How I cleaned my transmission pan
 

The other day I drained my tranmission and torque converter. After reading all the dire warnings of to prevent containation, I was paranoid about leaving the pan
out to dry. So I cleaned it with soap and degreaser, then soap again and several rinses in hot water, a wipe down and a final rinse. To dry I jut set my oven to warm and left it in there for about 20 minutes. It went straight from the oven to the tranismission.

I still don't uneratand why if it is so detrimental to get dust and lint in there, how can you average repair shop do this? I put on several layers of gloves and took them off anytime I inadvertantly touched something dirty. And I still managed to see some schmutz get on the valve body when I dropped the pan.

yeaaaah I never went that crazy about keeping it clean when I would remove it.

just wipe out with a clean rag, inspect for lint and metal shavings... reinstall

That's because people blow it out of proportion... I never seen any shop rebuild a transmission in some sort of ultra clean room (except for professional racing, WRC, F1, DTM, etc...). I've always just washed the pans in our parts washer, spary it down with brake cleaner, blow it dry, and install.

REALLY.. Mr I use a LEATHER rag when I check my transmission.

couldn't resist. Hope all is well.

I've read the warnings in the FSM so it has me paranoid as well.

I'm guessing they wrote that so mechanics will think they have to be a little more careful than normal. When I'm working on my car I do my best to be careful.

It pays to be extra safe so in my honest opinion you did a more than perfect job.

There is a filter to remove most harmful objects. You cleaned your pan, how much crap was in it? More than a microns worth and the tranny was still working. Be careful, but this is not a case where a few germs will kill you.

It keeps you on your toes. Since you're thinking about it you will pay close attention for anything major. If the FSM said "uh, just like scrape the palm of your hand against the bottom... or something" most people would probably get it clean enough but some people would let stuff slip by. I've always used paper towels to sop up the oil then used a rag to wipe it dry and make sure there is no lint or dust or grit in there.

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys see in terms of extent of filter contamination when you replace it after 30,000 miles? Last couple of times I've simply removed fluid with a topside extractor and replaced fluid. If I do that four times I've used nine quarts of fluid and have fluid that's 80% pure.

This makes me laugh.

I have antique owner's manuals that DISCOURAGE, not FORBID, the use of river water in your battery!

And you're worried about condensation? :confused:


What do you think happens on humid days? The AEFG takes over?
BTW AEFG is the German for the imaginary
"Automatischer Entfeuchtungsapparat" or automatic dehumifying device attached to every tranny fill tube! :P

MBs are well made, but like every machine require two things: proper preventive maintenance and common sense by the owner. When in doubt ask a rebuilder.

I guess my question is, while you were washing and drying your pan, was your transmission open and exposed on a dirt road?

Yep, my backyard. And it was a windy day.

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if the filter has never been replaced on this transmission.

I know a auto trans rebuilder who does his re-assembly in a clean room.

The issue is partly that some of the orifices in the valve body are that small that a bit of grit could easily plug them. There are non return valves that use small balls, a bit of crud on the seat could prevent them from working properly.

Some may say that JKay is going over board. At least he can be confident that his fluid change will not result in a failure in the trans.

Unlike the motor, the trans wont run on peanut shells and coal dust !! :D

No Such "Thang" as Obsessive
 

about Cleanliness when doing Tranny Work.

Your Mercedes,Your Pleasure.