Hey Gilly,

My service advisor told me all fluids, including tranny and diff were checked and or topped up during a recent B service. I did not see drive train fluids as a covered/performed service.

Is what I was told normally performed as part of the ML's b-service?
Do you see any technical difficulties with having the oil changed in the transmission and differential using OEM spec oil as DIY or by an inde?

Thx, Ed

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

I can pretty much guarantee that the trans fluid level wasn't checked.

I guess the only real problem in DIY on the trans oil change would be making sure the level is correct. This trans is super-critical on the level. There is a special tool dipstick required (there is no dipstick in the tube, the tube simply has a cap on top, no stick underneath the cap), and also the trans fluid temp is monitored while checking the level (the stick is graduated according to temp, but MB insists that the level is checked at 80C).
The fluid temp sensor is built into the trans, and the reading is done using the MB shop computer. I would trust the indy IF you know they have a scanner capable of monitoring this temp sensor, I'm sure some do, but lots won't. I wouldn't recommend DIY on it, just not worth the risk. SOME here I believe say they have done it, still not my recommendation.

On the diff oil, knock yourself out.......

Gilly

Well crap, that sucks! The wife is thinking that ours feels a little 'low' but the closest dealer is 60 miles away from here. I take it I need to make an appointment to have the level checked. How much do you think they should be charging for that service.

Man.. *that* is really an annoying thing. I found that cap when doing the last DIY check/service and thought that I must not have found the right one (although I did trace it into the trans area).

Baffling.. why was this done?

__________________
-----------------------------------------------------

I'm sure it was done because you're supposed to know the fluid temperature to get a valid level measurement! VW also does this, but you can get comprehensive scanner software to use on your laptop for $250; on a Benz you can't even get a shop manual! (Why anyone would get a VW with an automatic is a mystery to me, but I digress.)

What's the mileage on your ML? Ours needed a fluid change at 120K. Fluid wasn't low, just needed changing to get the shifts back to normal. Shifting was sluggish and lots of slippage when it kicked down with the accelerator floored. Shifts fine after fluid replacement. Dipstick, fluid, filter, and gasket are available at The Benz Bin .

If the fluid's not leaking, your level is probably correct. Some DYI'ers have measured the volume of fluid they drained and replaced with exactly the same amount. I think you're better off estimating the temperature and going by the dipstick. If it's 25ºC out and the car sat overnight, the fluid is probably about 25ºC. Estimating 80ºC is trickier, but after a light drive with the water temperature at 80º, the trans fluid is probably near 80º? Not the "right" way, but worked for me—the proof is in the shifts!

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

OK, I'm alright with estimating the fluid temp (I'm sure there is some way to put a meter on the sensor and translate that into a temp... seems plausible anway).

My biggest hangup though is the missing dipstick!

Can I buy one from the MB dealer do you suppose? Too late to call my local one now.. hm.. wonder if Fastlane has it listed..

__________________
-----------------------------------------------------

Yes they do! Click here. Be sure to order a new cap seal thingy for when you're done.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)