Checking/Changing W124 Auto Trans Fluid (E300D)

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• Thread starter landspeed
• Start date Mar 2, 2006

L

landspeed

Member

Joined Mar 1, 2006 Messages 17 Reaction score 0 Hi! I've done a search, but can't seem to find the answer to this question (relating to a car I'm looking to buy in the future): How do I check the W124 E300D (1994 car) Auto transmission fluid level?. In the owner's manual, it seems to state that only Mercedes dealers can do it (?!). Is it possible to change the fluid + filter (if there is one?) as a DIY operation? Thanks for your advice A

andy_k

Senior Member

Joined Dec 30, 2002 Messages 644 Reaction score 0 Age 68 Location Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex Website www.ak3dgfx.com Your Mercedes E55 AMG it shouldn't be a dealer only job on your car, the dipstick should have a red cap on it and be on the left hand side of the engine as you look at it just in front of the firewall/bulkhead. Check the fluid level when the engine is hot (at least 15-20 minutes running time). The filter is inside the gearbox - drain the fluid, drop the sump and let the remaining fluid fall on your hand then you can get at the filter and gasket. If you have a torque convertor drain plug then you should drain that as well. You should be able to see that through a small cutaway (with a plastic cover) in the bell housing. Rotate the engine until you see the drain plug. If your box is a five speed one then you should only use the genuine MB transmission fluid to refill HTH Andy

television

Always remembered RIP

Joined Mar 14, 2005 Messages 164,070 Reaction score 400 Age 90 Location Daventry Your Mercedes 2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded Look at the postings by Parrot of Doom and photo's. Malcolm

Chazchuzzlewitt

Senior Member

Joined Nov 30, 2004 Messages 378 Reaction score 0 Location Dorchester Your Mercedes W/S124 320TE Estate Not to sound pedantic, but just for easy recognition the ATF dipstick is black on the E300D and says 'MB workshop only on the top. As Andy K said, check when engine is up to operating temperature and engine running, with the gearshift in 'P' on level ground. Check it doesn't smell burnt, it should be a clear-ish red colour, not brown. Great car... I may be biased though

Parrot of Doom

Senior Member

Joined Nov 14, 2005 Messages 2,167 Reaction score 4 Location Manchester Your Mercedes Was an E300TD, now a Lexus LS400 There is no dipstick - the car wouldn't run with one in, its very long. The dipstick tube has a cap which you lever off with a screwdriver. You then have to buy a dipstick, or get your local merc man to check it. OP L

landspeed

Member

Joined Mar 1, 2006 Messages 17 Reaction score 0

Parrot of Doom said: There is no dipstick - the car wouldn't run with one in, its very long. The dipstick tube has a cap which you lever off with a screwdriver. You then have to buy a dipstick, or get your local merc man to check it. Click to expand...

Where would be the best place to buy a dipstick? Would the Mercedes garage sell one, or would they just say 'I'm afraid that is a dealer only item, Sir' Thanks for the advice - and I will look at the write-up too!

bundy

Senior Member

Joined Feb 3, 2005 Messages 133 Reaction score 0 Age 63 Location merseyside

Parrot of Doom said: There is no dipstick - the car wouldn't run with one in, its very long. The dipstick tube has a cap which you lever off with a screwdriver. You then have to buy a dipstick, or get your local merc man to check it. Click to expand...

if your car is a w124 it will have a dipstick for the autobox!! it was removed on the 210 as this supposidly has fluid that lasts forever!!! yeah right ;-p regards ted

Chazchuzzlewitt

Senior Member

Joined Nov 30, 2004 Messages 378 Reaction score 0 Location Dorchester Your Mercedes W/S124 320TE Estate yup- there's definately a dipstick on the 124 E300D, in fact I had it in my hand just the other day! Glad I didn't buy a 210- no dipstick?! B

bobceeuk

Guest

Funny?, I have a 210 with an auto box dipstick C

clive williams

Senior Member

Joined Aug 23, 2005 Messages 586 Reaction score 0

bobceeuk said: Funny?, I have a 210 with an auto box dipstick Click to expand...

Bob, I'll do you a swap with my non-dipstick cap and then you can have a perfectly original unit????? Now a bit of general info - care when replacing the sump on the auto box after a fluid change!! The pressed metal pan has a habit of distorting the flange, which you can't really tell. When you torque up the pan to the prescribed preset level the gasket distorts and as soon as the ATF heats up it dribbles/pours depending on the number of time the pans been off (it distorts each time). Last time it happened to me it stranded me in Brum where the local gearbox specialist showed me how to do it:- Tighten the pan bolts evenly such that the tabs remain vertical but just about to move. Make sure the bolts are fitted with thread lock to stop them coming out. The torque value on these bolts is obviously lower than normal but so far (35k mls) its been reliable but due for a change soon. Clive B

Bolide

Senior Member

Joined Sep 17, 2002 Messages 3,294 Reaction score 5 Website www.w124.co.uk Your Mercedes BMW 525 Diesel Touring Dipstick 1994 W124 E300Ds have a (big, long, wavy) dipstick at the back of the engine. In fact I think all W124s have them but have learnt never to state something as fact with these cars - there are too many exceptions! If you have a W210 with a dipstick I'd suspect it has a carry-over W124 engine. It wouldn't surprise me at all if early diesel W210s had a dipstick Nick Froome www.w124.co.uk M

MERCSTAR

New Member

Joined Mar 20, 2006 Messages 5 Reaction score 0 How Often Should The Auto Fluid Be Changed? Mine Is A W124 Auto Petrol Saloon 1992 - What Fluid Is Best? Cheers, Mercstar M

MERCSTAR

New Member

Joined Mar 20, 2006 Messages 5 Reaction score 0 W124 Auto Trans Fluid Whilst On The Subject, I Have A W124 230e Saloon Petrol How Often Should The Auto Trans Fluid Be Changed And Anyone Recommend Fluid? (or One That Conforms To Merc Standards)? Mechanic At Merc Stealership Said Mercedes Recommend Not Changing It Along The Lines Of 'if It Ain't Broke Leave It Alone' Cheers, Mercstar

Parrot of Doom

Senior Member

Joined Nov 14, 2005 Messages 2,167 Reaction score 4 Location Manchester Your Mercedes Was an E300TD, now a Lexus LS400 Depends what your driving style is. I've heard figures of 30,000 for normal stop-start driving, and 60,000 for mainly motorway driving. C

clive williams

Senior Member

Joined Aug 23, 2005 Messages 586 Reaction score 0

Parrot of Doom said: Depends what your driving style is. I've heard figures of 30,000 for normal stop-start driving, and 60,000 for mainly motorway driving. Click to expand...

I change mine at around 40k mls to suit the service intervals. Clive 500E E320CDIT210 G

Glenn Smith

Senior Member

Joined Sep 20, 2004 Messages 186 Reaction score 0 Location Peterborough, UK. Changed mine at 136000, just in case. if these box's have the same lugs as the 722.6, the ones that hold the sump on, watch out, the bolts can snap, as one of mine did! Also mine had no torque converter drain so i changed the oil twice to dilute any remaining old fluid, and will probably do it again soon, just oil not filter. You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link Peter Best Insurance is a leading specialist in Mercedes-Benz insurance. All MBO members are eligible for exclusive rates on all our classic car policies.Call now for our 'BEST' quote. Tel: 01376 573033

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