ATF Leak: Weighing My Options - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 03-19-2007, 05:13 PM

I've learned that I have a transmission leak at least at the front pump seal. My indie, who I believe to be honest, competent, and thorough, has quoted me $900 (which includes replacing other seals as well...as long as he's in there).

OPTION 1 is just to go ahead and do it. But I'm reluctant to spend that kind of money to seal a transmission with 188k miles on it when a rebuild or replacement may, for all I know, be in my near future....throwing good money after bad.

OPTION 2 is to do the rebuild or replacement now. Even though that costs more, at least I know everything is done. But I'm even more reluctant to spend $2500 or whatever.

OPTION 3 is simply to keep topping off the fluid ad infinitum. While this is admittedly environmentally irresponsible, it enables me to stall for time.

OPTION 4 is to try some sort of well-regarded stop leak, like Lucas Transmission Fix. Is there any reason not to give this a try? Can it hurt? I'm not terribly impressed with comments to the effect that "all stop leak products are snake oil"...but I am certainly open to actual reasons why I should not use the Lucas product.

Other than the leak, the tranny works perfectly.

What would you do and why?

pawoSD · #2 03-19-2007, 06:28 PM

I had the seals in my tranny re-done by the dealer 3.5 years ago at a mileage of 213k (same seal was leaking, but they replaced all of them), it now has 256k on it and its still shifting great! They said it had very little wear on it when they had it out and were doing the seals, and should be good for a long time, so far that has held true! It cost about $1100 and it hasn't leaked a drop since. I don't doubt it will last past 300k easy. Especially since about 30-40% of my driving is freeway.

TheDon · #3 03-19-2007, 07:04 PM

271k on an original tranny with only a slight drip every once and a while.. knock on wood

benzforlife · #4 03-19-2007, 07:05 PM

get them to see "if they can" how the tranny look inside, while its out of the car, go from there
if the tranny is shifting great then dont touch it, by the sound of, it seems that u think it may not last, meaning that it is acting up...

Hatterasguy · #5 03-19-2007, 07:10 PM

A rebuilt tranny for one of these cars should cost no more then $1,500, throw in another $400-$500 to change it.

I wouldn't spend $900 to re seal an old transmission, it could blow shortly after.

How bad is the leak? If its not bad just keep adding fluid until you can get it rebuilt.

shertex · #6 03-19-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

How bad is the leak? If its not bad just keep adding fluid until you can get it rebuilt.

I'm finding I have to top it off at least once a week...more often if I want to be really anal about it.

Hatterasguy · #7 03-19-2007, 07:23 PM

Oh well thats quite bad, you probably should fix that.

The front seal on my trans still leaks, even though I replaced it. The shaft for the TC is worn so its going to leak no matter what. The new seal did slow it down about 50% though. Next time I have some spare cash I'm going to yank the trans again and have it rebuilt, its 20 years old and getting soft, so its time. Cost about $1k. I don't know about on the W124 but on the W126 you can pull it in about two hours, maybe a bit less if you have a lift and a shop.

shertex · #8 03-19-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Oh well thats quite bad, you probably should fix that.

That was part of my logic in considering the Lucas stop leak product. If sealing it is throwing good money after bad, and if I eventually need a rebuild, what do I have to lose by trying the stuff? (other than the respect of some MB purists...

)

benzforlife · #9 03-19-2007, 07:34 PM

u could try the lucas stuff, at this point what do u have to lose?

Hatterasguy · #10 03-19-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

That was part of my logic in considering the Lucas stop leak product. If sealing it is throwing good money after bad, and if I eventually need a rebuild, what do I have to lose by trying the stuff? (other than the respect of some MB purists...

)

You could try Trans X, I used it and it helped a little. Some people swear by it. I have never used Lucus, so I can't comment on it.