Hello,

I am new to the site. Have already learned a lot from all the good information and the search engine. I just got a 85 300D which I am really enjoying. I want to make sure the transmission gets good fluid. It seems to shift hard from 1st to 2nd but I can feather the gas to make it shift better.

I am thinking about going with the Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF Synthetic Blend which sounds like a good product but not still not as expensive as full synthetic but with good protection.

Has anyone used this? What do you think?

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_Multi-Vehicle_ATF.aspx

I got a transmission kit from Napa with the filter and gasket. The gasket seems to be some hard plastic. Do I want a cork gasket?

Thanks,

welcome to the site
never used the muti vehicle atf but the gasket sounds right. no you dont want a cork and i dont even think they make a cork gasket for your car.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Definately go with the rubber gasket they gave you. It can also be reused if you have to take the pan off soon for whatever reason as long as its not too bad. It also doesn't require any gasket sealant. I thought the rubber gasket on my valve cover was the best idea in the world. Its dang handy.

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

Personally I would go with the full synthetic, then you can really extend your change intervals. My second choice would be just regular ATF changed at the recommended interval. You don't get too much benefit from a blend although I'm sure it's better than plain ATF, just costs more.

Make sure you drain the torque converter when you change the fluid too. It has a little drain plug on it. Torque converter is behind a metal cover with slots in it and can be rotated with a large screwdriver to get the drain plug pointing down where you can get a hex/allen wrench on it.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

I refilled my 85 wagon with Mobil 1 synthetic and it seems to have made the car shift more smoothly. The major benefit is that a synthetic will not break down as soon as dino fluid will, and unlike engine oil, there is not as much heat in the trammy and no soot, so the ATF should be good for 50K miles or more. A car can leak fluid, but it won't burn it unless there is something drastically wrong and that's only in some cars, not Mercedes-Benzes.

Or so I think.

The difference in price does not seem to be a big deal.

Mobil 1 Synthetic is mre available here in FL than in Missouri. When the tranny went out on my sister's 95 Taurus at 65K miles, I decided to refill it with Mobil 1, but not one of the local parts stores had heard of it or knew where to find it. I called darn near everyone in the greater Kansas City area and couldn't find anyone that kept it in stock. One guy offered to special order it at something like $7.00 a quart. Ford has something synthetic even more expensive that they special order for racers.

So if her tranny is down a quart, she won't be able to refill it with anything but the dino stuff, so I gave up.

I'm sure that at least someone sells Mobil1 ATF in KC MO or KC KS, but I couldn't find them at all.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Sounds like a got a good kit and will drain the transmission and torque converter today.

I had a hard time too finding Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Made some calls and might of found some. I should have no problem changing over to synthetic since I am going to replace the pan gasket? Any issues I need to address before I change it over to synthetic? How much should I buy at store? 8 quarts?


Thanks,

If you have your owners manual it says how much it takes.... 8qts sounds about right though, maybe a little more. There's nothing special to do for synthetic so you're good to go when you find some. I used Amsoil universal ATF in mine since I have to order whatever synthetic ATF I use anyway. I have found Castrol synthetic ATF at a parts store near me since then (used it for power steering), it's also very high quality.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

In my area all the major chain and autoparts stores carry Mobil 1 ATF. The trans does seem to shift better with it, the only downside seems to be cost.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You should use the best in your Merc and that is AMSOIL Synthetic ATF, This stuff is good for 100,000 miles and will improve fuel milage and better flow in cold weahter. Go to this site and read up on the products and make your own decision. I have two Merc and two tractors as well as a van and various other vehicles and they all have Amsoil synthetic lubricants. These products are approved by Mercedes and meet all soecs and then some.Good luck


http://www.synthetic-oil-tech.com/1359048/