Ok, I read through the DIY transmission fluid/filter change and i understand everything except....

Where is the nut located to turn the TC to get the drain plug to the bottom and how do I access it?
I believe I read on here it was the crankcase pulley nut (27 mm) but the only place I could see it possibly being was directly behind the radiator fan/ shroud, and getting to it seems unecessarily complex. Both the DIY and the official instructions don't really say, and I read older threads on this but never see the exact location or how to get to it.

The allen head plug on my transmission pan is stripped (the allen insert, not the screw itself), so I used a topsider to suck out about 3 1/2 quarts of ATF through the dipstick then dropped the pan.... this worked surprisingly well.

So I changed about 2/3 of the fluid and changed the filter, but in a couple thousand miles, if I can figure out how, I'll drain the TC and the pan and change all the fluid. Anyone had any luck getting a stripped plug out? What did you replace it with?

Thanks
John

__________________
1995 E320 119,000 miles

The crankshaft pulley nut is on the nose of the crankshaft, somewhat recessed in the harmonic dampner pulley. It can be reached from the bottom. There not a lot of room in front of pulley and it takes the right combination of socket and extensions to get the proper fit to where you can turn the engine (clockwise from front) until the torque converter drain is visible at the bottom. I use a mirror strategically placed so I can see when the drain plug is at the bottom while turning the engine.

To remove the pan drain plug... next time the pan is off, use a dremel to machine a slot for a screwdriver. Replace the plug with a new one from the dealer or anything else that works.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

If you know what/where the crankshaft pulley is, then you'll find the 27MM bolt head inside the concave portion of the crankshaft pulley.

You'll turn it CW facing from the front of the pulley.

__________________
'91 300-SEL

1991300SEL:

I don't know exactly where it is. I assume it is somewhere on the front of the engine but after I removed the bottom shroud and looked from underneath, i couldn't see any 27mm bolts

John

__________________
1995 E320 119,000 miles

In my cars I have just jacked up the car placed in on two stands...and used a long screwdriver and leveraged it against the TC housing and rotated it clockwise...

Both times I have done this job..I was fortunate...I don't think I had to go more than an 1/8 of an engine rotation before the drain plug on the TC showed up.... about 5 1/2 quarts came out of the TC.. only about two out of the transmission drain pan from what I can remember

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Another way to get the TC drain plug close to the hole is to have a help under the car to watch for the plug while you hit the starter a few times (don't let the car start, just crank once). Then once he/she sees it, you could use the screw driver method to turn the TC. I just used the crank method until it was lined up right, not good for the starter I know, but I didn't know that you could access the crankshaft bolt w/o pulling the radiator at the time.

Watch out with using a screw driver .. I have seen guys dent the converter bell..

I have never had any problem with the housing... you sort of use the slots to help you get leverage.... the engine seems to turn pretty easy....

I have no problem with people using thier starter, I have just never had an assistant, so I tried the screwdriver first, and was suprised how well it worked.... did the same thing with our Expedition, too...only used a crow bar!

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I just changed the tranny fluid on my '95 E320. I removed the round part of the fan shoured to get to the crank shaft nut. Once I had a socket on it, I turned it with my right hand while feeling for the drain plug with my left. It wasn't that difficult to turn so the ackward position was not a problem.

lanierboy:

could you elaborate a little more on what and where the "round part of the fan shoured" is and how to get it off?

Thanks
John

__________________
1995 E320 119,000 miles