Quick question about transmissions in our lovely cars. Currently, the "fleet" will all be getting their transmission fluid changed, a 82 300SD, 83 300D Turbo, and 87 300D, are all the transmission filters the same? And what type of transmission fluid should I use other than the MB stuff? Thanks.

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

I don't think they are all the same but I wouldn't know for sure. I mail ordered mine and when you give them the make, model and year magically they send you the right one.

I just changed mine for the first time and everbody said
Dextron III. Actually the book listed DexII but I'm not even sure they make that anymore and III is the upgrade.

Stephen

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85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

I just changed it as well and it was a pain in the A$$ with all the fluid leaking all over the place. Dexron III is the fluid that I used.

enjoy the job

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Audi TT

Did you guys drain the converter and the pan?

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Thanks for the replies, I'm thinking about draining the converter and the pan. Assuming it does provide better results.

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

You want to be real carefull not to over-tighten the bolts holding the pan on it's easy to do and will result in a leak as the pan will distort. The only fix and I tried many is a new pan about 70 bucks........

William Rogers.........

W. Rogers,

Is there a torque spec on the transmission pan bolts? If so, what is it?

P E H

I would also drain the converter. Most of the volume of ATF is in the converter. If you dont you are only changing half or less of the fluid.

Advance the converter using a large screwdriver until the converter drain plug is in the correct position. I put the transmission in nuetral before advancing the converter although I'm not positve that I had to. I agree that it is a little messy but it will cost a minimum $80 at a shop. Also keep the drain pan under the filter as you loosen it there is almost a quart of fluid hiding in there until you break the filter seal and then suprise!!!!!

Stephen

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85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

Mobil1 ATF. You will never regret spending the extra money!

They all use the same filter and gasket. They might not have come with the same filter and gasket but the replacement parts are the same.

Definitely drain the torque converter. MB makes it so easy.

7 Nm for the 4-bolt pan bolts, 8 Nm for the 6-bolt pan bolts.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Thanks again for all the replies. Picked up the 3 tranny filters, it appears that the 87 300D has a different gasket from the other 2. I told my dad to get Dextron III. Is Dextron a Synthetic or is it "other"? Or should I tell him to get Mobil 1 ATF?

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

I don't think DexRON III is synthetic since Mobil 1 ATF claims to be a synthetic version of Dexron III. The Chevron variety of Dexron III sold at Costco should be fine. I don't notice any difference with Mobil 1 ATF in the SDL. I don't know if it's rated for a longer tour of duty like Mobil 1 engine oil is vs non-sythetics.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Well.. we've started the fluid change. Much FUN!! I got hot trans fluid all over my hands, touched the bottom of the transmission and got a nice little suprise, we removed the pan and the filter, and yes the "suprise" was there. Now... since i'm still rather unexperienced, where the heck is the converter (scratching head as if clueless). Can someone please point this out?? Thanks.

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

jmac,

The converter is just forward of the transmission in the round part of the bell housing.

You can see the converter thru the small holes in the bottom of the bellhousing. Turn the converter until you see the drain plug thru the same holes. You will need a 6 mm ( I think) allen wrench to remove the plug.

P E H

It's a 5mm allen. Only know because I did mine yesterday. Getting the gasket to stay in place was the most frustrating part of the whole exercise. Put in some Trans-X, and it seems to shift better from 1st to 2nd, but still flares BADly from 2nd to 3rd! Used DexronIII.