I changed the transmission fluid today on my 1999 E300. One thing that I am not certain about this the intended fluid level when completed. The tool markings from the end are:

|20| |80|

Where should the fluid read? I roughly measured out the fluid that I drained and have put in just a little less than the amount that I drained. After a 23 mile drive the fluid level reads about 2/3rds above the |20| mark.

My understanding is that the fluid level should be at or near the top mark when the fluid is at full operating temperature. Make sure to measure with the car idling on a level surface and in 'D' (and parking brake engaged). I've heard that some people try to feed a thermocouple down the dipstick tube, but measuring the pan temperature from underneath works better.

You used the special MB synthetic ATF (AKA Febi synthetic Dexron III), correct?

__________________
Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

The MB ATF is synthetic? Ive read the bottle at work and it seems to be conventional not synthetic? Same with the Febi ATFi we carry. The only synthetic ATF i know of is the mobil 1 ATF and amsoils ATF.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

The 20 and 80 refer to the temperature in Celcius.

You're supposed to be at the 20 mark when the fluid is at 20C or at the 80 mark at 80C. At the dealer they apparently can plug directly into a sensor to tell them the precise temperature of the fluid but after 20-30 minutes of driving you should be at 80C and the level should be at that mark.

You should have used the proper MB fluid which is synthetic (I think) although the bottle does not specifically say that, it just reads ATF fluid. They do have a new fluid for the new trannys which is supposed to be backward compatible that is also synthetic.

You should not be using conventional Dexron III in these 722.6XX transmissions under any circumstances.

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Some of the guys are saying not to use the 20C mark. They report the correct level can be read at the 80C mark only. It takes a lot of driving to get the temp that hot.

I've verified the level at 20C and 80C and found them to be identical...when it's full at 20C, it's full at 80C. It's much easier, obviously, to get the 20C reading.

__________________
1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

Not really a lot of driving. My tech had me drive it for a few miles and then we measured it.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

The fluid I purchased did not have a part number or description on the front other than it was tranmission fluid made by Mercedes. It was not cheap; I think I paid around $11.50 per quart. Here is picture of what I purchased.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Buy an infra red thermometer at Harbor Freight and ping the bottom of your tranny pan to make sure it's at 80 degrees C. DieselGiant has a write up on how to do this. Then you'll know you've hit the right temperature and should know how much fluid is supposed to be in it.

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

I would need to removed the belly pans use this, correct?

Yep thats the stuff they sell at my work. Not to brag or anything but its about $4/quart. The stealers really jack up the prices on resale. Anyway, if thats a synthetic then im going to be buying that! $7/quart for mobil 1 ATF is alot of $$$ in comparison to the MB labeled stuff.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

No. Just ping the bottom of the metal pan. Look at the pics on dieselgiant.com.

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Look at the BACK of the bottle, directly under the UPC code and you will find the part number. It will be something like A 001 989 21 03 10. Everything has a part number, EVERYTHING.

And I doubt very much you can get it for $4 a bottle anywhere.

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz