97 c280 tranny

[greekC]

i need to replace my tranny fluid in my 97 c280. Anyone know how much fluid to put in? I got 5 Qt from the dealer but they say they dont know how many it takes. Also should i drain the torque coenverter ?

[JRE320]

Did you get the filter and gasket also? I think you got enough as far as 5 qts. try putting in 3 qts 1st then pull out your dip stick and see the measurement from there.

[nokia8860]

Originally posted by greekC
Also should i drain the torque coenverter ?

You will have to do this as well. Some just drain what they can and mix in the new with the old. It works but it isnt a complete job unless the coverter is drained as well.

[pnsji]

the total number is 9 quarts.
about 4.5 quarts at the oil pan
about 4.5 quarts at the tourqe cvonverter.

Remember that you have to have the MB computer to drain the tourqe converter because it has to be at certain temperature and setting.

[greekC]

MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE A DIP STICK THATS WHATS THROWING ME OFF.

[Rocky]

It does have a dip stick. It's a locking cap that is located at the back of the engine to the right when facing the firewall. Each time you check the tranny fluid, you need to break the seal and get a new cap.

[greekC]

O OK SO HOW DO I CHECK THE TRANNY FLUID?

[nokia8860]

Originally posted by greekC
O OK SO HOW DO I CHECK THE TRANNY FLUID?

It is roundish in shape and is sometimes black or orange. If you are still confused on where your dipstick is. Post a picture of your entire engine bay and I will circle it for you.

[pnsji]

no need to post in caps. posting in caps = shouting!

So what happend is that Mercedes decided not to give dipstick to customer any longer starting in 1997.
Instead, they give you a locking cap that once you open it, you need a new cap. But you could also get a dipstick from MB as well.

The tranny fluid line should be behind the mass airflow sensor and at the left side of the intake funnel.
It is around here

[merc_lover]

how do u take out the fluid in the first place?? i heard somewhere that you cant change it and the fluid is supposed to last the cars (expected) lifetime. after that you have to dish out the money for a new tranny.

[nokia8860]

Originally posted by merc_lover
i heard somewhere that you cant change it and the fluid is supposed to last the cars (expected) lifetime.

Change your tranny oil. Dont believe the hype about life time stuff. I take mines to Topline as they are able to flush it out completely with the converter.

[J Irwan]

Originally posted by nokia8860
Change your tranny oil. Dont believe the hype about life time stuff. I take mines to Topline as they are able to flush it out completely with the converter.

Joey,

did you change the fuild in the Torque converter as well..

I got 5 qrt only , and they don't recommend flushing the Torque converter....

Also how much did you guys were charged for.. (please let me know was it 5 qrt or 9 qrt..?)
I am just curious to know...for comparison....that's all


Regardz,

J Irwan

[kodiak]

I am curious about the cost as well. I have the fluid, filter and gasket sitting in my garage and was totally gung ho to do this myself until I read the bit about a computer being needed to flush the torque converter....

~dnm

[nokia8860]

ill call up topline tomorrow and ask about cost. but topline does flush the convertor as well. zim said that you can just empty and replace the tranny and not the convertor but its not considered a full flush.

but he said if you do it enough you eventually flush the whole thing out. I will call and post a quote.

[JRE320]

Ummmmm... you guys are scaring me. I better go and check my fluid.... :Ponder: :Paranoid:

[pnsji]

Dan,

Your tranny is a little bit different. You do not have to use the expensive MB tranny fluid.
I am not sure about the tourqe converter for the '95 tranny.
Let me check with my mechanic as well.

[Brabus]

Interesting... I will check with my mechanic too. Perhaps it's time for a flush on my car!

[JRE320]

Originally posted by Brabus
Interesting... I will check with my mechanic too. Perhaps it's time for a flush on my car!

I'm sure your mechanic would be a QUALITY one.......

[nokia8860]

make sure when you guys go to your mechanic you mention joey and club202

[kodiak]

Originally posted by pnsji
Dan,

Your tranny is a little bit different. You do not have to use the expensive MB tranny fluid.
I am not sure about the tourqe converter for the '95 tranny.
Let me check with my mechanic as well.

I know the tranny for the 95 - 96 is very different than the 97 tranny (and better IMHO). You can use the regular MB fluid, or even Dexron (Cheap GM fluid), but I run Mobil 1 ATF anyways. The tranny for 95-96 is straight from the SL so it has all sorts of little things about it that you would not expect- like 2nd gear start, but the trade off is that it is pretty much bulletproof, unlike the 97 tranny.

~dnm

[Rocky]

Originally posted by kodiak
I know the tranny for the 95 - 96 is very different than the 97 tranny (and better IMHO). You can use the regular MB fluid, or even Dexron (Cheap GM fluid), but I run Mobil 1 ATF anyways. The tranny for 95-96 is straight from the SL so it has all sorts of little things about it that you would not expect- like 2nd gear start, but the trade off is that it is pretty much bulletproof, unlike the 97 tranny.

~dnm

I thought it was the other way around. The 97 Tranny was good but the ones before 97 were bad?

I hope my 1997 C36 tranny is the good one.

[nokia8860]

Im not sure if the c36 5 speed goes into this but it is true that the previous 4 speed for the non amg cars were better than the one year only 97 5 speed. in 98 they redid the design to actually not make it blow up on ya.

thank you mb for giving me a 97 tranny. amex loves you!