722.4 supposed to run hot?

[benzdude]

I noticed that the transmission fluid on my '93 300E 2.8 is losing its bright red color and gradually turning pink (and soon will become brown). I drained and refilled the transmission and torque converter about 300 miles ago (the fluid level is correct, I checked it several times) and have been doing mostly city driving since. The fluid I used was Valvoline Dextron III. Are these transmissions supposed to run hot, or is something else burning the fluid? Perhaps I should change it again and use the MB synthetic fluid or maybe Mobil 1 synthetic tanny fluid. I've only had this car for a few months, so I'm not yet familiar with this particular MB transmission design.

[jcyuhn]

I have the same car. I serviced the transmission ~10K miles ago, using Mobil 1 ATF. The fluid is still bright red and clear - looks brand new. I'm in Texas, so it's about as hot as it gets down here.

If I had to guess, I'd say your transmission wasn't serviced at the normal intervals in the past. The highly detergent nature of the new fluid is possibly cleaning out some sludge and varnish that has accumulated. I'd leave it in there for perhaps six months, then perform another full tranny service and see if things stay cleaner.

- JimY