a special synthetic fluid, available from the dealer (about $11 per liter IIRC). There is a proper way to check it using the temp sensor in the transmission, but that requires the dealer "star diagnostics" so most people just drive until the tranny is hot (but it should be at precisely 80C) and check in gear on a flat surface. You can also check it cold as there is a set of marks for 25C (77F) temperature as well.

If you have no way to check the temperature accurately then I would suggest you do it cold and use the cold markings since I have heard that if you check it hot and it's not at exactly 80C the level reading can be way off.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

The dipstick is marked from the bottom of the tool up. I have one, but I am out of town so can't measure the marks. I bought mine on e-bay for $38.00.
You can find it on this site, but price is $71.00 IIRC.

Steve

I know I bought mine from the dealer in the past 18 months and it was around $40 give or take...I recall comparing it to the ebay listings and seeing there was little difference in price. My dealer does give me a discount, but I don't think it is more than 20%.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Looking for fluid I found that Amsoil and union 76 make atf that meets the 236.9 standard .Is this the highest standard at this time.I am goin to change the fluid sence the plug adaptor is leaking and it shows as being changed at a non MB shop in the owners manual.I am going to use the Amsoil atf sence I get it at a discount and it will be less than a dealer will charge.

I found the pic of the dip stick and I do have a way to check the oil temp so I can make sure it is up to temp.I have a electronic temp sensor with a thermister that is only about a 1/8" dia I can attach that to the dip stick to check temp.

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.

You asked what fluid is used in these and were told the correct one is the MB synthetic type made specifically for them. Everyone I know, MB techs and indys recommends using only MB fluid in these electronic transmissions, but hey, if you are going to make a diptstick from a photo you might as well use the wrong fluid too...save a few bucks now and in a couple of months you'll probably be asking how to replace the entire transmission.

Then, maybe you can put a rebuilt GM transmission in it because it will be cheaper than a new 722.6.

I just don't see saving money by buying the wrong fluid that only is changed every 60K miles...I mean, how much cheaper can it be, half the price? OK, so you'll save $6 a liter or $50 on fluid...that's less than a tenth of a penny per mile you drive. Fuel costs about $0.10 per mile or about 100X that so it is really immeasurable in terms of operating costs. And using a home-made tool to measure it will increase the odds that you won't have the right level in there or maybe the tip will drop off and fall into the tube. There is a time and place to save money...I just don't see this being it.

And finally, if you're going to solicit input on how to do things correctly and then ignore it please don't post what you plan to do because it will just make people who answered your questions feel like they wasted their time. Just say thanks for your reply and do it however you want.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I am not sure about this, but I believe the MB dipstick tool has a small "shoulder" feature about 75mm from the end that is used as the stop. In other words, if you bottom out a thin home made tool with the proper shoulder on it, it will stick in too far. I have an MB dipstick at home - I'll check my fluid level tonight and compare it to bottoming out home made one. I'll post my results here later.

Regarding the ATF, the MB fluid is OEM'd by Billstein-Febi as synthetic Dexron III.

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

Well if I am supose to use the MB fluid I should also do what they say and not change the fluid because they say it is good for the life of the trans.And I might as well just take it in to have all the work done on it also.

I just thought that we were all trying to help each other with info we have found.It seems that a lot of the people on this do not do there own repairs or are not able to.MB seems to be very secretive about there oils and such I cannot believe that they have them made to there own specs and that nothing else will work. If they have put out a spec and the aftermarket has made a product that meets and or excedes that spec why not use that one.I found the antifreeze that is used for the MB is made buy one of the major makers and they even state on there web site the fact that it is the same just colored different.


Thanks for the info if it does have a shoulder on it the stops it in the tube then I will need to pick one up I hope I do not have to spend $70 for one though.

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.

AFAIK there is NO spec for the MB synthetic fluid for the 722.6 because the only approved fluid is their own fluid, unlike other fluids which they do put out specs for and for which there are approved aftermarket replacements. I don't think you will find a list from MB that gives a spec for the fluid because all of the official approved fluids lists I have seen only list the MB part number for this fluid. If you have such a list that says AMSOIL's fluid is approved or gives a spec for generic replacements then please post a scan...then we can all learn something. AMSOIL can say their fluid is compatible but they aren't the manufacturer of the transmission.

The poster who said Bilstein-Febi Dexron III is the same fluid is wrong too, as MB says their supplier is Shell & Fuchs Europe according to this MB bulletin:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/ATF.jpg

MB has also recently changed their "filled for life" recommendation so even they admit doing an occaisional fluid/filter change in the 722.6 is beneficial.

Like I said before, do whatever you want and put whatever fluid you want in your transmission and measure it any way you like...you've been told what's recommended and universally accepted as "correct"...doesn't mean you can't do something else. I just don't see risking a $4000 transmission using unapproved fluids and home-made dipsticks - to me that is being penny wise and pound foolish.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

A couple of more comments.

1) I know a MB shop that has been in business 40 some years. The owner contends that the MB fluid is simply synthetic transmission fluid. He has been servicing the 722 series transmission with non-MB synthetic since they came out. However, in this case, I elected to do it myself and use the MB fluid.
12 bucks a liter on the net. 7 - 8 liters. If I let him do it and the transmission goes south, he is not going to warranty the transmission.

2) The actually mechanical part of the procedure is easier than the procedure on my 300E. In particular the pan bolts, at least on my '97S320, have a machined part surrounding the bolt which removes the precision needed to get the torque exactly right. You tighten metal to metal and the
lip of this part is dimensioned to apply just the right compression on the gasket. The filter slides up and snaps in.

3) On mine I elected to replace the data plug (receptacle). The new one came with two white O rings versus the original part that had 1 black O ring.
Apparently, these are routinely replaced at the Dealer. My dealer had 18 in stock. $8.00 ea.

3) Dipstick. I don't think there is a shoulder that stops the stick. The bottom of the plastic tip bottoms out. Saw a post on some forum from a guy that made his own from , I think, plastic coated wire. The thing is that the correct dipstick tool is made to precisely fit in the tube. There are a couple of fairly good bends along the route to the transmission. Thats the reason for the coiled wire construction. I would be cautious about assuming you can attach a thermistor to the stick and actually get it down the tube. It's a tight fit. What if you get it down there and can't get it out. Now the logic of $40.00 saving will really come in to question.

Finally, I share the opinion of others. You are talking about a $4,000 + risk here. What is the point of pinching pennies on this procedure?

Steve

banshee: http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1609058&postcount=6

The other discussion that has been bantered about is critical measurement of temperature and the validity of IR readings taken at the outside of the pan versus the on-board fluid temp MB techs can access from the trans computer.

For the DIY lacking the abilty to access the internal temp data, and due to the highly expansive nature of ATF, I lean more toward the precise measurement of what "cold" fluid comes out and replacing with like amount unless the trans shows signs of leaking.

Everything is a calculated risk. Fluid type, tools used, measurement methods, etc.

I remain undecided whether I will do this service myself at ~$150 in parts, or let MB do it for ~$300.

Probably will choose the latter simply for peace of mind as it is an expensive piece of equipment.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I had also found that the MB fluid is made by Shell below is the info from Amsoil site they will not list a replacement oil unless it matches correctly.




After removing the pan I can see that there is a tube that the dip stick fits in to it also apears buy the picture that tere is a diamond shaped boss at the top .It looks as though this is a stop to set the level at witch the stick measures the fluid.So I will be getting one on monday any one in the Portland ,Ore Vanc,Wash area that needs to check there fluid level in the future I would be will to let you use it.

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.

As I said above, AMSOIL can say what they want, they don't make the transmission and MB does not recommend any other fluid except their own...it's probably fine to use AMSOIL, but if it were me and I used it and had trouble with the transmission in a couple of months I'd always wonder if it was the choice of fluid that caused it.

I'm old and experienced and don't believe everything I read from product manufacturers. I admit that, but I have learned from numerous experiences that lots of claims are later found out to be false and lots of manufacturers use customers as beta testers. After all, what possible motive could AMSOIL have to say their fluid is compatible?

MB's approved list of replacement fluids is very comprehensive but the only ATF they approve is their own...some conspiracy theorists will say that's so they can make all that money selling fluid but as you pointed out they didn't even recommend replacing the fluid in them so that makes no sense at all either...if they were really trying to rake in the dough then they would have recommended the periodic service on them and also only recommended their fluid be used.

Here's an interesting thread I found...read Dr. Diesel's remarks:

Sealed Trans etc. on 98 E320

I guess he's been drinking the MB coolaid too...

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz