Transmission Fluid Capacity (w/o draining TQ) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 03-23-2011, 03:11 PM

Hey guys,

Today or tomorrow I'm going to install some of the springs from the Superior Shift Kit for my 300SD (722.303), I was just planning on draining the pan/trans and leaving the torque converter alone. Theres no need to do a complete drain as the car blew its B2 piston about a year or two ago and we've only put less than 5k miles on this fluid.

Whats the capacity of just the trans alone?

I saw PDFs of capacities but they didnt mention trans vs torque converter..unless I misinterpreted them.

Thanks!

tbomachines · #2 03-23-2011, 03:14 PM

IIRC its about 3-4 quarts, which is about the same as the TC. funnel it into a milk jug or something so you can eyeball how much to put in, then slowly add it until its up to its proper level.

Stretch · #3 03-23-2011, 03:30 PM

For my 722.1 I think the torque converter holds about twice the volume of the gearbox - based on this I guess the contents of my gearbox is just a bit more than 1.5 litres

Yak · #4 03-23-2011, 08:17 PM

MB's tech sheet includes the torque converter in the oil change procedure and it says between 4.8 and 6.2 depending on the tranny type.

Why not measure what you remove, put back in about 80% of that, then check the level? Got an empty oil jug or milk jug?

Changing the filter too, got a new gasket?

JamesDean · #5 03-24-2011, 05:41 AM

I just changed my green SDs stuff today. New filter/gasket and installed a magnet. I drained TQ as well. I put 7 QTS in. Was unable to drive the car or anything like that (no back glass, driveway full) So after the glass is reinstalled I'll check again

Based on that chart, theres "initial fill" and "change"

hm. if change = tq+trans. initial fill must be tq+trans+cooler??

Stretch · #6 03-24-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

...
Based on that chart, theres "initial fill" and "change"

hm. if change = tq+trans. initial fill must be tq+trans+cooler??

Don't forget the black hole in there that makes it almost impossible to get the fluid level right!

JamesDean · #7 03-24-2011, 05:47 AM

I hate transmission dipsticks. I can never read them accurately either. I'm always certain they catch extra fluid from the walls of the tube too. Ugh.

Stretch · #8 03-24-2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I hate transmission dipsticks. I can never read them accurately either. I'm always certain they catch extra fluid from the walls of the tube too. Ugh.

Yeah and then there's the whole is it warm enough / have I let it settle for long enough...

...there has to be a better way. I'll see if I can encourage funola to come up with a smart idea...

funola are you there?

JamesDean · #9 03-24-2011, 05:57 AM

I vote for some type of micro float like device thing in the pan. actually could replace the dipstick tube with it..hook it up to some gauge or something.

Stretch · #10 03-24-2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I vote for some type of micro float like device thing in the pan. actually could replace the dipstick tube with it..hook it up to some gauge or something.

Fancy idea.

How about a more conventional heating oil tank see through sight glass? Do you know the ones I mean? You push a button and the oil flows into the sight glass and you read the level off of a scale...

Stretch · #11 03-24-2011, 07:08 AM

Make a T piece on the lowest oil cooler line close to where it joins the gear box and then run a piece of see through hose up the side of the engine bay bulkhead and cap the top off with a little filter that will allow air in and out but stop any dirt from getting in... you could even use a large diameter hose for this to make it easier to see the fluid level.

It would "just" then be a case of calibrating the level in the tube - it wouldn't necessarily have to be in litres - it could be simply "at this point it works"!

10fords · #12 03-24-2011, 11:45 PM

What I would like is a cold reading level. Check it before you drive seems like a better idea to me. When I finally got my level correct while hot idling in park I checked it cold the next morning and noted the position on the dipstick and use that for reference now. Is this a bad thing?

Stretch · #13 03-25-2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

What I would like is a cold reading level. Check it before you drive seems like a better idea to me. When I finally got my level correct while hot idling in park I checked it cold the next morning and noted the position on the dipstick and use that for reference now. Is this a bad thing?

Probably not if the oil has had enough time to settle - I can't think of a reason why that would be a bad thing. Except of course if you end up with a bad reading on your dip stick. I have tried to do the same with my car but the way in which my dip stick is twisted I am sometimes unsure about where exactly the oil level actually is... hence the discussion about a more reliable way of reading the level...

bobodaclown · #14 03-25-2011, 08:53 AM

Not to be a smart arse but the my manual states at shop temperatures the transmission fluid will be below the low line and gives an amount. It should get you into the ball park at least.