722.6 transmission in W220??? Does it have a torque converter drain plug or not?
 

I have an S320 cdi 02 model with five speed tipfunction tranny - is this the 722.6?. I realise that these are not actually lifetime fill and want to change the fluid. Just wanted to find out how to discover if it has a torque converter drain plug or not before I pull all the plastic undertrays off. Oh and if it does have a drain plug, how difficult is it to rotate the diesel engine via the crank??!! Have already done the fluid change on a 98 SLK which wasn't too difficult. I suspect this will be more complicated and I really don't want to use the oil cooler line and two bucket method.

My understanding is that in about 1999 they eliminated the drain plug in the TC...I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct me. My '98 has one...I have seen some 2000 models that don't.

I wonder is there any way of finding out. Under car with strobe light springs to mind! The service book says the number for the transmission is 22027018000314816302, not that this is really any help!

What I am sure about is that your 2002 S 320 CDI is equipped with the 722.6(26) auto transmission.

Not sure about the drain plug matter.

Those were elimated in the 2nd production month od 1999....however on some cars we have found that they were not on any 1999 model year car!

Just did an interesting calculation. Assuming I DON'T or CAN'T drain the torque converter and also assuming that there is a total of eight litres in the transmission (prob nearer 6.5) and that I can drain three litres out of the pan, I have calculated that after four changes of 3 litres (ie drain 3 litres, fill 3 litres, drive and mix old fluid with new) I would have 57.5 parts new fluid and 6.5 parts old fluid ie I would have changed 90% of the fluid.

Old Ford Windstar trick ...
 

is to disconnect the tranny oil line at the cooler and discharge to a jug. You add 3 quarts, run engine at idle for ca. 45 sec (until 3 quarts are discharged), and repeat until you have pumped 12 new quarts through.
This is after draining what was in the pan first.

I'm not sure how the MB cooloer connection is, but the physics of the Dearborn trick should work just as well on Stuttgarter Eisen.