Automatic gearbox fill
 

Hello Friends,
I am coming to the end of a full renovation of my 1981 W123 230TE auto estate. My gearbox/torque convertor have been drained and a new filter/oil pan seal fitted, my problem is, that according to the Mercedes Assistance Center the quantity of oil for my gearbox is 6.1Ltrs after a rebuild or 4.8Ltrs for drain/refill.I have filled the gearbox to the cold setting in my manual which states 30mm below the low mark on the dip stick, but the amount of oil which has gone in is only 1.1Ltrs. It was suggested to run the engine and place the shift selector in each drive possition and top up as nessesary, but I am afraid with so little oil in damage may be done.If it is nessesary to rotate the gearbox to circulate the oil can this be achieved by turning the gearbox by rotating the engine by hand, so as not to put the gearbox under strain.All suggestions welcome,thankyou for listening.

David

How much fluid came out?
I think you can safely put that much back in... but probably want to start with 60% of capacity and then run the engine (shift through gears) - check - add...

Automatic gearbox refill
 

As it was 2yrs since I drained the gearbox, I can't remember, but definatly more than 1.1Ltrs.

David

Well if you drained it and the torque converter as well (you do remember that part right) go ahead and dump another 2.9 Liters in there and start to measure.
Next time don't measure until you have a propper amount in there and you'll save yourself the stress. ;)
Also I think cold measurement means engine running - tranny (gear box) not warmed up.
Someone please correct me if this is not correct.

Did you pull the torque converter and pan plugs to see if more fluid drains out?

Remove the leads from the coil and crank in half minute bursts resting a couple of minutes between bursts. See if the fluid level drops below 30mm below the mark after a few tries.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Starting the engine to circulate auto trans fluid is pretty common practice. I would put in the amount specified for drain & refill and then start the engine. turning it by hand isn't going to do much for you.

Automatic gearbox refill
 

Thankyou, A264172 & Sixto for your help, since posting the thread I have managed to get a total of 3.85Ltrs in by letting it back up the dip stick.Which is just what I feel like at the moment, in hind sight more thought less action, but never having done it before you start to doubt your self.

With thanks David