86 300SDL transmission problems.
 

Hi, I have been having some trouble with my transmition. It shifts very hard in all gears and oftentimes gets stuck in 1st or 2nd gear (usually directly after I have stopped at a light) . That problem is temproarily solved by shifting into neutral and then back into drive. The first thing I thought to do was check the transmission fluid levels. However, when I consulted my owners manual, it doesn't tell me how to check it; just that I need to take it in to an authorized Mercedes Benz dealership for repair. Is there anyway I can do this on my own? Any comments are welcome. Thank you
Phillip

The owners manual recommends checking the fluid level at operating temperature. The experience many of us have had is that it is sometimes difficult to ascertain whether the fluid is at op temp. So I use the alternative method mentioned in the service manual. With the engine cold, start the car, shift through the gears, and then check the fluid level. It should be about 1/2 inch BELOW the minimum mark.

Tranny Fluid check
 

1.Fluid should be at Operating temperature:
Take the MB for a 20 minute drive...at least 25 miles.
(AND not 85 + MPH on an interstate,
If so you'd have to let the engine/tranny idle for about 5 minutes to cool off.)
2.Park on completely LEVEL pad.
(If the Chassis is not level you're wasting your time.)
[ I use a 4 foot level if in an unknown area.]
2a. Just before you check the fluid level run the gearshift lever back and forth
through all the gears (With foot on Brake pedal) allowing engagement of ALL the gears.
3. Pull the Dipstick and wipe it with a "LEATHER" cloth. (Per FSM)
ANY other Cloth can leave residue ("Strings") that can clog the TINY
Passages in the Valve body.
PAPER TOWELS are the second big "NO NO".
4. Re-Insert the Dipstick and check the fluid level.

Changing ALL the Tranny Fluid (Both in the Pan AND the Torque Converter)
And installing a New Transmission fluid filter are default "First Steps" for any
irregularities in tranny performance.

AND whether you can DIY,depends on:
 

Which kind of PILOT you are:

Aero (It'd be a Piece of cake)
[Unless you're ALSO an M.D.,then I'd hire competent Professional Indy.]

or


Bar ('Should be done Already.)

Basics are HERE:
 

Pelican Technical Article: Mercedes Benz - Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

OOOH , with PICTURES!

Your MB Transmission is a 722.3XX model ,so a lot of the Folderol in the DIY
doesn't apply to you.

Fluid and Filter changes should be every 30K Miles.

What's with the 80,000 mile interval in that article??

YMYP
 

"Your Mercedes,Your Pleasure"
(TO TEAR UP,either through Neglect or Stupidity)

Fully Synthetic Uber Expensive (Moly,RedLine,Etc.) ATF
decanted into your Tranny
BY:
Twin, Red Headed, Green Eyed, 26 Year Old,Virgin "Sheilas"
Charging $100.00 USD, Each, per minute,for the procedure.

IS STILL:VERY,VERY,VERY CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

80K Fluid/Filter changes is in the same Flat Earth game as "Lifetime" Fill !!!

_________________________________________________________________

ATF Service interval:

30K for Synthetic ATF
15K for "Dino" ATF

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______

Shertex,

I did use the Term "Folderol" . 'Did I not ?

Okay, thank you very much. I checked my transmition oil levels using both methods you guys told me about. This leads me to believe I might just have a bad transmition because it still gets stuck in first gear sometimes. By the way, I am not actually a pilot. I am a sophomore in high school that flies RC airplanes and would really like to become a pilot some day.