Just purchased a 1998 e300 TD and ordered all the necessary stuff for a trans fluid change. I took it to a shop that had the special dipstick tool and it is brown. He claims that's normal for synthetic fluid and should leave it alone. The car has 178000 miles and I am going to change it anyway. The tranny shifts very smooth now I can't believe that this would cause any harm.

Please give me your opinions.

Also is there a pre fuel filter for this car? Fast lane lists one but I can't seem to find it.
While I'm at it fast lane also lists a power steering filter that looks just like my old 300sel. Does the e300 use a filter? the resevoir doesn't look like it takes a round filter.

One last question what type of differential lube do I need? I think it should be syntetic please recomend a brand.

Thanks in avance for any responses, this is a great forum.

Acerejo

Yes, there is a fuel prefilter for your car. You also must order the o-ring that is required separately from the prefilter. Very easy to change, it is located just to the left on the main fuel filter. Good luck.

__________________
99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

I don't know what kind of synthetic ATF is brown (should be bright red and clear)..... that's usually not good and means it's burned and should be changed ASAP.

__________________
1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

acerejo,

I think I have already mentioned this, but I had my auto trans fluid changed at 60,000 miles. The dealer gave me a little resistance, suggesting it was filled for life at the factory, but ended up doing the job for about $200, including the fluid, which is apparently very expensive.

I have no idea what color the stuff was after 60,000 miles, or what color the new stuff is as I never got a chance to see either.

The only time my transmission shifts a little less than perfectly is when the temperatures are very low, say in the teens or lower. Changing the fluid has had a noticable effect, although very slight. The transmission used to just not shift when it was very cold for a quarter mile or so, now it shifts when it should although a little rough. This is only in extremely cold weather though, just after starting.

I have changed the power steering fluid too, and there is no filter for this unit, per the dealer.

The pre fuel filter is located in the housing for the main filter, on the inboard side. If you do a search I think someone posted a photo of the unit about a year ago. Apparently you need the O-ring as the installation or removal sequence damages the old one.

I will be changing my differential fluid soon, and will research using Redline products as I use them in my other cars. Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I will be renewing all the fluids this weekend as the parts arrive from fastlane.

Thanks again

Acerejo

Here's a shot of the fuel filter setup. The prefilter is just to the left of the primary fuel filter and combined filter housing, with the brown hose going into it.. It's held down by just the one bolt. Once you remove the bolt, pull UP not back on it, and the assembly will pop out. THe filter is 150 micron mesh screening. Hope this helps.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
2004 Ram 2500 Cummins HO
2000 Jetta TDI
1999 E300 (sold)

Thanks for the nice image, that's where I thought is was but was not sure.
I'm going to wait untill the weather gets a little warmer before pulling that up. I'm afraid of damaging the clear plastic line with our cold Connecticut winter.
Thanks again

Acerejo

lets not be confused, the prefilter is connected to the brown colored line, on the far left.....you wouldn't be messing with the clear line connected the primary filter whatsoever. Also, these lines are very stiff and firm from the factory, you might think they were due to cold. Go ahead and change it out, its extremely simple, and you won't break anything

Edit: also, don't pull on the line, and you dont need to worry, grasp it where the line goes over the little plastic housing of the prefilter, and pull up on the housing.

__________________
2004 Ram 2500 Cummins HO
2000 Jetta TDI
1999 E300 (sold)

Thanks again. I also would like to know if it is possible to turn the flywheel with a screwdiver. I've done it on my 300sel to find the converter plug.
I will be doing this by my self and would be easier than turning the harmonic balancer.
While I'm picking your brain, have you been able to find any repair literature or manuals for the e300TD?

Thanks
Acerejo

Might want to ask those questions in the tech forum, I really couldn't comment on those.....

As for the service manual, I've been looking too, but I dont think they make them easily available to the retail public. The MB parts guy at my local dealer tried to act like there wasn't one...

__________________
2004 Ram 2500 Cummins HO
2000 Jetta TDI
1999 E300 (sold)

acerejo,

I read a couple of posts in the Tech Forum on the subject of changing fluid in these new "sealed for life" transmissions and came away convinced by some of the techs there that changing fluid was not a job for the do-it-yourselfer. Apparently filling with the proper volume is critical, as is using the correct fluid, and the procedure for filling involves a special tool and checking at a pretty narrow temperature range. Anyway, the consensus on the Tech Forum was to have someone with training on how to do the job correctly perform the task. The fluid was also something I could not find on the open market. So I had the job done by the dealer.

In any case, good luck. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Jim,
Thanks again for the additional info on the atf. I have been doing my own repairs for the last 30 years and plan to keep doing it. The only reason that I'm asking so many questions about this car is because I just purchased. As you know there is no repair manuals available so the best thing is to ask on this great forum.

As far as the tranny fluid it no big deal, fast lane has the synthetic atf, filter, gasket, and the special dipstick tool. I've ordered all of these parts and will be doing this soon. The level is checked at 40C and 80C which is the normal operating temp of the car between cold and normal. Another way is measure the amount drained should be about 7.5 liters.
Jim I'm am so paranoid about he dark trans fluid that I have stopped driving the car until I change it.

I'm practically your neighbor I live in Marlborough CT. and our local dealer want $468.00 to do the job. I have also had work done to previous cars by the New London dealer which is about the same.

It's bad enough that I have to be at their mercy occasionally, but if I can do it myself I will.

I own a 300sel also and have previously owned a 300D and a 420 sel. So far I like this e300 but like you say, if it only had a standard it would be a perfect car.
I travel back and forth to Portugal often and there they have all the standards, they are a joy to drive.

Thanks again Jim

Acerejo