First, let me note that I have reviewed the recent thread re: power steering fluid vs. ATF. Since I noticed a groan the other day, I took a peek and discovered my res was to the bottom line

Poked around and found only "F" ATF in my barn as well as a fresh bottle of PS fluid. Since the current content (albeit skimpy) is red and smells like ATF, I dumped the FOMOCO-approved stuff in. Have I committed a misstep?? Woulda been prudent to post this prior to dumping, huh? Anyway, what's the verdict, should I siphon it out and start over in case I am mixing some type of Dextron stuff or other juice with Ford ATF? OR, am I good to go? Have not fired it up and will not until I hear from ya'll experts. Thanx

BTW -- refurbished my under-cowl air screens today by piecing the large one back together in 4 spots with packaging tape and then glued two layers of window screen over the flimsy plastic frames. They seem pretty solid now, time will tell.

The PS in the W108 uses auto tranny juice, says so right on the lid of the reservoir.

I used Mobil 1 synthetic, quieted the pump down quite a bit. Once I get the air out, I think it will be completely quiet!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Peter, even I can read the lid of the res, unfortunately, mine is devoid of stickers or any other info

So, any insights on the potential mix of non-FoMoCo ATF with "F" type??

kpb

It's all ATF. Type F has a different mix of friction modifiers that allows less clutch slip, not an issue in the PS system.

Don't worry about it. You did, however, miss a chance to replace the filter and exhange some of the fluid.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Peter, thanx for the info. May have missed the chance this time but when my order arrives in about 2 days with my PS filter, the chance shall be rejuvinated.

Just had to drive it tonight, hit an indicated 110mph (optimistic speedo I think), thus my need to top off NOW!!

Wait a minute.... when MB posted "ATF only" on reservoirs there was Type A fluid that was being replaced by Type F accross the board..... and then MB stopped posting "ATF only" on the reservoirs altogether. Just my opinion, but it strikes me that official MB fluid at less than $10 per bottle should solve any discrepancy. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to go with Type A instead of Type F....... or maybe not, as both were contemporary to each other - what the hell.

Peter, on my reservoir it says "NOT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID". Is that what it should say? I know that that first word starts with an "N" but it almost looks like it says "NUR", but I am not sure. Please help me out with this matter.
Thanks
Tim

Ok, now I'm confused. I realize that there are two trains of thought re: the proper fluid in the PS res. What concerns me is that Tim, who has the same year as me and the same engine in his 108 (SEL, mine is an SE) has a "verboten" sticker or warning re: ATF. Wut gives?

Since I know little of the chemistry involved, I am concerned that switching to "true" ps fluid after 32 yrs. of ATF could wreak havoc on internal seals. Is this a valid fear?

Anxiously awaiting expert posts...

kpb

I have used ATF since I got my car and it works very well, it is a little heaver and put a little extra pressure in the system. I think it is harmless as I used it with no problems in my original 108 some 15 years ago. Leaks are a problem in these old cars and this is a good constant replacement fluid.

auf Deutsch???

A clarification about type A and type F -- the early Borg-Warner and Ford transmissions did not require friction improvers like GM models did in order to reach acceptable shifting smoothness, although some would say that this was because Ford had a lower standard of smoothness than GM, but in the days of type A, the only really satisfactory friction improver for this purpose was genuine natural whale oil. When whale hunting became more difficult for various practical and political reasons, GM and others developed the Dexron series of fluids with synthetic friction modifiers instead of whale oil, but many of the specs stayed the same as type A. Eventually the specs for heat resistance got tougher and tougher and this lead to Dexron II, III, etc., and by about 1980 Ford decided that they were losing enough sales to others on the basis of shifting smoothness that they began to specify Dexron, too, only they called it "Mercon." Basically, then, anywhere type A was specified, Dexron should be even better.

SAAB was the only manufacturer which continued to need type F up to 1994 for the classic 900 series (my daughter has one) because the guts of their transaxles are essentially the Borg-Warner type 35 or 37 trans originally developed for the 1950 Studebaker and some European brands, with only minimal updates. It is very important that these get type F or type F equivalent synthetics (AMSOIL racing type, for instance), or they will burn their clutches quickly.

Nur (I can't type the umlaut at the moment) indeed means only.

I don't believe that PS fluid was very common when these cars were new -- everything I remember from those years used ATF.

GM trannies burned up fast enough with Dextron fluid, without help. You got better shifts with Type F (less slop) -- I've always believed that the use of type A was for sloppier (read smoother) shifts, otherwise they had to be compatible. GM always used lower control pressures, and some of the early Hydramatic transmissions were nightmares (Buick Twin Turbine, for instance, along with the Cadillac/Oldsmobile 4-speed dual fluid coupling monster). Excess heat would cook them in no time. Ford always stayed with simple two and three speed band and clutch with torque converter (Borg Warner) trannies.

A smart tranny rebuilder used semi-metallic frictions instead of the standard paper, and the fuild type became moot.

As far as the Benz, the owner's manual says Dextron in tranny and PS.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Peter, since we are on tranies, would you (and others) read my question on 560 SEC. Thanks.