I have a 1984 300D (non-turbo) with a five speed manual transmission. Can anyone recommend the proper gear oil for the transmission and the rear differential?

Any help from those folks with sticks in their 240D's?

My manual i written in German and seems to translate into "Ask your dealer."

Thanks,



------------------
Jeff Biesenberger

'84 Euro 300D 261k miles

My old '81 240D and '89 190e euro (both stick shifts) required 85W hypoid gear oil in the diff and Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid in the gear box. Make sure you open the fill plugs before the drain plug. You will need a 14mm allen wrench. Good Luck.


------------------
'82 300D Turbo 222k miles

I don't remember in what manual, because my Grey Market '84 Euro 240D did not have an owners manual. But I found, I believe in a Haynes manual, that it took engine oil. I put in 10W30 Mobil One, and have changed it a couple of times. The car now has 533,000 miles and the four speed manual has never been apart. It has only been out of the car for three clutch jobs. It still works and shifts great and produces no noise.

Modern ATF has evolved to a point where the additives are not good for seals other than those found in automatic transmissions. ATF is definitely not good for seals in your power steering system. I would want to determine that ATF is DEFINITELY what MB specifies before I put it in your manual transmission. The lubrication and weight would probably be okay, but if it ruins a seal and leaks out, it doesn't do your transmission much good.

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I double checked the Haynes manual and the owners manual for my father's '82 240D (stick shift). Page 28 of the Haynes recommends Type A ATF for the gearbox, 90W hypoid gear oil for the diff, and ATF for power steering fluid. The MB owners manual (p. 88) specifies 1.4 qts of 10W/20 engine oil for the gearbox, 1.1 qts of 85W90 hypoid gear oil for the diff, and 1.5 qts of ATF for ps fluid. Obviously, there is a discrepency between the Haynes and the owner's manual on what type of fluid to use in the gearbox. I used ATF in the gearbox of my other cars mentioned in the above post and never experienced trans leaks. However, its best to follow the recommendations of the Owners Manual.

------------------
'82 300D Turbo 222k miles

Larry and SW,

Thanks for the recommendations. I believe I will be using engine oil in the transmission.

I opened the fill plug and felt inside and did not get any red ATF, leading me to believe it was engine oil.

Thanks again!

Jeff

------------------
Jeff Biesenberger

'84 Euro 300D 261k miles

You would think that the OEM owners manual would be correct, as it reflects the factory intent at the time of build. On the other hand, altough I do like them, I have seen Haynes be incorrect on a few occasions. In the event of a conflict, I'd definitely go with the owners manual......besides....on balance, engine oil shouldn't affect the seals.....

dave

Yes, I like the Haynes manual too, but they aren't always correct on such things.

In the case of the ATF recommendation, the manual may be wrong, but also it was written before ATF additives changed so much in the last few years. I've run motor oil in my 240D manual transmission for about 380,000 miles or so. The transmission is still perfect, so I don't think it will hurt it.

Additionally, use power steering fluid from the auto parts store in the power steering. If you don't trust it from the parts store for some reason, get it at the dealer. But don't use ATF unless you can find type A. The additives will ruin the pump shaft seal, been there, done that.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles