W210 1997 E320 Transmission leak
 

While driving home yesterday, I noticed smoke billowing out from underneath my 97 E320 when I stopped for a light......Put it up on my ramps and it appears that a cable that is attached to the transmission (Driver's side rear trans section, just above the oil pan) is leaking.....I cleaned it thoroughly, then ran the car, it appears to not be leaking from where the cable enters the transmission, but from the cable itself (there's a black cap shaped part of the cable that looks as if it were designed to give access to the inside of the cable) that is leaking.............I don't know much about these transmisssions, is it safe to assume that this is the speedometer cable or is it a shift cable?????....and should I simply replace it or open up the (black cap) part and see what or why it is leaking???

Thanx, I know this seems like a silly question but I've found that it is better to ask than to assume on these vehicles!

The speedometer works off of the wheel sensors. Do you have a five-speed transmission?

I believe so, that's what my owner's manual states!

Well, someone familiar with that transmission will have to chime in and perhaps tell you what that is. I don't know if you have a shift cable or rod (as in the four-speed), but I do know that you have a cable to the computer.

The cable loops around and appears to enter the vehicle in the area of the shifter. Still, I have to find out what it is in order to replace it......I looked at Fastlane but there was no reference to it. I wonder if it's a dealer item only?

Thanx, as always Matt!!

After a few hours of reading about the 722.6 trans, it is now apparent to me that this cable is the parking lock cable.....The seal is notorious for leaking and I will change it, my question now is: "Should I change the linkage piece that enters the trans where the seal is located, too?"

Thanks for any replies that may shed light upon this.

Correction!!!!!! Correction!!!!!

This Is An Interlock Boot!!!!!....mine Is Torn!!!!.....thus Causing The Leak!......it Appears To Be The 2nd Most Common Leakage Problem On The 722.6 Trans, Next To The Infamous "electronics Plug Leak"!!!!

Part # Is; 140-270-13-65.....costs About $15.00, You Have To Drop The Trans Pan To Change It So You'll Also Need To Replace The Pan Gasket $13.00, And Replace About 4 Liters Of Mb Fluid $58.00

722.6 leak at parking lock linkage
 

Greetings,
I second the previous thread, I just completed replacement of the parking lock cable linkage on a 722.6 on a 98 ML320. This is our second vehicle with a 722.6, and they both leaked at this linkage. If anyone is even thinking of changing their fluid and filter, thus dropping the pan, do yourself a favor and change the linkage, because if you don't, it WILL leak. Part is $20, and it takes an extra one hour, including flushing your eyes (wear goggles), and disinfecting and band-aiding your forehead (the goggles would have helped).

Changing the park lock cable linkage:
1. Drop pan (instructions elsewhere)
2. Grab beige connector at end of cable, turn counterclockwise about 30 degrees, pull back.
3. remove torx off the black plastic linkage piece that goes into tranny housing.
4. Had to check with Herbert at Eurotrans on this next step, for fear of doing damage; take a sharp blade screwdriver and a hammer, put screwdriver between tranny housing and the tapered end of the pin that's holding the lever that the plastic linkage attaches to, and give it a gentle wack to dislodge the pin.
5. Remove pin enough to free the spring and lever, disconnect linkage and remove from tranny housing. You will note at this point that the reddish bellows has a cut or wrip. That's why this is leaking. A freaking 50 cent rubber bellows.
6. Reassemble with new linkage. Place linkage through housing, then attach to lever, then place pin through lever not forgetting the spring, only then attach linkage to housing with torx screw. Press black button on cable end to retract cable, then attach to linkage by inserting and turning clockwise till it clicks. You are done with cable.
7. service tranny with new filter and fluid.


This repair was scary at first, but even more scary was the 600-700 quoted for the repair. This job was slightly more complicated than oil change, not as bad as a water pump. Go for it! Total cost $20 for linkage, $10 for filter, you can reuse the thick rubber oil pan gasket, about $120 for fluid.

Lad

722.6 leak
 

I mean "you can reuse the thick rubber TRANSMISSION pan gasket"
Lad