Transmission Fluid 1997 E320 drained pan and torque converter. Almost 2gal came out
 

Would someone please tell me how many quarts of transmission fluid should go into a1997 E320 after I drained the pan and the torque converter. Almost 2gal came out, but I don't think that is right. The car had an issue with the control plate on the valve body and I think someone just threw fluid at the problem. Thanks. The car is a recent auction purchase . I bought the dipstick tool , but it's no help . Maybe I bought the wrong one. Thanks in advance!

Why is the dipstick "the wrong one" ?

2 gal might be right, look for fluid capacity for a 722.6 ( I don't have a list handy )

Because the dipstick tool seems to be too long , I can push it in and it will show full with only 5qts

The 722.6 dipstick tool is super long. I believe they did it so you wouldn't try to drive the car with the dipstick in.

Have you started the car and let it run to let it fill the converter, fill the cooler, etc?

2 gallons is the right amount. The 722.6xx holds about 8 liters. See OM. As mentioned it is not a dipstick but a dipstick 'tool' used to accurately measure the fluid level.

Set the fluid level, as follows-

Add about 7 qts of the correct fluid and measure the level with the car on level ground, engine running and in park. The fluid level should at least be at the lower band (marked 25) or maybe just into the band with the hatch marks. Drive the car 15-20 min (more if it's cold) to get the transmission up to temp. Recheck and add fluid until the level just reaches the upper band (marked 80). If you overfill, you need to drain some out.

That is about right...Now dissect your old filter, and look at the filter membrane...

What do the pan particles look like?

What do you guys think about this ATF filter? - Mercedes-Benz Forum

Martin

speaking of disecting the filter, I opened mine up (it was the OE filter with 140 part no. and date of 7/99)

it was thick dark gray throughout with just a hint of fine aluminium residue when seen with a very bright light. I could not find any copper colored dust.

The pan was opened for the first time in its life, gasket was hard as rock and the screws were really siezed in there. However the fluid was dark and would leave a yellow stain on the rags used to clean up.

Are you checking fluid level with the engine idling, transmission in park, and trans fluid warm? It reads much higher with the engine off.

Two gallons is about right. The owners manual has the fluid capacities in the technical data at the back - if you have it.

The stick references from the _bottom_ of the pan to get an accurate reading. It is long to cover the various length of tubes.

Did you run the engine and cycle the gear shift to make sure the converter has refilled?

Don't take this as gospel, and don't know if my W210 I6 diesel's AT was the same - but when I changed-out the torque converter and transmission fluid on my 99 E300, if memory serves, I put 7-qts. in. This was many years ago though.

When I drain the transmission and torque converter in my 199 E430 I get 8.5 liters.

The dipstick tool does not reach the bottom of the pan. Pictures have been posted to show that it hits on something else first. I believe the image was posted on Benzworld a few years back if you would like to look for it.

I was under the impression that the Chrysler version hit a ledge. ( white conductor plate.)

Regardless, the stick references from something in the trans not top of tube.

The dipstick has a rounded edge where the scale starts from the top, that edge stops at an edge around the end of the dipstick tube in the transmission.

The difference in scale is about 3mm. There is another red and blue colored dipstick available that actually measures from the bottom of the pan. In any case the fluid level is best checked with hot fluid.