The pan has to be removed to get at the filter. That drains all the fluid in the sump. Drain the torque convertor and you have done what MB recommends. Amoung true repair technicians tools like we are talking about are called wallet flushing devices. They are designed to repair the bottom line of deficient repair facilities. No manufacturer suggests using them!

You want to gauge a shops stature as a repair facility compare the amount of flushing equipment they have to factory level scan tools.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician