new '97 C230 owner advice

[timmyj51]

Just picked up a '97 C230. Real nice car but can anyone tell me what potential problems I should be looking out
out for with this car (have heard there were issues with the
tranny on this year and model) and if there are any maintenance matters I should pay particular attention to?

[Pagz]

hey =)
completely remove the window wiper,grease the "half moon shape gear" inside,that will save you a small fortune in the long run!.

Cheers,
Paul

[timmyj51]

How so? Is the wiper prone to failure?

[Pagz]

Apparently they are(according to how many my parts guy sells).

I think the half moon gear is slightly open to moisture/weathering etc so hence why the grease drys out.
If you pull it out grease all the other bits too.

After i did mine it runs ALOT smoother(not that i ever thought it was rough)

[Cru328prod]

Yes....wiper is a musttttttt....

Get the trans (make sure they drain the toque converter too), diff fluid changed...(take it to the dealership or someone that actually has the right transmission dipstick since it doesn't come with the car)...oh and get the supercharge oil changed too

run some 44k threw it.....and shes golden....

[timmyj51]

Owners manual says the tranny on the C230 does not
need ANY service. Had doubts about that and called
Mercedes USA. They said the owners manual is correct. Don't need to ever check or change the tranny fluid.

[nhmercracer]

The transmission fluid MUST be changed. Someone is feeding you a load of poo if the told you this. The early 722.6 transmission is not as robust as the later units. If you fail to maintain the transmission, it will fail, trust me.

Where are the rollers? Embedded in the planetary gear-sets!
http://www.mcarterbrown.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_2202.JPG

Proof it is my transmission:
http://www.mcarterbrown.com/gallery/data/500/Tranny_009.JPG

[Pagz]

Ouch!

[timmyj51]

The people who were feeding me "pooh" were the
technicians at MB USA themselves. Hard to believe you don't have
to change the fluid but I got this information from them
directly. Even called a second time for confirmation. Why don't you call them yourselves? (if you look at the tranny dipstick
it appears to be sealed. Can't just open it like other
dipsticks).

[Cru328prod]

You can open it, you just have to break the red tab, its like a dollar to get at the dealership...I don't believe in lifetime fluid...it's like saying nothing has a expiration date...Everything breaks down over time. I think Merc didn't take into consideration the life expectancy of the tranny itself...the M111 engine is VERY strong engine... even looking at pictures of 23ks tear downs, the cylinder walls looked pretty dam new for the miles that was on there. Theres a thread on here with how many people had transmission problems...i've gone threw atleast 2. If your going to take advice from anyone...let it be from people on here....we've pretty much did it all....from turbos, cold air intakes, nitrous, etc....there really hasn't been a issue yet that all of us hasn't resolved one way or another...Out of all of the forums out here, this one is the best god dam one...very well organized, informative, everyone is helpful (there was a few bad apples here and there but...banned lol).

[timmyj51]

OK, to be on the safe side the tranny fluid on the C230 should be
changed. How often? What tranny fluid do you use? Is
it just a matter of dropping the pan and changing the filter/gasket
like other trannys?

[Cru328prod]

i would say around 50k
I really recommend you take it to the dealership...

You have to buy all of this from them

Transmission "tool" (dipstick)
Filter
Gasket
Fluid (yes from the stealer ship)
and the Red Tab

(anyone correct me if i'm wrong but)

Pop the dipstick top
Drain
Pull off the pan
Take the gasket off and the filter
Clean the bottom of the pan
Screw off the torque converter screw and drain the rest of it
Screw it back in
Put the new filter in
I like put to a little bit of the trans fuild around the gasket
close it back up
pour a few quarts (about 5-6)
start the car
hold the brake, put in in R wait a few sec's then put it in drive and cycle threw the gears a few times....
test the levels...pour more to get the level correct
check for leaks
put the red tab back on
bammmmmmmmmmm

[timmyj51]

What's this "red tab"? A seal on the tranny dipstick? Gotta
replace it after every change?

[RemoLexi]

on a 97 C230 I dont think there is a torque converter drain plug. so all you need is 4.5qts.

I do my type6 trans service every 20K on the E class since its on the track more then it isnt. I always do a 13-pin connector as well just because its cheap & differential fluid too.

[timmyj51]

Is there a non-MB brand tranny fluid that you can use for
this car?

[RemoLexi]

Originally posted by timmyj51
Is there a non-MB brand tranny fluid that you can use for
this car?

honestly I dont know, but id just play it safe stay with MB fluid even though your getting bent over on the cost. :(

[nhmercracer]

Here is what my 99 C280's transmission fluid looked like at 120K miles. This should be RED!

http://www.mcarterbrown.com/gallery/data/500/Tranny_006.JPG

This transmission failed catastrophically.

I am using this in the replacement transmission.

Valvoline MaxLife ATF (http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid/37)

Inexpensive enough to change every 30k miles.

Add a transmission magnet while you have the transmission pan removed. Do not just stick a common magnet in, but purchase the genuine Mercedes transmission pan magnet.

[timmyj51]

Are you SURE that Valvoline ATF meets MB standards?
Would be nice if it did since it's only about a third of what
the MB stuff costs, but you sure don't want to put anything
in that transmission that's not supposed to be there.

[JRE320]

If I were you. I would stick to MB stuff. That's 1 thing i would do
instead of trying to save some $$$.

[mykg4orce]

do the front wheel bearings

[nhmercracer]

Valvoline states the fluid is suitable for NAG-1 transmissions.

Several members on Benzworld have been using this fluid for some time with no issues.

I am giving this a try.

If you are worried, use the Chrysler fluid. It is cheaper than the Mercedes fluid, and Chrysler is using it in all their NAG-1 applications.