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  #1  
Old 11-06-2009, 11:05 AM
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Draining torque converter 380 SL

I'm going to be changing the filter and fluid in my 1981 380 SL. Is there anything I need to be aware of as I'm in the process. I'm doing the torque converter fluid also.
Any info. will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
blu54eyes

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  #2  
Old 11-07-2009, 08:53 AM
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Not much to it. I find it very easy to lever the torque converter around with a large screwdriver until the drain plug is visible. Replace the metal sealing rings on the drain plugs. Fill the transmission a little over halfway, then start the car to get the fluid in the torque converter. Then finish filling it up. New pan gasket and filter too of course. Observe correct torques on bolts, especially the pan bolts. They are something like 7nm.
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'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

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  #3  
Old 11-07-2009, 11:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blu54eyes View Post
I'm going to be changing the filter and fluid in my 1981 380 SL. Is there anything I need to be aware of as I'm in the process. I'm doing the torque converter fluid also.
Any info. will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
blu54eyes
What trans fluid are you using in the 380SL? I have a feeling I will have to do this soon. Also, where did you buy your trans parts?

Thanks

S (next week, am picking up the 380SL I rescued , yesterday secured a heated garage space for the winter).
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Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
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  #4  
Old 11-07-2009, 12:21 PM
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just to agree with sokolov, the TC drain plug is actually quite small and if you bump the engine with the starter your chances of finding it through the grate are small. use a big screwdriver or small wrecking bar to turn the TC. here is a picture through the grating

cheers
barri
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61 Austin mini
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74 450sl
76 Cadillac 8.2l (501 ci)

some new cars

megasquirt conversion on:
djet 74 450sl http://www.mercdjetmegasquirt.britautorepair.com/
cis 76 450sl http://www.merccismegasquirt.britautorepair.com/

the best view is always from the point of no return
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  #5  
Old 11-07-2009, 02:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gurunutkins View Post
just to agree with sokolov, the TC drain plug is actually quite small and if you bump the engine with the starter your chances of finding it through the grate are small. use a big screwdriver or small wrecking bar to turn the TC. here is a picture through the grating

cheers
barri
What size Allen wrench is used? 12? 14?
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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
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  #6  
Old 11-07-2009, 03:42 PM
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dont remember but the TC drain plug is small maybe a 4 or 5.
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61 Austin mini
67 Lotus 7
74 450sl
76 Cadillac 8.2l (501 ci)

some new cars

megasquirt conversion on:
djet 74 450sl http://www.mercdjetmegasquirt.britautorepair.com/
cis 76 450sl http://www.merccismegasquirt.britautorepair.com/

the best view is always from the point of no return
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  #7  
Old 11-07-2009, 11:28 PM
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Thank you to all. I haven't started the job yet. Needed to find out if there was going to be any 'issues' - there usually is something.
Thanks again
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  #8  
Old 11-08-2009, 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by blu54eyes View Post
Thank you to all. I haven't started the job yet. Needed to find out if there was going to be any 'issues' - there usually is something.
Thanks again

Speaking of AT issues, what about the trans fluid? I have heard MB only and Dexron-Mercon III (?). What's the consensus?
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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
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  #9  
Old 11-08-2009, 09:58 AM
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MB only on the newer cars, lke late 90's on. For the 107, Dexron III is fine or maybe think about using synthetic Mobil 1 ATF.
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Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

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  #10  
Old 11-08-2009, 06:57 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Palm Beach Gardens
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I have a 1980 450sl that I am in the process of replacing all the fluids on.
I know I need to drain the torque converter also, but upon inspection I cant see where to get the screwdriver or pry bar into the cover to turn it.

Also is there a specific direction to turn it? Clockwise or Counter Clockwise, or does it matter?
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  #11  
Old 11-10-2009, 10:14 AM
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I'm not sure it makes any difference on the direction, but I always still turn it the way it would turn if you were using the crank bolt, i.e. clockwise when you are facing the engine. As I recall, I just used a big screwdriver as a lever right through the grates of the cover plate. It's not that hard to turn and you can watch for the drain plug to come into view, unlike using the crank bolt where you have to turn it, crawl under the car to see if you can see the drain plug and then repeat the process again and again until it comes into view.
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Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

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  #12  
Old 12-08-2009, 05:34 PM
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Posts: 32
Draining torque Conv. 380SL

Dexron-Mercon III is fine for the olded cars. It doesn't matter which way you turn the converter. MB has a tool that makes this proces easier. One day I'll get one. Be careful about refilling the trans. The full level mark is temp related. You should be at the full mark when the trans is at 80 C. I would put most of the fluid in and get it close but not completely full, drive it down the road a bit and then recheck the fluid level. The engine temp gage is not a good indication of trans temp.
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  #13  
Old 02-12-2010, 12:47 AM
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Sorry to ask, but just got a '77 450sl and will be wanting to change the fluids......how much tranny fluid is required to refill when you've also drained the torque converter? Thank you.
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  #14  
Old 02-12-2010, 04:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BJaltima View Post
Sorry to ask, but just got a '77 450sl and will be wanting to change the fluids......how much tranny fluid is required to refill when you've also drained the torque converter? Thank you.
Hi BJaltima, The MB manual says 7.9 litres for change...8.9 litres total capacity.

When I changed mine, I used the 27mm socket on the crank pulley to align the Convertor drain...and used a nice new 5mm Hex key on the plug as it was in tight and a bit sus looking. I also had the front of the car up on ramps not just for access underneath but also to enable draining of the radiator cooler tube and associated lines. Seemed to work OK as I blew some air through it after a while and the lines were pretty well clear. Not many auto trannys where you can essentially totally clear out the old fluid this easy.

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