Need Fluid Specs for 95 E320 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kestas · #1 07-01-2002, 03:26 PM

I'm the new owner of this car and I want to make sure it's cared for properly. I'm looking for the maintenance specs for this car and find the owner's manual is useless. It tells you to use "Mercedes Benz approved" fluid for engine oil, transmission, coolant, etc. The only good information I have from the manual is that the car uses DOT 4 brake fluid. The manual is obviously written for the person who has the dealer do the work.

I'd like to know if I can use what the local auto store sells. Would someone please tell me what ARE the appropriate fluids to use in this car, and at what intervals (severe service) they should be changed?

One immediate concern is the coolant. It has an orange-brown color to it. I don't know if this is Dexcool, or if it's running pure water and I'm seeing corrosion!

engatwork · #2 07-01-2002, 04:30 PM

We need to be easy with this one. The coolant sounds like the MB coolant. See if you can find out what kind of oil has been used and just stick with changing it and the fluid between 3 and 5k miles and change it hot. Stay away from quick change type of oil change businesses - find a good independent mechanic in the area that you can trust.

You should be able to purchase the appropriate brake fluid at your local auto parts store. Just make sure it is whatever the manual says it should be rated for.

You got any records with the car? Do a search on the 104 engine and you will find out pretty much everything that you need to know about this engine. The issues that they present are pretty well known.

I think they are all around pretty good cars but they ain't a W123 (my inner self saying "are you nuts").

good luck

Arthur Dalton · #3 07-01-2002, 08:34 PM

An oil spec you may be interested in :
There is a TSB on your E320 for eng. crankcase capacity.\TSB 18/45-00/134
Effective imediately:
Oil capacity has been reduced to 7.0 ltr from 7.5 ltr. w-O/Filter change.....
They also recommend changing the specs in the owners manual...

Kestas · #4 07-02-2002, 08:44 AM

I have no records for the car. I was told it was probably serviced by a dealer in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

Are you sure the coolant is okay? The owners manual specifies ethylene glycol. The only ethylene glycol I've seen is green.

I'll be doing my own oil changes. I'm an accomplished and experienced diy'er. This usually keeps any consequential problems others experience at an oil change place to a minimum. Capacity change spelled out in the TSB doesn't alarm me....the dipstick would tell me the proper level. Thanks, anyhow.

What transmission fluid does it use? I plan on changing it during winter storage.

Arthur Dalton · #5 07-02-2002, 09:37 AM

< >>

Well, part of the TSBs on the 104 eng is the Dip stick modified info,,,
That is another TSB you should be aware of.....

Gilly · #6 07-02-2002, 09:56 AM

MB does have approved product lists that come with the new cars, yours probably came with one originally. If you call MB at the 1 800 FOR MERCedes number, i bet they'd mail you one for free.

On the coolant, the MB coolant is rather yellowish looking, not green. Recently they switched to a blue coolant, but what the dealer sells is still the yellow stuff. The overall effect when it gets old is indeed alot like dexcool, yellow-orangish looking, so I wouldn't sweat the water/rust cooncern, but comendable that you'd notice this. MB stuff is really preferred to use, but if you aren't near a dealer, just get something which is specifically intended for use in aluminum engines, even though the MB engine usually isn't all aluminum. Stick with the name brands.

Brake fluid, again MB is preferred, if you can find another brand of DOT4+, then use it. It's NOT silicone though. Should be flushed at least every 2 years, the coolant is supposed to be done every 3 years.

The transmission fluid, use a good brand name DexronIII/Mercon. The torque converter has a drain plug, in addition to the transmission pan. Have to rotate the engine through and watch for the drain plug. Only rotate the engine in a clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the engine, don't rotate counterclockwise.

Gilly

Kestas · #7 07-02-2002, 10:03 AM

Thanks, Gilly. Your information is much appreciated.

Gilly · #8 07-02-2002, 10:10 AM

No sweat.
Do try calling for that pamphlet on approved service products, MB is usually pretty generous about this type of thing.
Gilly