Ok so I'm trying to do a FULL DRAIN of the tranny AND TORQUE CONVERTER.

Working by myself in having no luck bumping the starter and getting under the car to see if I can see the TC drain then back in the car to bump it again and so on. I do not want to have to take time to remove the viscous clutch fan to access the 27mm bolt to manually turn the motor over.

Is this my only reasonable solution to get a full drain of the fluid or is there another? I don't want to put new filter and enough fluid minus the TC only to have it mix/blend together to give a mediocre fluid change. Any ideas certainly welcome - running out of time today.... Thanks

Dale

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Dale

The fan blade has an offset blade where you can stick a ratchet and socket on the crank bolt to turn it. Not too difficult when the car is on ramps or jackstands.

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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)

Oh no! Wish I had heard from you about 45 mins ago. Back together now and going for the 'partial' fluid change

Dale

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Dale

I just take a flat head screw driver and you can pry against the transmission case and the converter to rotate it around.

This is what I did on my SDL. If it's doable on a diesel, it should be doable on a gas engine too (lower compression). Certainly easier than trying to use the crank bolt or the starter since you can actually see what you're doing!

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Well, I'll know next time

Dale

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Dale

When I used to do that, I would use my fingers to feel the drain plug on the torque converter. (turning it slowly though) - Or just place a mirror angled to your advantage.

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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)

That’s the smart way. The other way is to watch for the drain plug while swinging the ratchet with your leg.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon