What Debris Have You Seen in a Transmission Filter? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 12-24-2010, 01:06 PM

I have always had my indie change my transmission filter. I'm told it always looks pretty clean. For those of you who change it yourselves, what have you seen by way of debris after, say, 30,000 miles?

Part of the reason I ask is that I've gotten in the habit of changing my fluid via a topside extractor with somewhat greater frequency. (I'm not able/willing to change the filter/gasket myself.) Thus I leave the filter in place longer than 30,000 miles. Just curious what's accumulating there, and in what quantity.

Also, whatever is getting trapped by the filter, does it drop into the pan when the fluid isn't circulating? Therefore would I get at least some of it out by extracting?

Thanks.

europower · #2 12-24-2010, 01:15 PM

It all depends, if you have a bad tranny that hasn't been serviced say for a long time then doing a change and following up with another change within a months time isn't a bad idea.That filter isn't superman, and i hear from my indy that the El Ring filter kits do fail often, this is according to him, i have never personally seen one fail.
Just recently i found in my beater 300d a thick slime at the bottom of the pan,no metal pieces but the slime had to be rubbed off and sprayed with brake cleaner, i had never seen this stuff before,maybe clutch pads??
I have also changed trans oil that smelled just like sewage, if the filter stays in too long it can get clogged and in that case will denature the oil and make it look black instead of red.
Change your filter and gasket and have no fear, clean the pan well and align the holes where the bolts go thru on a flat surface and torque to spec.

okyoureabeast · #3 12-24-2010, 01:20 PM

Mine was perfectly clean when I changed the filter and fluid out over thanksgiving. My transmission has 354,000 on it.

shertex · #4 12-24-2010, 01:54 PM

I'm trying to save a bit of money by somewhat more aggressively changing the fluid but letting the filter go a bit longer....I'm assuming my indie would charge an hour labor ($100) to do everything.

vstech · #5 12-24-2010, 02:23 PM

several of the transmissions I've serviced the filter was destroyed. if you wait too long, the pressure will rupture the thin paper element. the best way to service the transmission is to drain the torque converter, drain the pan, drop the pan, drop the filter, change the filter and pan gasket, and blow out the cooler lines.
that's 99% of the fluid and a new filter!
best by far method of changing the fluid.
a topsider will get about 60% of the fluid, and leave the debris and filter in the pan.

okyoureabeast · #6 12-24-2010, 02:26 PM

Is your car a 123?

If so, you should do the change yourself. I literally had it finished in under an hour. Changing my accessory belts has been a lot harder to do with the rusted tension bolt.

I just let it drip clean, degress the pain, install filter, torque down the bolts, and fill.

shertex · #7 12-24-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

several of the transmissions I've serviced the filter was destroyed. if you wait too long, the pressure will rupture the thin paper element. the best way to service the transmission is to drain the torque converter, drain the pan, drop the pan, drop the filter, change the filter and pan gasket, and blow out the cooler lines.
that's 99% of the fluid and a new filter!
best by far method of changing the fluid.
a topsider will get about 60% of the fluid, and leave the debris and filter in the pan.

Actually, the way I've been doing it I do multiple extractions. Each time I get 2.3 quarts (out of 7 quart capacity). If I do this four times, the fluid is 80% new (about the same as it would be if I took it to my indie).

Your method is clearly superior....but for now I'm disinclined to to mess with the pan myself (I have irrational over-torquing fears, etc...

).

vstech · #8 12-24-2010, 02:36 PM

it's REALLY hard to overtorque the MB pan, it's REALLY stout! a small 1/4" ratchet works great for this. new pan gasket, and all's good.

layback40 · #9 12-24-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

several of the transmissions I've serviced the filter was destroyed. if you wait too long, the pressure will rupture the thin paper element. the best way to service the transmission is to drain the torque converter, drain the pan, drop the pan, drop the filter, change the filter and pan gasket, and blow out the cooler lines.
that's 99% of the fluid and a new filter!
best by far method of changing the fluid.
a topsider will get about 60% of the fluid, and leave the debris and filter in the pan.

There was a recall in Australia about 30 years ago of GM trimatic transmissions because of filter degeneration. The bits of paper eventually find their way into the valve body & clutch packs & make a mess.

Taking the pan off is the only way to change the fluid.

Best just do it once, do it well !!!

PastorJoe · #10 12-24-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Actually, the way I've been doing it I do multiple extractions. Each time I get 2.3 quarts (out of 7 quart capacity). If I do this four times, the fluid is 80% new (about the same as it would be if I took it to my indie).

Your method is clearly superior....but for now I'm disinclined to to mess with the pan myself (I have irrational over-torquing fears, etc...

).

Changing ATF fluid in this manner is a bad plan for two reasons: first you are only getting half the fluid out. Several quarts will be left in the torque converter. Secondly the transmission filter should be changed at every fluid change.

Also, be extra careful in keeping the level correct. Too much fluid will blow out seals and too little will cause numerous problems.

edited by John to assist readers

C Sean Watts · #11 12-24-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorJoe

Changing ATF fluid in this manner is a bad plan for two reasons: first you are only getting half the fluid out. Several quarts will be left in the torque converter. Secondly the transmission filter should be changed at every fluid change.

Also, be extra careful in keeping the level correct. Too much fluid will blow out seals and too little will cause numerous problems.

TCs on our cars have drain plugs.

smithjackson1 · #12 12-24-2010, 08:56 PM

hello Everyone

shertex · #13 12-24-2010, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorJoe

Changing ATF fluid in this manner is a bad plan for two reasons: first you are only getting half the fluid out. Several quarts will be left in the torque converter. Secondly the transmission filter should be changed at every fluid change.

Also, be extra careful in keeping the level correct. Too much fluid will blow out seals and too little will cause numerous problems.

As I mentioned, when I do it this way, I do four extract and fills, with the result being 80% new fluid....the same as it would be if you drained the pan and the torque converter.