W114 gearbox, how to top up oil?

[skalie]

Just happen to be 1400 km from home in a different country with limited internet and I think I have a gearbox issue.

W114 ambulance, has had a 300D motor installed, so possibly a non original gearbox, four speed manual.

It has developed a grinding noise when revving low, in first and second gear. Once the revs are up, back to normality.

Could this be a symptom of low gearbox oil, it does leak oil a little from somewhere ?

And, haven't been able to find with slow searching on the internet, how does one top up the oil, I've located what looks like a 17mm or so hexangular "alan key", bolt half way up the side of the gearbox, would that be the one ? No sign of a dipstick.

Thanks in advance

[Wodnek]

i did this once, so i can't remember where the filler is, but that sounds right. open up the cap, squeeze oil in until it runs out. that cap is at the correct level.

[Wodnek]

by the way.... sounds like a nice bit of history. any pics?

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by skalie

...
And, haven't been able to find with slow searching on the internet, how does one top up the oil, I've located what looks like a 17mm or so hexangular "alan key", bolt half way up the side of the gearbox, would that be the one ? No sign of a dipstick.

Thanks in advance

It will probably be a 14mm hex but yes - that's most likely the one you want.

Fill to spill

Though I'd go for a drain and fill with Kroon DEXRON II if I were you.

Drain - same size Allen head screw but on the underside.

Make sure the fill comes out first before you drain though!

[skalie]

Originally Posted by Wodnek

by the way.... sounds like a nice bit of history. any pics?

Tried uploading one, but would probably take two weeks to upload with this internet connection, will get some onboard when back home.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Make sure the fill comes out first before you drain though!

+1 on this!

It's an aggravating job refilling the differential using a syringe and flexible tubing through the vent.

[skalie]

Originally Posted by Stretch

It will probably be a 19mm hex but yes - that's most likely the one you want.

Fill to spill

Though I'd go for a drain and fill with Kroon DEXRON II if I were you.

Drain - same size Allen head screw but on the underside.

Make sure the fill comes out first before you drain though!

..... due to being on a campsite with limited resources, I'd prefer to top up for now and do a fresh change when I get back to my workspace.

Wouldn't want to make a mess here, which would probably happen, no ramps / pit / bridge.

However next issue; there are various schools of thought on here and elsewhere as what gearbox oil I should use, DEXTRON being ATF. Having no idea what oil is in the thing would DEXTRON be compatible with, say, the old fashioned type oils they used to use ?

I'm thinking about the incompatibilty of synthetic and mineral engine oils, to name an example.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by skalie

..... due to being on a campsite with limited resources, I'd prefer to top up for now and do a fresh change when I get back to my workspace.

Wouldn't want to make a mess here, which would probably happen, no ramps / pit / bridge.

However next issue; there are various schools of thought on here and elsewhere as what gearbox oil I should use, DEXTRON being ATF. Having no idea what oil is in the thing would DEXTRON be compatible with, say, the old fashioned type oils they used to use ?

I'm thinking about the incompatibilty of synthetic and mineral engine oils, to name an example.

Scrub the 19mm - it should be 14mm

The original oil in the gearbox should be DEXRON ATF in any case.

[skalie]

Thanks Stretch, seems that Dextron is backward compatible, so full of confidence.

[skalie]

Originally Posted by Wodnek

by the way.... sounds like a nice bit of history. any pics?

Better late than never.

[Stretch]

Do you always park in a dungeon?

Is this just in keeping with the hearse look?