I'm working on a 1999 E320. It has the so called filled for life transmission. It is at 100k miles and getting it's first trans fluid change. I captured the fluid intpo a clean container (sometimes you should put the old fluid back in believe it or not). the fluid is dark grey almost black, not a trace of red.

Dropped the pan and found 15 pieces of steel (3mmx1.5mmx1mm). Other than that no traces of copper material, no sludge either. Trans has been shifting fine.

Are these chunks of metal cause for alarm? I'll replace the filter and fluid (will see if convertor can be drained as well). Some mechanics will put the old fluid back in if they think the new fluid will take down the trans while at his shop with a warning to customer that trans will soon fail.

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1972 450SL
1982 300D Turbo

I would be concerned if I saw any 'chunks' with considerable mass.

i don't think you can really worry about the chunks...what's done is done..

i'd put a clean fresh fill of mobil 1 in.

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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


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Can you post some pictures

Hmm, dark fluid and metal shards in the trans pan . . . you'll probably need a trans rebuild or get a rebuilt trans to replace it.

No, I am not putting in Mobil1. You must know that only MB trans fluid goes in these things.

these fill for life trans often get discolored after 60-100k miles. somne may even say that is normal. Just want to know based on real life experience what you've experienced when changing fluids on these trans. Does the new fluid with fresh viscocity coeff and detergent capabilities take these trans' down given the info i provided? Trans fluid has never been changed and it's been 100k.

BTW, I suspect the 3x1.5x1mm shards of steel are pieces of bearing races or cages.

__________________
1972 450SL
1982 300D Turbo