I took my 98 E320 in for transmission service today. When I picked the car up, I noticed that the invoice only charged for 4 quarts of fluid (001-989-21-03-10), indicating to me that only about half the fluid was changed. When I asked the service advisor about this, he checked with the service technician and was told that my car does not have a torque converter drain plug. From my following the discussions on this and other MB web sites, it is my impression that a 98 E320 should have a torque converter drain plug, the plug having been discontinued later. Does anyone know how I can confirm whether my transmission has a torque converter drain plug? Also, the cap over the fill tube is missing the little red plastic tab, indicating to me that it was not replaced. Is this OK? Also, it would be nice if the aftermarket would make a dipstick for these transmissions so that the owner could check his fluid occasionally, especially after servicing to ensure that the level is correct. I have had lots of trouble with this at other dealers, both with transmission fluid and engine oil.

Torque converter drain plug was discontinued in September, 1999. You can buy the transmission dipstick and check your fluid if you wish. Someone, maybe on this list, made their own.

Len

The red tab you are missing is the lock tab I believe. To be safe, it should be in place, otherwise the cap may fall off. Wiggle the top around to see how easy it comes off.

the red tab is only a tamper evident measure, the cap will stay on just fine, providing that the o-ring is there, if the transmission is original, the torque converter should have a drain, i have recieved new ones from mercedes that have the drain omitted. as previously stated ther were discontinued in sep '99. if you need the red cap i can give you one, i have many, also i can get the dipstick.

I had the same problem just this weekend. I searched for the drain in the torque converter and there was none so I only got 2.5 liters from draining the pan. This is with a 2000 C280, tranny 722.617.

You can get the red tabs from Fastlane, maybe $1.00. The dip stick is ~$30. Make sure the cap is all the way on, it goes on with a click and takes a tug to pull it off. Don't do like I did and not have the cap all the way down and then stick in the red tab. You'll waste a tab because the cap won't stay on. I had the old broken tab so I could see how to pry it off without breaking it and then I was able to reuse it.

I suppose the dealer has some method of forcing out all the old fluid and refilling?

Now I am stuck with 6 liters of MB tranny fluid.

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400
2000 C280