transmission flush - will those flush machine do the trick? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hk20000 · #1 03-24-2007, 04:12 PM

hi,

I have a W202 C220 1995 and I'm planning on a transmission fluid flush. The Merc dealer wants my tuition for the next decade for it so no. I know a jiffy-lube style place that does good work (so it's not jiffy lube, just something like it, indie owned) and had been doing no problem oil change to the rest of my "fleet" all the time. The question is, I searched this forum there are like these few things I don't have in my other cars:

1) transmission fluid filter - first time ever heard of this. What the deuce
2) separate TQ converter and transmission drain. What the deuce the deuce?

So I don't know if they know what to do with this car since it's Mercedes it's "eccentric" (cheap cars are weird, Mercedes are eccentric). Do you think a generic transmission flush machine will do the trick? Or something is bound to go horribly wrong?

The filter can be replaced from outside the transmission much like oil filter for the engine correct????

thanks for your help.

stevebfl · #2 03-24-2007, 05:00 PM

The pan has to be removed to get at the filter. That drains all the fluid in the sump. Drain the torque convertor and you have done what MB recommends. Amoung true repair technicians tools like we are talking about are called wallet flushing devices. They are designed to repair the bottom line of deficient repair facilities. No manufacturer suggests using them!

You want to gauge a shops stature as a repair facility compare the amount of flushing equipment they have to factory level scan tools.

carnut · #3 03-24-2007, 09:09 PM

DO NOT HAVE IT FLUSHED! Have a shop drain the trans and when you rotate the torque converter you will find the drain plug facing forward toward the engine. Auto transmissions have had filters for about 60 years. Some are fine mesh screen type, others are replaceable plastic or metal filters.

Matt L · #4 03-24-2007, 09:17 PM

Don't all automatics have filters? Any that I've ever touched did.

Torque converter drains were used on old American iron, but they're probably missing today (same as M-B). Draining the pan never drains the converter, but most of the time when you get a transmission fluid change, they will only drain the pan.

TimFreeh · #5 03-24-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevebfl

You want to gauge a shops stature as a repair facility compare the amount of flushing equipment they have to factory level scan tools.

Perfect.

Hirnbeiss · #6 03-25-2007, 09:37 AM

Many cars recommend draining the fluid via flushing now. On my Ford, you disconnected the cooler line hose, ran the car for half a minute or so to pump fluid out, added some clean fluid, and repeated until you got through 13 quarts. The parts guy looked at me funny when I ordered a new drain pan gasket and filter - he didn't have too many sales on those parts.

jhodg5ck · #7 03-25-2007, 10:04 AM

I would hope your C still has a torque converter drain, if it does I wouldn't use the flush machine but would instead drain it properly. If you Really want to get almost all the fluid out, drop the valve body (a bit above and beyond..).

Jonathan

hk20000 · #8 03-26-2007, 06:23 PM

interesting.

1989 Toyota Cressida

drain plug on pan - yup
TQ converter drain - why do you design it so that you have to take the tranny apart to drain fluid?
filter - what?
it probably is the lack of filter that makes Toyota ask you to change tranny fluid every 2 years or 50,000km at best. Flushing does the tranny good.

1992 BMW 525i

drainplug on pan - yup
TQ converter drain - this guy says no.
filter - yeah it's there somewhat.

no idea about the service life... sold it before i even get to find out.

Never heard of these items getting replaced at all from all the AT cars I've owned. But there is no such thing as a trusted Mercedes Indie around my area - any shop that actually hoists up the car and take it apart like to rip off Mercedes owners because - well it's a Mercedes it's just bound to be horrid to repair, they think, and I agree with them most of the time, unfortunately.

meh I'll just drive around keeping the fluid at the right level and test Mercedes about their "Fill for life" claim.

and save up for a proper dealer fluid service later.

TimFreeh · #9 03-26-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hk20000

meh I'll just drive around keeping the fluid at the right level and test Mercedes about their "Fill for life" claim.

and save up for a proper dealer fluid service later.

Good plan but your car should have a 722.423 transmission - which is a 4 speed automatic and the factory recommended transmission service interval is 30K for a fluid and filter change.

benztech13 · #10 03-26-2007, 08:15 PM

You get what you pay for at jiffy lube or somewhere like it. I have seen many butcher jobs come out of places like that. But I do know that the dealer is very pricey.

ozawa · #11 03-26-2007, 09:14 PM

do not under any circumstances let one of those tranny flushing machines anywhere near your car!

Hirnbeiss · #12 03-27-2007, 06:25 AM

Note that there are (at least) two kinds of flushing machines: one just exchanges the fluid via the cooler lines, which shouldn't cause any problems, and the other uses air pressure to also "agitate the fluid" and "remove dirt". I think shooting 100# air into your tranny has a reasonable chance of dislodging more than dirt, and that's probably what causes problems. Either that or a "tech" who didn't hook up the machines correctly.