ATF Leak: Weighing My Options
 

I've learned that I have a transmission leak at least at the front pump seal. My indie, who I believe to be honest, competent, and thorough, has quoted me $900 (which includes replacing other seals as well...as long as he's in there).

OPTION 1 is just to go ahead and do it. But I'm reluctant to spend that kind of money to seal a transmission with 188k miles on it when a rebuild or replacement may, for all I know, be in my near future....throwing good money after bad.

OPTION 2 is to do the rebuild or replacement now. Even though that costs more, at least I know everything is done. But I'm even more reluctant to spend $2500 or whatever.

OPTION 3 is simply to keep topping off the fluid ad infinitum. While this is admittedly environmentally irresponsible, it enables me to stall for time.

OPTION 4 is to try some sort of well-regarded stop leak, like Lucas Transmission Fix. Is there any reason not to give this a try? Can it hurt? I'm not terribly impressed with comments to the effect that "all stop leak products are snake oil"...but I am certainly open to actual reasons why I should not use the Lucas product.

Other than the leak, the tranny works perfectly.

What would you do and why?

i have used the lucas with good results.the front pump seal leaking is the result of old oil staying in trans[drop pan and replace filter BUT don't drain torque converter]what is the use of mixing 3 qts of fresh trans fluid with 5 qts of old? the lucas should make your leaking front pump seal swell up again----maybe not all the way but should slow leak down.

I opted for #3 with my wife's 190e. It has about 160k and it has been leaking from the front seal as long as I have we've had it.

The car doesn't get driven much, so when it sits, it tends to leak more. I'd say its using about an 1/8 quart or less between tanks.

I have a manual trans ready to install, but the auto won't die. I'm in no hurry (to damn busy) to crawl under and R/R, so add I do.

I'd save your money. $900 is about 1/3 of the job. Wait till it dies / wears out.

Tinker

I'm in the same boat.
I hate to see good transmission fluid go to waste, but I think it is a bonus to have a constant slow replacement of the fluid onging.
My leak rate is variable, and I think somewhat weather dependant but I haven't really tracked it that well.
I just check it periodicaly and if it leaks below the dipstick mark I can usually feel it in the shift preformance.

David! Stop Leak
 

Being in the trans business for 15 years,we have found any "stop leak" will swell all seals leading to premature failure!

Just for info!

John1

Do the rebuid, we refuse to "seal any transmission with over 75000 miles. It is a waste of the customers money.

I think you need another quote thats abit on the high side. This is a two hr job.

John Roncallo.

I don't follow the logic here, do the rebuild, because stop-leak will lead to premature failure - premature to what? - obviously not the rebuild. I've had great success with stop-leaks, of all kinds, over many years and not a single problem of any sort. In fact I think if stop-leaks didn't exist I probably wouldn't own Mercedes. They're sort of the backbone of my maintenance strategy.

If I could do that job in two hours I would've been comfortably retired ten years ago! :D

You may want to try

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=73

or somthing like Super Tech High Mileage ATF.