JHZR2
Staff member
In recent memory I’ve serviced a 47RE and a A343F, and I’ve also done work on 4L60E and other ATs I don’t recall. They all result in me getting covered in ATF, and a stain on my driveway.
Today I decided to service my 1991 Mercedes 300D. It has 232k mikes, needed an oil change, and I didn’t have history on the transmission service. It shifts well but I sporadically get a 2-3 flare, I think when it’s really cold. Not sure if I need a new K1 spring, or if it was maybe fluid related. I figured to try fluids first.
It drains easily, both the pan plug and torque converter. The gasket is a thick molded one that clips to the pan. No issues whatsoever.
The pan plug had some dirt on it (non magnetic plug), and when I dropped the pan I was worried at first. But it actually has a speckled rough surface, and there was absolutely zero dirt, grit, clutch material, etc. I’ve never seen one so clean.
The top of the filter had some dirt of some kind (clutch?). But it was only on the top of it. Weird.
Out went a Mann, in went an MB filter. Probably also a Mann.
The old gasket probably could have been reused. It may be an original. I was super happy to find that a factory rebuilt transmission is in the car. That means I’m probably good for another 200k miles.
I put a Dimple super strong magnet in the pan. I put it in one spot and it’s so strong I would have needed to use a tool to get it up. So I left it. No OE magnets in there!
But it really was great. I hesitate to work on ATs because they’re always a mess. This was a breeze. A joy. Totally clean to do. Why can’t they all be this way. And seriously, why can’t they all use a gasket like MB uses? That Toyota FIPG on the A343F is horrible. Typical old gaskets on domestic AT pans are no better.
This design is far superior in terms of serviceability.
Today I decided to service my 1991 Mercedes 300D. It has 232k mikes, needed an oil change, and I didn’t have history on the transmission service. It shifts well but I sporadically get a 2-3 flare, I think when it’s really cold. Not sure if I need a new K1 spring, or if it was maybe fluid related. I figured to try fluids first.
It drains easily, both the pan plug and torque converter. The gasket is a thick molded one that clips to the pan. No issues whatsoever.
The pan plug had some dirt on it (non magnetic plug), and when I dropped the pan I was worried at first. But it actually has a speckled rough surface, and there was absolutely zero dirt, grit, clutch material, etc. I’ve never seen one so clean.
The top of the filter had some dirt of some kind (clutch?). But it was only on the top of it. Weird.
Out went a Mann, in went an MB filter. Probably also a Mann.
The old gasket probably could have been reused. It may be an original. I was super happy to find that a factory rebuilt transmission is in the car. That means I’m probably good for another 200k miles.
I put a Dimple super strong magnet in the pan. I put it in one spot and it’s so strong I would have needed to use a tool to get it up. So I left it. No OE magnets in there!
But it really was great. I hesitate to work on ATs because they’re always a mess. This was a breeze. A joy. Totally clean to do. Why can’t they all be this way. And seriously, why can’t they all use a gasket like MB uses? That Toyota FIPG on the A343F is horrible. Typical old gaskets on domestic AT pans are no better.
This design is far superior in terms of serviceability.
Last edited: