Am I asking for trouble? 300sd Trany fluid change. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #16 12-10-2009, 10:07 PM

Change that fluid and filter right away! 100k on fluid?

I rarely go much over 20k!

vwbuge · #17 12-11-2009, 01:28 AM

I changed mine the summer before last. According to my records, the PO changed it 2x before. I switched to full synthetic. 316k on original trans.

johnjzjz · #18 12-11-2009, 08:55 AM

what we have found over the years changed the fluid change and now my trans went BAD

they do the correct fluid replacement -- BUT when it come time to reinstall the trans pan they use a clean rag maybe to wipe off the inside of the pan and the pan rail area it bolts to -

a RAG has lint and that lint comes off each and every time you wipe onto something, the Valving in an automatic trans is very unforgiving to small pieces of lint getting stuck in the networks < we believe the reason for fluid change and now my trans went bad is a simple lint issue added to the unit by mistake

have many times found lint in all kinds of things that worked before a fluid change -- jz

mattmacklind · #19 12-11-2009, 02:42 PM

What fluid are you all using for 300D/300SD transmissions. My car is an 84 300D. Just wondering.

cousindave76 · #20 12-11-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Welder

If it's not fairly clean and red on the stick, then change it and drive it normally for about 200miles, then change again. Fluid's cheap, trans is not, and changing it twice will get the gunk out the new fluid will stir up.
After this, change it every 36k or so.

The fluid actually looks pretty good on the stick. If I were to change the fluid after 200, should I also change the filter again? Just curious if it would be necessary.

layback40 · #21 12-11-2009, 11:41 PM

Dave,
Change it, do the diff oil as well, do the brake fluid in summer. If after a few hundred miles the trans fluid looks a bit brown when you put a drop on some white paper or if it smells burned, like caramel or maple syrup, then change it again. Always change the filter when you change the fluid. From what you have said I don't think you have a lot to worry about.

vwbuge.
Hows your duke? I have a 1978 900ss (black & gold with bikini fairing) in the shed. I haven't had it out in the past few years. I had an RD250 when I was a teenager, it went like #*~k, I'm a bit old for them now!

MS Fowler · #22 12-12-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffa98

That falls under the old wives tales of backyard mechanics. These are the same people that will tell you going from dino to synthetic will cause leaks. If it is due change it and that way you have a fresh point to start your maint from.
My .02

I agree that the prohibition is an old wives tale. Many people ONLY pay any attention to their transmission when it begins to act up. THEN they change the fluid and sometime later it fails. They blame the fluid change.
The truth is more likely that the transmission failed because of years of neglect. the fluid change did no harm, but the tranny was already failing, and so the owner blames the fresh fluid.
AFAIK, there is nothing in fresh fluid ( of the correct spec) that will CAUSE an otherwise good transmission to fail. Fresh fluid will have a fresh additive package, and MAY revive old seals by causing them to swell slightly, and seal better. It MAY help; it will do no harm.