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  #1  
Old 05-27-2013, 09:40 AM
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Once and for all??

I have a 1990 350SDL with 180,000 miles. I have owned it for 15 yrs. It had factory rods bearings and head gasket @ 75,000 miles. It has been meticulously maintained by a Indie that worked exclusively on Mercedes. He recently passed away and the shop closed after 50 yrs of service. I have never worked on my Mercedes and really don't want to begin. I have searched unsuccessfully to replace him within 100 miles. I currently am due (30,000 miles) for transmission service. The fluid looks new and transmission functions as new. He used Mercedes ATF and Coolant in his shop.

It is not a primary vehicle and I put 100 highway miles on it every 2 weeks. It is garaged. Given my circumstances I would like to have this service performed "once and for all".

I called my cousin. He is a GMI grad and has been top metalurgist at Allison transmission for 30 yrs. He told me to drain and change the filter and fill it with Mobil Delvac Syn ATF and forget about it. This is a fluid developed by Allison for heavy transmission M1 tank etc. His opinion is with 4000 highway miles /yr the transmission will safely service another 100,000 miles with no additional service. I'm 62 and it will probably exceed my lifetime.

Disclaimer. I have read every ATF thread on this site. Please no flame throwers just wise council

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1990 350 SDL
Currently: 180,000 miles
Factory rebuilt bottom end rods, bearings and head gasket @ 75,000 in 1997
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  #2  
Old 05-27-2013, 11:04 AM
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While I'm sure the fluid your cousin recommended is good fluid....

Your car has been running the 'official' M.B. Fluids for 180K and --how many years?-- use.....

I would stick to what the car is 'used' to and use the original M.B. fluids and filters--You'll never have any nagging doubts then....
--Your trouble seems to be getting someone reliable and conversant with the M.B to perform the service-work....

Bound to be either a knowledgeable member or a Good M.B. place somewhere near you....
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  #3  
Old 05-27-2013, 01:31 PM
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[QUOTE=Alastair;3152099]While I'm sure the fluid your cousin recommended is good fluid....

Your car has been running the 'official' M.B. Fluids for 180K and --how many years?-- use.....

I would stick to what the car is 'used' to and use the original M.B. fluids and filters--You'll never have any nagging doubts then....
--Your trouble seems to be getting someone reliable and conversant with the M.B to perform the service-work....

Bound to be either a knowledgeable member or a Good M.B. place somewhere near you....

Thanks, The local Mercedes dealer seems to lack interest in servicing these older Mercedes. Most 126 and prior service is Indy. None seem too eager to work on Diesels. I suppose I could drive a 100 miles on appt and get the work done. I was fortunate to have Mr Potts. Kinda like ole time family Doctor.
You could be assured they would do the right thing
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1990 350 SDL
Currently: 180,000 miles
Factory rebuilt bottom end rods, bearings and head gasket @ 75,000 in 1997
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  #4  
Old 05-27-2013, 01:48 PM
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Your cousin's advice seems reasonable enough. One drawback is that, if it starts leaking, the fluid is pricey.

It's still hard to believe you can't find a good indie within striking distance. Have you checked the Good MB Shops section of the forum?
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  #5  
Old 05-27-2013, 05:23 PM
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INDIE......

Sounds like a great car that you've taken well care of.

In regards a new indie? How far is Soperton, GA. from Augusta? 'Cause there's an indie on-forum here name of ENGATWORK (Jim) that does indie work on MBs.


Quote:
Originally Posted by GJEMD View Post
I have a 1990 350SDL with 180,000 miles. I have owned it for 15 yrs. It had factory rods bearings and head gasket @ 75,000 miles. It has been meticulously maintained by a Indie that worked exclusively on Mercedes. He recently passed away and the shop closed after 50 yrs of service. I have never worked on my Mercedes and really don't want to begin. I have searched unsuccessfully to replace him within 100 miles. I currently am due (30,000 miles) for transmission service. The fluid looks new and transmission functions as new. He used Mercedes ATF and Coolant in his shop.

It is not a primary vehicle and I put 100 highway miles on it every 2 weeks. It is garaged. Given my circumstances I would like to have this service performed "once and for all".
I called my cousin. He is a GMI grad and has been top metalurgist at Allison transmission for 30 yrs. He told me to drain and change the filter and fill it with Mobil Delvac Syn ATF and forget about it. This is a fluid developed by Allison for heavy transmission M1 tank etc. His opinion is with 4000 highway miles /yr the transmission will safely service another 100,000 miles with no additional service. I'm 62 and it will probably exceed my lifetime.

Disclaimer. I have read every ATF thread on this site. Please no flame throwers just wise council
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  #6  
Old 05-27-2013, 07:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe View Post
Sounds like a great car that you've taken well care of.

In regards a new indie? How far is Soperton, GA. from Augusta? 'Cause there's an indie on-forum here name of ENGATWORK (Jim) that does indie work on MBs.
Actually the Benz stays in Macon. Soperton. Ga 72 miles
straight shot on I-16. I'll check him out. Thanks
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1990 350 SDL
Currently: 180,000 miles
Factory rebuilt bottom end rods, bearings and head gasket @ 75,000 in 1997
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  #7  
Old 05-28-2013, 10:12 AM
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You definitely want to have Dex/Merc 3 in the transmission since that is what it was designed for. I'm not sure of the difference between Mercedes Dex/Merc 3 and an off the shelf name brand but there is a minimum specification for the stuff. Since it sounds like your car is well cared for and not driven much, I would suggest that you use the Mercedes ATF that it is used to.

Fluid, filter and pan gasket is not a hard job and most people on this forum can do it without issue. If I lived closer to you, I would offer my help. Hopefully Jim can help you out. Since the tranny is going to be drained, it would not be a bad idea to have the cooler hoses inspected and any other seals like the dipstick tube seal and possibly the seal on the bowden cable.
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  #8  
Old 05-28-2013, 01:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GJEMD View Post
Actually the Benz stays in Macon. Soperton. Ga 72 miles
straight shot on I-16. I'll check him out. Thanks
Macon is even closer to Jim's shop. I think I recall reading that he's just 3-4 miles off the Interstate.
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  #9  
Old 05-28-2013, 02:21 PM
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There is no such thing as a 100,000 mile fluid except in a sanitary laboratory environment.
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership
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  #10  
Old 05-28-2013, 02:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doktor Bert View Post
There is no such thing as a 100,000 mile fluid except in a sanitary laboratory environment.
Tell that to every differential I've ever serviced! :p

[rant]
On a serious note, I have had 0 issues using [Wolf's head] synthetic ATF in my truck's manual transmission(200k), and my Jeep's transfer case(100k). Both had cheapo ATF in them before I changed them.

Same goes for the 3 diffs between them-[Mobil1] 75-140, full synthetic. No issues. Running partial synthetic [CAM2 brand] motor oil in the 200k truck, it loved it.

My 617 enjoyed 0-40 synthetic diesel oil [Rotella? Forgot brand] when I ran it in the winter.

I have yet to get trouble from switching to synthetic fluids, and all my vehicles have been bought second hand with no service records.
[/rant]
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  #11  
Old 05-28-2013, 03:02 PM
Doktor Bert's Avatar
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Let me put it a different way....

I would never run any fluid 100,000 in any vehicle I cared about.
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership
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  #12  
Old 05-28-2013, 03:51 PM
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Thanks to all for the heart felt adivce. I made contact with Jim and
will turn The Darling Mercedes to his care.
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1990 350 SDL
Currently: 180,000 miles
Factory rebuilt bottom end rods, bearings and head gasket @ 75,000 in 1997
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  #13  
Old 05-28-2013, 03:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doktor Bert View Post
Let me put it a different way....

I would never run any fluid 100,000 in any vehicle I cared about.
I agree. What I meant was, every time I work on a car owned by average people they never seem to change the diff fluid. It always comes out a shade of somewhere between tar and coffee. 25k changes on my fleet for the trans/diffs.
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  #14  
Old 05-28-2013, 04:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simpler=Better View Post
I agree. What I meant was, every time I work on a car owned by average people they never seem to change the diff fluid. It always comes out a shade of somewhere between tar and coffee. 25k changes on my fleet for the trans/diffs.
Agreed. I change them all at some point, although I never seem to get my services done on time.

My newest obsession is changing brake fluid...
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership
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  #15  
Old 06-02-2013, 06:49 AM
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It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday GJEMD. That is one of the nicest examples of a 350SDL I've seen. Looking forward to helping you with your service needs.

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