transmission flusher (BG, hotflusher.com)
 

transmission shop quoted $850 plus possible additional costs if exhaust manifold bolts break during repair. they have a BG transmission flush machine (cost $4,000). they don't have much experience with mercedes but seem to be well versed in automatic transmission technology. I am ordering the transmission from Peter Schmid transmissions in California (for a 1991 merc 560SEL). Indy with very good reputation priced the job at $900 FLAT RATE. HOWEVER, the Indy does not have a transmission flusher (BG, hotflusher.com) he said he flushes the cooler and transmission lines "manually". is that good enough? or is it better to go to the tranny shop that has a BG flusher?

Manual vs Power Flush
 

A simple comparison of the two would be the manual flush would be cycling of trans fluid thru the system via the trans pump from a clean source - not much different than if you did the same yourself in the driveway using a 5 gal bucket as a drain and added fluid until it ran clean.

But the power flush probably works ar a higher PSI, will most likely flush out the torque converter (most trans fluid changes (drain and fill) leave "some" trans fluid in the converter even with the drain plug on most MB trans units. the power machine would most likely get more crap out than the manual method but what PSI is it and can it damage the clutch material? It appears that they want to CYA on damage during removal (man bolts).
Are they getting the trans shipped to thwem or are they a local shop/ What is warranty on damage discovered post flush?
iIhave seen this done on a trans that was crappy but IN SERVICE not a rebuilt unit-think about it...

I'm not a fan of these services but if the trans has been sititng or is a JY unit it may pay to do it but the guys appear to CYS too much.

i would by the trans, install or have it installed, run it for a week or three and see if there is a problem. I would swap the fluid at least once in the first 3 weeks and check for metal frags or clutch material in the fluid before I'd toss $850 into the mix.

I have seen these flush units used as a "premium : add on at some shops as a money generator. when I had the trans in my F150 rebuilt the shop did same a Peter, total tear down and rebuild and manual pump hru cleaning to get any residual material before delivery.

I mean Peter is doing a total rebuil isn't he? Doesn't it fit that he will clean the body and all assorted clutch packs, etc, use a rebult TC that is clean, etc...no reputable shop starts with a dirty shell and rebulds with out a good cleaning...does not make good tech or business sense.

Unless it shows a need for a trans fluid swap or metal/clutch pack material is found I'd take aPasadena...

Tread Carefully (very,very carefully)
 

ASK... MZF Inc.(Peter Schmid)
How your "Power Flush" proposal will affect their Transmission Warranty.

I.E. "If I have them hook up their BG Power Flush machine (With Your ReMan
Transmission in the loop) to flush the lines and cooler how will that affect the
Warranty you offer Me?"

[I can answer that one by Myself] Get Ready For It...What Warranty?

Take the Smart way:Remove the radiator(or not) Flush the cooler portion
(or have it flushed at a radiator shop).Replace the cooler lines.

'Best analogy I've ever heard for a Transmission Power Flush Machine.
"Would you give yourself an enema with a FireTruck pump?"

You don't have to do a power flush. The converter has a drain plug, so rotate the engine until the drain plug is visible and remove it. Drain the pan and replace the filter. Save some money. Stay away from that place.

What's up with $850?

$850 is for ten hours labor to remove and reinstall the transmission from Peter Schmid (www.peterschmid.com) the installer wanted to let me know that if any of the exhaust manifold bolts broke off, he would need to charge additional labor hours......which is understandable. two other merc Indy shops have quoted me $1,000 and $900 respectively to install the tranny from the rebuilder. I took time to view the posts on this forum for Peter Schmid and they come up a winner every time. 24 month unlimited mileage warranty is hard to beat.

My concern is they might consider my core "junk" and charge me the $500 core charge. however, MY REAL concern is that if there is a warranty issue, I have to pay to have the transmission removed, pack it and ship it to California and then have Peter Schmid ship out a new one....all the time the car is out of commission.

my indy priced a rebuilt tranny for $1850 plus $350 for a new torque converter. He has rebuilt over 500 of these transmissions. He says that on older mercs (pre 1992) he NEVER replaces the torque converter. well, I'm just not all that sure that that is a good solution. BUT for the additional $350 for a new torque converter, I can sleep at night. right now he is looking like the best over all solution financially.

going with my indy and having them install a new (reman) torque converter. I am going to ask my indy to flush the lines using the 5 quart bucket method. transmission repair is difficult on older (pre 1992) mercs due to the fact it is difficult to find anyone that a) knows the older merc transmissions and b) willing to do the job correctly. everyone is an "expert" when it comes to taking your $$$$$$. obtaining a tranny from an out of state source is risky to say the least, thus the decision to go with a local rebuilder. I'll keep the forum posted on the results of the repair....i'm still nervous about getting it done though......

Good Luck
 

Tell us how you like your "Re-Man".

My transmission man told me that the transmission flush machines were the best thing that ever happened to his shop. He won't even let a salesman that sells them in his shop. He sees flushed transmissions daily that have valve body problems. He does flush the coolers, but never the transmisssion.
We have a lot of people coming in our shop with "electrical" problems which are not electric, but valve body problems. In a lot of cases when we say has the transmission been serviced lately they may say, "Yes, I had it flushed at ??? last week". We send them directly to my transmission man. I'm not saying it will happen every time but is happens enough times to make it a problem. Drain all the fluid you can, change the filter, refill and drive it. This is what the transmissions were designed to have done.
My $.00 worth.
Paul

Well Put
 

The local "scAAMCO" does this scenario all the time...
"Well we tried the Power Flush but we just couldn't save your Transmission...so its $1295.00 for a rebuilt unit plus you owe us $99.50 for the Power Flush"

Isn't that like Torturing me by Waterboarding and then charging me for the privelige AND the water used?

I developed a transmission slip in a Q45, immediately after a transmission flush..

My indy Mercedes shop told me on two occasions "don't flush" on E430 without drain on tc. So, I had it drained and refilled, drove 100k, and repeated.

Ten hours to R&R a trans when you have access to a lift? :confused: Just, wow. I can pull a motor from a W126 w/ the trans attached in less time... on jack stands.

Unless the one from the Peter Schmid was inexpensive, sounds like you are getting hosed in the end.