“...Dark and Glittery...”
 

So I took my 1994 E420 in to the shop to have weird transmission behavior looked at. The car would hang onto 1st gear all the way up to 3000 rpm, then shift into 2nd and then almost immediately into 3rd. The guys dropped the pan and noticed that the oil was “dark and glittery.” No large or obvious metal shards or particles were found. They tried to sell me a new tranny, but then said that changing the valve body would be a good start to see if that could fix it.

I am thinking that maybe a simple flush and oil change would the better first step. Why not give it a go right? Maybe it’ll do something. Well the shop pretty much refused. They said it was pointless and here is why…..they said that the microscopic “grit” or “glitter” was actually HELPING the transmission function as it was aiding in grabbing the clutches. So if I change the fluid, I’m running a high risk of loosing all functionality because in all likelihood, the clutches are too worn down and have now become dependent on this “abrasive fluid.”

Sounds like quackery no? What say you? Change the oil or not?

Actually, it's common enough for a neglected transmission to fail shortly after fluid change. Not necessarily so, but it does happen. I'd like to know how the shop intended to change the valve body without draining fluid, though.

I'm not completely sure the fluid tells the story. Under the right light, used transmission fluid can look like dilute metallic paint. If the transmission fails after a fluid change, then it was on its last legs anyhow. Go ahead and change the fluid.

Maybe you guys can help me.
 

The dealer drained my transmission and replaced the seals along with replacing the throttle actuator and the Bowden cable. Now I have a shift flair going to 4th gear. They made an adjustment that helped the flair just a bit, but it still shifts differently than before they “fixed” it. I had absolutely no symptoms before the repair, but my engine light was on and the code indicated the throttle actuator. Now I have the flair and I am afraid something needs to be adjusted so that my transmission doesn’t get hurt. I don’t think there is really anything wrong with the transmission, since it wasn’t bad before they “fixed: it, although I suppose they could have ruined something when they emptied the transmission fluid and replaced the seals. What do you guys think of this?

I second Kestas opinion.

I think the dealer isn't done yet. Go back again, tell them it's still not right, have them test drive it.

Sounds like the trans is on its last legs. What was the fluid change history on it?

Changing the fluid can't hurt, you probably won't gain anything though.