123 tranny fluid & filter change

[kenwc21]

Hi MBZ fans,

My friends tranny has started to act up a bit, so I figure it's time for a fluid and filter change, has not been done for 3-4 years(30-40K miles) So, having never worked under the car (I can change the oil and oil filter and all the fuel filters) I need a little help.

I know there is a small hex bolt on the tranny fluid pan, so I'll remove, naturally that first. After that, I'm a little lost. I assume the next step is the pan itself and then the filter, but I'm unsure how to proceed. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

If your wondering, my friend is a girl.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

Ken

Don't forget to drain the torque converter because there's a lot of fluid in there also.

[engatwork]

Get a 27mm socket to use to turn the engine over until the torque converter drain plug is at the opening at the bell housing. Also, you will need new gaskets for the plugs, new gasket for the tranny pan and a new tranny filter. Drain the pan plug and then torque converter, remove the tranny pan and replace the filter. Pay close attention to make sure you torque the filter to the proper spec. Torque the drain plan to the proper torque in the "star" pattern and then torque the drain plugs with the new gaskets. Now the hard part (to me at least) put four quarts of Mercon/DextronIII in and crank the car. Add another quart of tranny fluid and then continue adding until you are at the proper level - should be somewhere around 6 to 6.5 quarts. Once you get to around 6 quarts you will need to drive it and get it to operating temp then check and add as necessary.

[be459]

I suggest that you do not drain the torque converter until you feel comfortable to do so. Removing the pan and filter under the car is already a hard work. To make up for not draining the torque converter, you may drain the pan every 5000 miles by the drain plug (easy work); change the filter (hard and massy job) every 15000 to 25000 miles.

Whatever you want to do, you need to have a new washer for the drain plug. It will be better if you can have a spare drain plug handy too. You may sripe the hex head of the drain plug during removal. If you reuse a striped plug, you may have hardtime unscrewing it next time.

I use Topsider to suck up the tranny fuild about every motor oil change, changing about 3 qt each time, not a lot, but that keeps the tranny clean and chemically updated.

David