Recently bought a 1998 auto and I noticed a patch of oil on the concrete,after checking,I utilised PP to renew the oil filter,gasket and connector with o rings.
To my surprise it is still leaking trans fluid.
The car is parked on a slight slope,surely that's not the reason?
The leak appears to be coming from the LH rear of the trans pan,my car is RH drive.
Anyone else have this problem,I don't know what the 6 bolts should be torqued up to,anyone know?
Geoff in Oz.

Bolts attaching transmission fluid pan to the transmission should be torqued to 8 Nm (6 ft/lbs). It's possible that your pan is deformed from previous over-torqued bolts in an attempt to stop the leaking. The pan gasket and properly torqued bolts provide a tight seal. Best to remove the pan and check the condition of the flange surface with a straight edge. Adjust, as required, so the flange is perfectly flat and will provide a tight, unifrom seal when the pan is installed.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks Fred I will try that,when I was putting the new gasket on the pan it was a sloppy fit hmmmm!

Further investigation has revealed that the oil leak is from the left hand side of the gear box where there is a metal strip with a brass hinge connected to an electrical cable leading into the cabin.
The leak point is from a metal plug inserted into the side of the box locating the metal strip.the plug is serrated round steel with a flat on it.
Anyone tell me what this is,can I screw it or hammer it in?
Gearbox is a 722.6

I beleive there is no brass part external to this gearbox, The usual point of leak is a round electric connector at the front of the gearbox (this should be located at the right side of the car (drivers side for you).

It is covered by a plate which is screwed through when you install the transmission sump. - Its very easy to replace - buy a new one from Mercedes Benz dealer and replace it, it uses a 7mm hex bolt in its center to install it to the gearbox. To install it slather a lot of ATF to the O rings and it should pop in with some effort (make sure the pins are aligned before applying force) - the bolt is only tightened finger tight at most.


The other bit that leaks on the older 722.6 gearboxes is called the parking lock interlock cable (PLIL cable) - it has an accordion rubber on it and is located at the tail of the gearbox on the left side (passenger for you). You can google PLIL change to see how to change it.

You mention that the gasket felt floppy - its perfectly normal as its quite thick. It also is pretty low torque on the bolts - make sure the spacers are installed with each bolt to ensure the sump does not roll the gasket like it could on the older MB gearboxes.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Thanks for the info mate.
I have renewed the electrical connector and o rings.there is no leak at the front of the trans.
What you are saying about the PLIL is interesting,the metal strip/strap is at 45 deg approx,in a similar position to where you are describing.
The metal strap approx 4 inch long is located on the splined plug which is about 1/2 dia
Looking up along the line of the strap there is what appears to be a brass hinge and the electric cable to the cabin.
I will check that PLIL part.
Thanks Geoff

I searched "722.6 diagrams"and found a thread by ladfalat,transmission leak.There is a post by Wizo with a 722.6 diagram.
The metal strap I am referring to is numbered 30 in the diagram,can anyone advise as to what this part is and does.There is a flat on there for wrenching and the dia. indicates a screw thread!

so this is a diagram you are pointing out

722.6 transmission leak

The no.30 part is a round seal in the transmission, and that linkage on it is not brass, its electroplated steel.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I stand corrected mate.Thanks.
Yes that is the diagram,what is part 25 in the diagram,that's the steel strap I am referring to.
What are the MB p/n for 25 and 30 in the diagram,anyone know?
I figure that round seal 30 is where the leak is occurring.

the no. 25 is the manual valve lever, it connects to your shifter stick in the car. I dont think I have come across any car in which that part wore out.

to remove that part, the manual valve is released from the transmission valve body first.

If your transmission has a PLIL then that item has a higher chance of being the leak. you might need to add some flourscent dye to see the leak.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I figure that the manual valve lever 25 is okay but,the seal 30 is the culprit.i can see fluid leakin from under the lever.
Can I safely remove the lever to replace the seal?
The retaining bolt has the serrations but is also threaded.
My car has 100 Kim's on the clock!
I will check the PLIL ASAP.
Thanks again Geoff.

I have checked the PLIL and as the car is parked on a slope there is no leak evident.i.e. the angle means the PLIL is lower than the lever pivot point where the leak is.
To change the manual shift lever seal I will have to remove the pan and access the valve body to release the parts?
Is that correct?
ATM the leak is minimal because using a pry bar I applied pressure to the pivot point and arm inwards.
I suspect it will return!
Perhaps the reason for wear is due to the previous owner using the manual gear change often!

To remove the manual valve lever you need to drop the sump and undo it from the valve body, its not very complex.

If you say the previous owner used the 4321 - quadrant a lot and it caused the lever seal to wear out then that is incorrect.

the manual valve only has 4 detents which are PRND - when the shifter moves to 4321 (below D) the manual valve does not move, the 4321 are small electric switches in the shifter assembly which relay information to the transmission computer that the driver is demanding manual shift control.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Wow you sure know these trans mate,thanks for your assistance,I know what to do if it gets worse,ATM I will sit on it.
I have a friend in Corpus Christi anywhere near you?
Regards Geoff.

Im in Houston/Richmond.

btw - I learnt this from help of a user called MAVA, and by tearing into a chrysler unit which was in a totalled car.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)