Mercedes C220 Need Help changing Trans Fluid...PLEASE HELP!

[trueog]

Hi Everyone, firstly, this forum is AMAZING!

I have a 94 Mercedes C220 and I needed to change the trans Fluid. I've been looking everywhere and I can't find any sort of directions on how to do this. Could someone please let me know which parts I have to buy if any, what type of fluid to use for my car, and directions on how to do it. Please if someone could give me an indepth description of changing my tranny fluid, I would be very thankful.

Secondly, I have an odd problem with my car. When I put my car into reverse, my car rolls for about 6-8 inches, and suddenly stops rolling. It seems as if the E-brake has been applied, and I have to put my foot on the accelorator to force it to reverse. However when i'm driving forward my car works perfectly fine. A couple times however, while I've been on the freeway, my car has shook at high speeds and my ABS light has flickered on and off. I can't seem to figure out what's wrong with my car. I've taken it to two mechanics, one told me he thinks its the tranny, the other one laughed at it being the tranny and beleives its the ABS system. Please help, i don't know what's wrong.

Thanks

[Ethan]

when you do the trans oil change I would save some of the oid fluid you remove and send it in for an oil analysis. This way certain wear metals found could point you in the direction of any problems inside the trans.

For my 1998 C230 the owners manual states to have foot on brake when changing from reverse to forward and pause a few second for engagement.

seems like you need diagnostic troubleshooting with the appropriate equipment for the trans and ABS.

also HAYNES offers a manual for your car, U.K. version but helpful.

there should be some old posts about yrans fluid change, have you tried the search feature?

[trueog]

Someone please help meeeeee....

Thanks Ethan for your reply :-)

[ozzy]

Parts you will need are;
Pan seal, filter, drain plug sealing washers x2 and around 7 litres of fluid.

1) Run car up to normal operating temp, turn off eng and remove key.
2) Remove 5mm allen head drain plug from trans sump.
3) Remove plastic inspection cover from lower bell housing, then rotate eng by hand until you have access to torque convertor drain plug and remove plug.
4) Remove 13mm sump bolts and remove sump, remove sump seal, clean sump with carby cleaner or similar and wipe dry with lint free rag, fit new seal to sump.
5) Remove and replace filter.
6) Clean trans around sump mating surface with lint free rag and refit sump.
7) Replace sealing washers on drain plugs and refit, torque to 22nm.
8) Fill trans with 4 litres of fluid, start car and run through reverse and drive a few times, back into park and turn off, slowly add 2 more litres of fluid, now you will need to run back up to operating temp and then recheck and top up as necessary, check level with engine running and trans in park, being careful not to over fill. (take your time and add in small increments)

Tip;
If you measure the amount of fluid drained, you will know how much to put back in. (use an old eng oil container with clear measurement marker on side)

[trueog]

Hey thanks for the directions to change tranny fluid. After reading your instructions, all I can say is wow, that is a really good step by step description. Also after reading your instructions, I'm kind of worried, can I really do this on my own?....it seems more complex then easy. Lastly I was wondering if you would recomend the fluid being changed by a dealer, or I should just go for it? thanks

[ozzy]

I'm kind of worried, can I really do this on my own?....it seems more complex then easy. Lastly I was wondering if you would recomend the fluid being changed by a dealer, or I should just go for it? thanks

Really depends on your D.I.Y level. If you can confidently change your eng oil, then you should be ok. It's not really complex at all, just follow my steps and take your time.

Things that will assist you;

# You will need to raise car using ramps or jack and stands, or use a hoist or pit if you have access to them.

# TOOLS you will need;
1) 5mm allen key 3/8" socket, for removing sump and convertor drain plugs.
2) 13mm 3/8" drive socket, 3/8 extension bar and 3/8 ratchet, for removing sump.
3) #2 phillips drive screwdriver, for removing filter.
4) 27mm 1/2" drive socket and bar, for turning the eng (clockwise) via the front crankshaft pully retaining bolt. (you will need to remove lower eng covers, held by 8mm hex head screws).
5) Large container to catch oil. (something that can hold about 10 litres).
6) Funnel for refilling trans.

# Make sure you use fluid that is mercedes approved, I use and recommend Dexron 111.
# Try to avoid over filling, If you do over fill you will need to drain via plug on sump. (If you take your time and add fluid in small increments this will be avoided).
# Be careful when removing drain plugs, as fluid will be hot, just as you should when changing eng oil, wear riggers gloves, long sleeved shirt and clear saftey glasses.

It may seem a bit daunting, but it's very straight forward and you can't really mess anything up, even if you have to buy a few tools. It will be far cheaper than paying a dealer and you will have great satisfaction knowing you did it yourself.

[enochbell]

Thanks for the post on changing the transmission fluid, one note however: Don't try to drain the fluid from the sump on a '96 c220 by opening the pan allen bolt, it is permanently fixed. Don't know why, as this requires unbolting the pan to drain, but mine was obviously not meant to be removed (it is sealed with heavy black coating and basically fused to the pan). No problem, just made it a little messy.

[glenmore]

Originally Posted by trueog

Hey thanks for the directions to change tranny fluid. After reading your instructions, all I can say is wow, that is a really good step by step description. Also after reading your instructions, I'm kind of worried, can I really do this on my own?....it seems more complex then easy. Lastly I was wondering if you would recomend the fluid being changed by a dealer, or I should just go for it? thanks

You can do it, but you do need all the necessary tools to make it go smoothly. If you plan on doing fluid changes, brakes and some of the easier DIY projects for this car and maybe others, it will be worth it to start acquiring all the tools and equipment. You can save a lot of money by doing it yourself. But if you are only going to do this, say every 2 years for this car, you might just avoid the hassle and the cost to get geared up and just take it to the dealer.

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400
2000 C280

[ACM]

Originally Posted by enochbell

Thanks for the post on changing the transmission fluid, one note however: Don't try to drain the fluid from the sump on a '96 c220 by opening the pan allen bolt, it is permanently fixed. Don't know why, as this requires unbolting the pan to drain, but mine was obviously not meant to be removed (it is sealed with heavy black coating and basically fused to the pan). No problem, just made it a little messy.

I had exaclty the same proble with my W124 (330E). The black coat of paint was not allowing the pan drain bolt to loosen. I tried until I stripped it
Then I went to auto zone and bought a large fluid bowl (large enough for the whole tranny pan to fit in) and unbolt one side of the pan and let it drain for few minutes. I was holding the pan with the other hand so as not to put a lot of pressure on the remaining bolts. Finally I took the rest of the bolts out and the pan was freed. Steadily lower ther whole pan (still had about 1 to 1.5 liters of fluid in there).
I did not replace the stripped bolt sice I figure I will be doing it the same way in the next fluid change.
Good luck

[trueog]

Originally Posted by glenmore

You can do it, but you do need all the necessary tools to make it go smoothly. If you plan on doing fluid changes, brakes and some of the easier DIY projects for this car and maybe others, it will be worth it to start acquiring all the tools and equipment. You can save a lot of money by doing it yourself. But if you are only going to do this, say every 2 years for this car, you might just avoid the hassle and the cost to get geared up and just take it to the dealer.

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400
2000 C280

Yeah I went the dealer to do it. Cost me $240 bucks. Private shops qouted me 200 bucks also....so went with dealer.