I own a 1986 300E with 192k mi. on it. On July 21st I put the car in the transmission shop to correct this problem. The mechanic told me I had a leaking front seal and a leak from the dipstick. He also said all of the outer seals were old(brittle)so he replaced them and supposedly fixed the leaks to the tune of $600.(I don't know sounds kind of high for outer seals, if you didn't have to take the tranny apart. I may be wrong). Lo and behold a month later(August 21st to be exact) you guest it the tranny sti
ll leaks. Returned the car to the shop. Mechanic states something must not have been tightened all the way. Waited exactly a week to get the car back. You guested it, still leaks. The mechanic states there must be inner seals that are bad(still where can the leak be coming from). Short of violence, does anyone have any ideas pertaining to the leak, where this fluid can be coming from? Help, before something major happens to the car or the mechanic!!!

If it is from the front area, I have seen many torque converters leak there. It will fool even the best techs.
Good luck and let us know.


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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
300E
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

I saw a case that a leak came from the drain plug of a torque converter.

David

Does the tranny have to come out to get to the drain plug on the converter, shouldn't the tech have picked this up, a family member is a tech for nissan is this something he could do or must it be brought back to the shop?

I just had to deal with a leaking front seal a couple of weeks ago. The long and short of it was, after taking it to a couple of tranny shops,I took it to the local MB dealer.

All the Trans shops wanted to replace the trans and wouldn't give any warranty or guarantee it wouldn't leak again.

The dealer however,recommended to simply re-seal the trans. Not only did they fix it for a third the price of a rebuilt one,they warrant their parts for one year.

The important key to their recommendation to re-seal it was that it was shifting perfectly. I would think that would apply in your case as well.

Sometimes, it's better to take it to a dealer or factory trained specialist.

Mr. BILL

85 300D
84 300SD

[This message has been edited by Mr. BILL (edited 09-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Mr. BILL (edited 09-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Mr. BILL (edited 09-11-2000).]

Thought about doing just that at first but didn't follow through,hopefully this can be salvaged without costing me an arm and a leg.

I saw no mention of the tranny fluid level after the initial repair. Could it be possible that the shop overfilled your tranny after replacing all the outer seals? Check the fluid level, cold, it should be approximately 10mm below the full line for proper operation.

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Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

To remove or install the drain plug, all you have to do is go under the car and turn the engine forward by hand until you see the plug on the torque converters. Your family tech member should be able to tell you more. In my case, tightening the drain plug fixed my problem.

Once the tranny is off the car for inspection, the shop should be able to tell if you need a rebuild tranny or just a seal job. You have to find a honest mechanic and to trust his findings.


David

Stop, look and listen. Internal seal leakage does not produce external leaks. You could be leaking from a number of locations. Front seal on converter. The converter itself (including drain plug). Transmission cooling lines at the tranny. Take the car away from the guys who are currently working on it before you spend all of your retirement money. Get a hold of some ultraviolet dye used for chasing leaks in A/C systems. Clean up the transmission case as best you can (spray it off from below with carb/injector cleaner). Squirt the dye into the filler pipe and top up the fluid. Start it up let it run up to temp, go for a 10-20 mile drive and come back and look underneath with a "black light". If the leaks is still leaking you should be able to narrow down the point of origin.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

Jeff and Mike Tangas,
I looked at the fluid level with the car cold(let it sit overnight)and to my disbelief, this thing is so full of fluid that it looks like I have enough fluid to fill your car and anyone else's who's low. Don't these guys measure how much fluid they put in when they fill a tranny. Anyway, I'm gonna try your method with my brother to see what I come up with. I'll keep everyone posted.
I forgot to mention that the tranny doesn't start to leak(well I don't see the fluid on the ground)until about 2 to 3 hours after the car is shut off. Does this make any sense. The leaks seem to be coming from both sides of the tranny(2 seperate spots).

[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 09-13-2000).]

Drain all of the excess fluid, clean up the case and look for the leak. You may be suffering from a chronic overfill condition.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

quote:

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Originally posted by jeffsr:
Drain all of the excess fluid, clean up the case and look for the leak. You may be suffering from a chronic overfill condition.

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First thing in the morning. Thanks once again.

Rich,

Look under the good MB technician board, where I have posted one of the most best techs in the NYC area (KRAFT MOTORS).

I dont know the phone # off the top of my head, but call 411 and give them the address. Talk to Steve, and tell him exactly what you've posted here--hes most likely gonna tell you to bring it in and have a look at it. I am positive he will find your problem

Stay off staten island with mechanics--almost all of them are crooks.


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Agron
1989 300E
Monotoned Smoke Silver
97 Style Replica E420 Rims 205/55/16
Euro Headlights
Clear Corners
20% Tint
12" Sub-enclosure

You did not tell us how you check the fluid level. I assume that you follow the proper steps to check the tranny fluid as stated in your owner's handbook. If you cannot find the handbook, use the following steps:

(1) Car is at operating temperature and on level ground.
(2) Start the car. Set your parking brake and press the brake pedal firmly.
(3) Move the shift level from P to R, N, D, and so on. Stay in each position for seconds and finally back to P.
(4) Got out of the car and check the fluid level when the engine is still running. The fluid should be pink in color with no bubbles (foaming). Be careful how you clean the dip stick - do not get any linen fibers into the tranny. I usually wipe the dip stick with my finger and clean my finger later.


David

[This message has been edited by be459 (edited 09-13-2000).]