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  #1  
Old 03-02-2008, 08:03 AM
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Question E300TD 1999 Transmission problem

Twice when first starting out, the car will jerk. The first time wasn't so bad, but it happened again yesterday when my wife first started pulling out of the parking lot at the grocery store. She was only in the store for about 10 to 15 minutes. She said it jerked very hard this time and did it 3 or 4 times before straightening out. It seems once you are able to gain any speed it stops the jerking.

My plan is to change the transmission fuel and filter since this has never been done. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Current Mileage 88653

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1999 E300 TD (79K)
1991 VW Jetta Turbo Diesel (49K)
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  #2  
Old 03-02-2008, 08:12 AM
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Start with fluid and filter but you can also bring it in and have the codes read by the dealer. That's the best way to diagnose it. In fact, if you have the dealer do the fluid change they may just read the codes for you for free when they have it in there basically offsetting the cost of the labor for changing the fluid. Plus, if it turns out to be something internal to the transmission it will save you having to pay for 8-9 more litres of the $15/L fluid to get it corrected.

As much as I hate to say it the 722.6 transmission is one of the areas I would say a good honest dealer can actually save you heartache and trouble by bringing it to them for diagnosis. If you can find a good, honest dealer that is.

If you do the fluid change yourself make sure you use only the correct M-B fluid.
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  #3  
Old 03-02-2008, 01:31 PM
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Dipstick Missing

I went to check the fluid level and found that the dipstick did not come out with the cap - I was able to feel about 2 ft down with a mechanics helper and there isn't a dipstick at all. We are not the original owners.

Is the dipstick a common failure? Even the rubber seal on it isn't any good.

Thanks for all your help!
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1999 E300 TD (79K)
1991 VW Jetta Turbo Diesel (49K)
1986 Nissan Pickup (136K)
1975 MGB (?K)
1987 Harley Davidson (6K)
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  #4  
Old 03-02-2008, 01:39 PM
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Have the fluid changed, and have the dealer hook it up to the SDS while they are doing it. From my understanding it should be able to tell you some usefull things like if the bands are worn.

The fluid on these really should be changed every 60k, but since they are out of warranty MB doesn't care.


Their is no dipstick, its a tool that you can buy but you don't leave it in the tube. That cap is a one time use deal that just snaps over, make sure no dirt gets in their now that you have opened it.
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  #5  
Old 03-02-2008, 02:30 PM
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Without the red pin in place it is possible for the cap to vibrate off and get lost....ask me how I know.....
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  #6  
Old 03-02-2008, 02:32 PM
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Yeah, there should have been a platic lock on the cover to prevent you from opening it. It that was already broken then someone (not a dealer) was looking in the dipstick hole and didn't replace the cap with a new one. The tool to measure the level is about $50 IIRC and you will need one if you want to change the fluid yourself. Like I said, the 722.6 is really not all that DIY friendly other than just simple fluid and filter changes and any faults are best read from stored codes by the SDS system at the dealership.
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  #7  
Old 03-02-2008, 02:46 PM
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Thanks for the warning, I would have learned that one the hard way
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  #8  
Old 03-02-2008, 02:57 PM
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Cool

You are correct the red pin was there until I removed it. No dip stick scared the &^%$ out of me.

I'm so use to doing my own thing...I've rebuilt a 240D & 300SD engine, as well as a '72 Chevy Malibu transmission, but I do understand your concern is that I can't read the codes. Guess I will be calling Mercedes in the morning.

Thank You all for your help
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Marietta, GA

1999 E300 TD (79K)
1991 VW Jetta Turbo Diesel (49K)
1986 Nissan Pickup (136K)
1975 MGB (?K)
1987 Harley Davidson (6K)
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  #9  
Old 03-02-2008, 04:09 PM
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If you can buy or borrow the dipstick tool it would be worthwhile to check the fluid level before you do anything else just to confirm it isn't low. These transmissions did have a tendancy to leak from the electonic interface plug seal located near the front corner on the passenger side of the case and the part was updated a number of years ago. It's possible that yours was never updated and has leaked to the point that the fluid is too low. The thing is, if you spend the money for the tool and the fluid is right then you'll wasted that money and not be any closer to a solution so its a gamble. Maybe there is someone on this board who lives near you that you can borrow the tool from? Here's an aftermarket one that is not too expensive:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-722-6-Transmission-Fluid-Dipstick-Repair-Tool_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35625QQihZ002QQitemZ120228490388QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

And here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/722-6-Transmission-Dipstick-Tool-Mercedes-C280-C43-C240_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43998QQihZ007QQitemZ170198507747QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

You can get the replacement cap at the parts counter at the dealership. I think they run about $1-$2
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Last edited by nhdoc; 03-02-2008 at 04:15 PM.
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  #10  
Old 03-03-2008, 08:35 AM
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Called RBM Mercedes of Atlanta dealer

No codes since the check engine light is not on. Recommends on do nothing until transmission fails, problem may have been a fluke. You should not have to add fluid since the transmission is a sealed unit, they don't even have a labor code to perform fluid and filter change. They also claim this transmission is bullet proof, he has been working their for 12 years and has seen only one fail.

Any thoughts?
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Marietta, GA

1999 E300 TD (79K)
1991 VW Jetta Turbo Diesel (49K)
1986 Nissan Pickup (136K)
1975 MGB (?K)
1987 Harley Davidson (6K)
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  #11  
Old 03-03-2008, 09:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jearnold View Post
Called RBM Mercedes of Atlanta dealer

No codes since the check engine light is not on. Recommends on do nothing until transmission fails, problem may have been a fluke. You should not have to add fluid since the transmission is a sealed unit, they don't even have a labor code to perform fluid and filter change. They also claim this transmission is bullet proof, he has been working their for 12 years and has seen only one fail.

Any thoughts?
Yeah, first thought is they are idiots, or rather the service adivsor you spoke to is an idiot. When I first bought my '98 I was told the same thing by my SA. Also, in my wagon which has the same 722.6 we experienced a failed TCM and never got a check engine light so the fact that no CEL is lit does not mean they cannot read the adaptation codes and find the problem. Find yourself another dealer or call M-B USA and ask if they now recommend fluid and filter service for your transmission or not.

It's funny that they repeat the party line about almost never having seen a failed one and yet they tell you to continue to drive until it fails? They want to sell you a $4000 transmission not a $250 service is why they tell you not to change the fluid regularly. The old line was "sealed for life" which is about 100,000 miles typically if the fluid isn't changed...then you buy a new tranny. Now they actually do recommend an initial service at 39,000 miles I understand but I don't know if they call for a service interval after that or not.

Doesn't one of our members (M.B.Doc?) work in the Atlanta area? Maybe you need to find him.
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Last edited by nhdoc; 03-03-2008 at 10:41 AM.
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  #12  
Old 03-03-2008, 11:06 AM
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What I would do would be to get them to drain the TC if you have a plug and drain the pan and change the filter. SDS will be able to tell when the temp is right and they will have the dispstick to check the level when the temp is right. Yes, they told me the same thing but guess what? The fluid was a little darker than what went in at 60K.

Something from our resident masterbate tech: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=702285&postcount=8

Filled for life?
The 722.6 Automatic Transmission uses a special oil and is said to be filled for life. The oil can only be purchased through the Mercedes-Benz dealer using part number 001-989-21-03-10. A 722.6 holds about 9.3 liters and the fluid is sold by the liter. Checking the fluid is accomplished by breaking off the red locking seal located at the dip stick. the lock is replaced after the oil is checked. Use part number 140-991-00-55 for a new lock. There is no dip stick to check the ATF. You need a special tool to check the fluid on all 722.6 transmissions, part number 140-589-15-21-00. The oil level is a critical factor in transmission shifting. See Service Information 27A95105 for details. When you refill, or check thetransmission fluid level make sure that you check the level with the special tool and at the correct temperature. The latest information from Germany is that we should fill the oil to the MAX line. Not overfilled, just maxed out. This is said to improve shift quality. At normal level it is possible for the oil to form air bubbles. The increased level helps to minimize this. You might want to remember to try this on customer complaints involving shift quality before you replace any component. Along with setting the adaptation you would be surprised to see how much of an improvement you will see.

The Automatic Transmission fluid is said to be filled for life. We never specified who's life. (Yes, they actually wrote that in this!-DG) The transmission control module contains a program that keeps a running count of the "calculated" cndition of the ATF oil. (Note from Gilly-I believe this was deleted from the modules right around 2001-2002, not there anymore-DG) The factors that affect the oil are time and temperature. The counter is incremented with engine running time and incremented greater with higher ATF temperatures. The Hand-Held Tester (now SDS-DG) displays a numerical value that represents the value of the calculation. At some given point in time Germany will tell us (still waiting, evidently-DG) which number means its time to change the oil. For now there is no service interval for the ATF oil. If you replace a transmission you should re-set the counter back to zero to account for the new oil. If you are doing internal work and you are replacing the oil you should also re-set the counter. It is acceptable to drain the oil out into a clean container and reuse it, provided it was collected using the MB filter funnel. Remember to flush the converter and kines before installing the new transmission. You should also replace the converter if the transmission was HEAVILY contaminated with metal. Make sure you return the converter with the transmission to warranty. Fine metal particles in the bottom of the pan are allowed. (I think what they mean here is that fine metal particles are considered an "acceptable" condition, do NOT replace transmission, as you will see if you read on:-DG)
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  #13  
Old 03-03-2008, 12:18 PM
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At the very least you will wany to check the fluid level. They can leak and because of the belly pan can fail to be noticed immediately.

The dimensions of the dipping portion have been posted previously.

If you can't find it, one of us can measure ours and you can make your own from a 1/8" piece of wire or using a dip stick from a donor vehicle from the junk yard.

Oh yeah, git yourself a dealer or SA that knows what they are doing too. The one you've got is ridiculous.
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  #14  
Old 03-03-2008, 01:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jearnold View Post
Called RBM Mercedes of Atlanta dealer

No codes since the check engine light is not on. Recommends on do nothing until transmission fails, problem may have been a fluke. You should not have to add fluid since the transmission is a sealed unit, they don't even have a labor code to perform fluid and filter change. They also claim this transmission is bullet proof, he has been working their for 12 years and has seen only one fail.

Any thoughts?
They are idiots, talk to someone else or another dealership.

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