Mercedes design flaw
 

I encountered what I seem to think is a design flaw.

When I was changing the transmission fluid I tried to drain the torque converter but the exhaust pipe run right under the opening of the transmission with no room to get in the opening at all. :confused:

I drained what I could through the oil pan and skip the torque converter. That to me seem like a really stupid design, a design flaw if you will.

I know nothing about the 400E. My 126 model has a cross-member that covers the torque converter drain plug access area. The plug is removed with a 5mm allen head.

Maybe the following thread will help.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/9934-400e-transmission-oil-filter-replacement.html?highlight=400E

zeronero,
Sometimes a 1/4 inch drive will work, sometimes a 1/4 drive with a wobbled allen will work and sometimes you just have to loosen the darn bolts on the exhaust system.
Careful not to strip the drain plug and please torque the plug so it will come out again.

Don't feel bad....it's not the only MB design flaw! While replacing spark plugs on my '92 500SEL the other day (not a simple job I found out!) I discovered that on #8 (I think...drivers side, rear-most) that they placed two rigid gas lines to the FI precisely on top of that plug....no possible way to get it out without disconnecting them, with the resulting air leaks into the fuel system! So....MB is human after all!

If those design flaws make Mercedes human I can think of a few more flaws that make it super human(sagging inside door handles,a tranny with a mind of it's own,leaking windows and sunroof,peeling clearcoat,plastic raditors that break and so on) but I still love them as all other cars are super human to the tenth power.........

William Rogers........

Hey zero

Is this the 400e that was in the accident??

.....and who thought it was a good idea to have a cross member under the 190 oil sump? Crazy!

Mike.

maybe, that part is officially called a "sump guard" ... ;)

what may appear as "design flaws" could actually be compromises among many factors (ease of maintenance is just one of them) ... but they certainly make the case for having the cars serviced in-house, due to the requirement for some "special tools" and/or "special training" ...

Yes, aside from looking horrible the car is mechanically perfect.

good luck with it. Have a 92' 300e and yours is a rear nice car.