W211 Trans not shifting after fluid Change.

[timc]

Just did a drain and refill on my 2005 E320. Used Shell ATF 134. Drained out three quarts and put three quarts back in. Now trans hard to get into first gear, then hangs in 2/3rd not shifting, as if in limp home mode. Drove fine up until I changed the fluid.

[Air&Road]

From the description it sounds as if you knocked the hose off the modulator valve. Make sure it is getting engine vacuum.

Also, you will be doing a MUCH better job of transmission service if you will drain the torque converter as well as the pan. It only takes just a little longer to do this.

Hope this helps.

[Can't Know]

Originally Posted by Air&Road

From the description it sounds as if you knocked the hose off the modulator valve. Make sure it is getting engine vacuum.

Also, you will be doing a MUCH better job of transmission service if you will drain the torque converter as well as the pan. It only takes just a little longer to do this.

Hope this helps.

No vacuum modulator or TC drain plug on his transmission.

***********

Timc, did you check and set the fluid level after you did the work? Did you drop the pan and clean it out and replace the filter? More details are always helpful. If all you did was pull the plug and then add some back, I'd drop the pan, clean it, replace the filter, fit a new gasket, add a bit less than the fluid you drained, then start it, set the 25C level with the dipstick tool, then run it until the fluid is 80C and set the level. Most seem to target the middle of the 80C range for the final level.

Good luck.

[MAVA]

I believe Shell 134 is approved for 722.6 transmissions only, Not the 722.9.

Martin

[Can't Know]

Originally Posted by MAVA

I believe Shell 134 is approved for 722.6 transmissions only, Not the 722.9.

Martin

The 7-speed doesn't have a refill tube, either, so I'm thinking he has the .6xx 5-speed.

[jcyuhn]

2005 is the 722.6. It's not obvious what might be going on here, although 3 liters sounds a bit short. About 4 liters is more typical, though I would not expect being 1 liter short to cause such significant symptoms.

[Can't Know]

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

2005 is the 722.6. It's not obvious what might be going on here, although 3 liters sounds a bit short. About 4 liters is more typical, though I would not expect being 1 liter short to cause such significant symptoms.

A typical drain-off is around 3.5. But the 5-speed is indeed very sensitive to fluid levels.

And the whole point is that it is most definitely NOT a guessing game; it's not three or four or what may be typical. That's why there is a dipstick tool. And that's why the dipstick has some specific range markings on it. And it's why the final level is set based upon fluid at a specified temperature.

Still, if the pan wasn't dropped and cleaned and a new filter fitted, that shortcut should be corrected. Some folks have also reported problems when blending 236.14 fluid with 236.10 fluid, assuming the latter is what was still in Timc's transmission.

As I said initially, there are simply too many possible variables given the very limited details supplied by the OP. Conjecture about all of that isn't really going to get us (or him) any further (or farther with smooth shifting, either).

[timc]

Ok guys I am very embarrassed to admit, but this was just a stupid mistake on my part. I just assumed that the tube that sticks up in the rear was for filling the Trans, and not so you could check the engine oil. I should of read the manual before starting this. But for the first time in my life, in over 30years of playing with cars, yes I drained 3qts out of the trans and put 3 qts of new trans fluid in the engine. Drove the car a total of about 5-10 miles. I had the car towed to a friends MB shop. Changed the engine oil, added 3qts of trans fluid via the correct fill tube, and car runs fine. Hard to say if any damage was done to the trans that may or may not shorten it's life. But the engine is very clean.
Again, drove maybe a total of 10miles max.

Thank you for all the replies, you can now add this to your joke list!! I'm laughing as well......at least now I am.

Edit: Exactly 3 1/4 qts came out when I drained, so that's what we put back in. Friend then checked the levels.

Tim

[Air&Road]

Whoops, I didn't catch the year model. I'm an old man so it's hard for me to fathom that electronic controlled transmissions have been out there well over ten years now.