Transmission question 280SE 4.5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tony H · #1 06-02-2017, 11:17 AM

I can get a 280SE 4.5 engine and transmission for free-I need some external parts from it-but to dispose of it all fluids need to be drained. Does the torque converter contain fluid after the engine is stopped? Is there an access plate or something to drain it? I vaguely remember something like that. The engine is locked so I can't turn it.
Thanks

Tony H · #2 06-03-2017, 10:48 PM

Sorry-I put this in the wrong forum

Frank Reiner · #3 06-04-2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony H

I can get a 280SE 4.5 engine and transmission for free-I need some external parts from it-but to dispose of it all fluids need to be drained. Does the torque converter contain fluid after the engine is stopped? Is there an access plate or something to drain it? I vaguely remember something like that. The engine is locked so I can't turn it.
Thanks

Short answers:
The converter will be about half full after sitting.
There is a hole in the bottom of the intermediate plate that aligns with a drain plug (if present).
The converter does need to be rotated to find the plug.

The transmission can be unbolted from the intermediate plate, and pulled back leaving the converter attached to the crankshaft. Depending on the presence (or not) of the plug and its location, it may be possible to remove it, and the whole engine tipped to drain the converter. Then again, with the trans removed it might be possible to turn the converter by prying against the ring gear.

Tony, as this develops, would you PM or email me; there might be some bits of interest to me.

Tony H · #4 06-04-2017, 06:26 PM

I figured I might need to pull the transmission. how about just drilling a hole in it through the access hole? It's junk anyway.

Frank Reiner · #5 06-04-2017, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony H

I figured I might need to pull the transmission. how about just drilling a hole in it (the converter?) through the access hole? It's junk anyway.

If you pull the trans back from the intermediate plate, the plug in the converter, if present, will be accessible. Indeed, you could drill the converter; if it is toast, nothing lost.