W124 722.369 trans fluid

[speednjay]

I did a trans fluid and filter change about a month ago and now the transmission is acting up. I haven’t really been driving it lately. Shifting slow.. getting stuck between the gears. On the hwy if I let off the gas it’ll loose that gear and rev up then slam into the gear. But once it’s in gear it’s solid, no slipping. I had no issues before the fluid change so was thinking if I put the right type in. Dex3 correct? It was a dex3h and dec3g specific. Was told that the letter means it superseded the previous

[porkface]

dex3 is correct. the trans was probably on its last legs, you just hastened it's demise. every 30k is what's supposed to be done. however, if it's 300k now and had every change, well, it''s done anyways.

[Zulfiqar]

firstly make sure you have it correctly filled, setting the ATF level is pretty tricky on these old ones.

secondly - add a bottle of lubegard (red container only) - it makes the valvebody work more freely and also helps in quicker stalling of the clutch packs.

But do it in a way that you dont upset the fluid capacity.

[speednjay]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

firstly make sure you have it correctly filled, setting the ATF level is pretty tricky on these old ones.

secondly - add a bottle of lubegard (red container only) - it makes the valvebody work more freely and also helps in quicker stalling of the clutch packs.

But do it in a way that you dont upset the fluid capacity.

Ok I’ll give it a try. The car only has about 150k miles. I also have a transmission on the bench ready to swap in.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by speednjay

Ok I’ll give it a try. The car only has about 150k miles.

the cold mark for ATF on the 722.3 transmissions is 5mm below the low mark on the dipstick.

[speednjay]

It was a lil low. Warmed it up, topped it off. Last week it was high on the stick so I took some out.

[Sugar Bear]

Get the fluid level spot on and X2 on Lubegard. Go from there...

Good luck!!!

[speednjay]

Think maybe the vacuum modulator is leaking?

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by speednjay

Think maybe the vacuum modulator is leaking?

leaking vacuum modulator doesnt hang shifts - it bumps them hard. The modulator adjusts the "aggression" of the shifts while the bowden cable is to adjust the timing of the shifts.

[speednjay]

Got the fluid level up and thrifts a lot better. Still feels lazy when it shifts

[speednjay]

Originally Posted by speednjay

Got the fluid level up and thrifts a lot better. Still feels lazy when it shifts

Never mind I take it back. Went to the store drove ok..in the way back it was getting lost between the gears.

[Diseasel300]

You are checking fluid level with the transmission hot and the engine running, right? If not, you're probably severely low on fluid and would sure cause the problems you're having.

[speednjay]

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

You are checking fluid level with the transmission hot and the engine running, right? If not, you're probably severely low on fluid and would sure cause the problems you're having.

I am. The level seems to fluctuate severely

[Zulfiqar]

I hope hes checking on running engine - regardless of temperature.

Check the level with car parked on flat surface, and when its dead cold - e.g. first start in morning the fluid should be about 5mm below the lowest mark on dipstick, if its not at that mark then you are overfilled. Which you can verify by driving it for 10 minutes to warm up the ATF and check it, it will be above the top marks.

Another factor that is mostly ignored by most is the flow of ATF from the ATF cooler in the radiator, it maybe plugged with clutch debris (only seen a handful on mercedes though) - there is a product sold to clean the cooler too - a semi clogged cooler can cause lethargic shifts sometimes and also cause wild fluctuations in the fluid level. (I experienced a partial clogged cooler case in an old chrysler van - it was a headache and a half anyway)

[speednjay]

On the jy transmission I have the pressure overload sensor is shorted out. Any reason why they would do this?