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  #1  
Old 12-26-2006, 09:54 PM
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Newbie Questions About 99 300TD

Hello,

Just purchased a 1999 E300 TD with 75K on the clock. Anything I should check right away? Common problems? Is the transmission a weak link in the drivetrain (that's what s/one told me)? Any advice would be appreciated!

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  #2  
Old 12-26-2006, 10:17 PM
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Change trans fluid NOW. forget the lifetime crap. See if you can loosen the glow plugs and if you can, coat the threads with anti-sieze.
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  #3  
Old 12-26-2006, 10:57 PM
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Welcome to the forum.

I'd only fix what is broken.

Tran fluids should be changed every 50 to 100K pending who you speak to. What was touted as lifetime fill of syn fluid turns out to have been lifetime of the lease, not the car.

Common problems are o-ring seals at fuel lines, pre-filter and shut off valve on side of IP. These seem to be more age rather than mileage related.

If you live in the salt belt I'd check the front spring perches (top) which are spot welded. The undercoating has been known to separate and the spot welds to rust out causing failure.

The car is not any more difficult to work on than the older diesels; a little tighter because of more features under the hood and requires a different mindset to diagnosis with electronic problems rather than vacuum controls yesteryear. A simple code reader helps tremendously to narrow down problems.
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  #4  
Old 12-27-2006, 07:59 AM
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thanks! Keep em coming... will be taking care of the tranny fluid right away then. Sealed for life? That's one bad concept for transmission oil!
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  #5  
Old 12-27-2006, 08:29 AM
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I'd still loosen the glow plugs so that when you do have to fix it, you know it isn't stuck in. If they are stuck in and you cannot remove it, leave it till you have to fix it then take the head off to a machine shop
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow
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  #6  
Old 12-27-2006, 10:19 AM
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What are your recommendations for trans fluid? (Other than mercedes).
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  #7  
Old 12-27-2006, 10:28 AM
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Use only MB fluid.
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  #8  
Old 12-27-2006, 10:33 AM
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There is no other recommended ATF other than the Mercedes fluid. There are apparently two flavors of it now, the original red and the newer purple. Can be had for around ten bucks a liter.

See MB 7-speed transmission fluid (MB 236.12)

Len
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  #9  
Old 12-27-2006, 11:17 AM
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Thanks!

How much fluid is involved in a change?

Any special tool(s) required to change trans fluid?
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  #10  
Old 12-27-2006, 12:20 PM
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Send me a note off list. I have a write up of the job.

Len
len@sokoloff.com
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  #11  
Old 12-27-2006, 12:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dieselgal View Post
Thanks!

How much fluid is involved in a change?

Any special tool(s) required to change trans fluid?
You'll typically need: factory dip stick tool (the tube is sealed and no dip stick is present), new lock pin, some way to measure trans fliud temp (MB SDS or IR thermo), filter, and MORE than 7 liters of fluid if the torque converter is aslo drained.

Check your owners manual, some didnt not have the converter drain plug and require less fliud.

This trans is extremely picky about fill level.
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  #12  
Old 12-27-2006, 12:27 PM
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There of course has never been a Mercedes called "E300TD."

The term "300TD" was used on W123 and W124 station wagons, the "T" indicating "touring," i.e. station wagon.

These cars had additional "Turbocharged" badges, as does yours.

In the USA there was never a diesel W210 station wagon.
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  #13  
Old 12-27-2006, 04:15 PM
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Your battery is getting close to life. You might kill it past the point of no return if you do not research this forum before changing your fuel filters. Other than rust behind the door seals and on the spring perches, watch for fuel system leaks near the IP. Most of us with the late E300's have had to do the IP delivery valve O-rings recently.

I believe your '99 does not have a torque convertor drain plug so you'll only be able to drain about 5-6 liters of ATF.

Make sure you drive it hard before you put it away for the night. The carbon build up can get pretty bad if your not running biodiesel.
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  #14  
Old 12-27-2006, 04:57 PM
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My 99 has a converter drain plug. It's build date was 7/98.

Not sure where the cut off date was when they were eliminated.
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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)
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  #15  
Old 12-27-2006, 06:06 PM
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I beleive you have the plug. Mine has 04/99 build date.

Just fill up 7 litres and bring it to your MB shop for a fluid level check. They will have SDS and the dipstick. Should be set for another 60K. that is why I don't want the dipstick hanging around collecting dust.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow
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