1997 C230 //

Question:
When using the MB dipstick checking the transmission fluid level - what is the condition of the car ;

engine running // temp at 80 C // gear @ neutral?

Park or neutral. Engine running. & trans either slightly warm OR after 8-10 mile light drive (hot). There are markings on dipstick for either temp.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Also, temp is transmission temp, not engine temp.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

I replaced my fluid and only about 3.5 quarts came out, yet the dipstick showed that I was a little bit over full. From reading the postings on this sites, this may be normal. I put in 1/2 can of Trans-X and 3 quarts of new transmission fluid and it still shows a little bit over full (above the upper line). I assume I should drain some of it out, but since the books say it holds 6.5 quarts, where is the missing fluid?

It is in the torque convertor and the cooler.

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97 S500 Coupe 139Kmi.
92 300CE 150Kmi. Sold
89 F250 Diesel 220Kmi. Dead
98 GMC 1500 160K.

If you want to drain from the converter, you either...

a) get lucky when you stop the engine...

or

b) rotate the engine by hand or use a tool to turn the flywheel to get the converter's drain bolt visable...

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

I hope you don't have the 722.6. The five-speed is very sensitive to fluid level and to the acutal fluid used. You should ONLY use the MB specific fluid and DO NOT put any additives in.

When checking the fluid level on a 722.6, you should have the fluid at 80C for precise measurement.

As to the original poster, WHY are you checking the fluid level? Do you have a leak? Checking the fluid level of the 722.6 is not part of the normal service routine for your car. That's why there is no dipstick.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

I should have written, my car is a 1984 300 SD, so I am well before a 722.6. I have also read this post about additives for this year of car and the opinions are a little mixed, but several recommended it.