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Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG
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Posted 8/13/2019 6:35 PM
G4me
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Date registered: Jan 2012
Location: Honolulu, HI
Vehicle(s): 2002 G500, FJZ80 LandCruiser
Posts: 111
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Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

My 2002 G500 recently turned 100K miles so I am in process of base lining all fluids. The PO had the transmission fluid changed at 40K. Some debate on whether these are sealed for life. Anyhow, I decided to pop off the fill tube lock and get started on fluid change. I got the engine up to operating temp of around 82C and checked fluid level prior to draining so I would know what to shoot for on replacement. To my surprise even warmed up after 20 minutes of city driving the fluid level only measured midway of the 25C range with truck at idle in park. I tried inserting dipstick multiple times to make sure it was at bottom of pan etc. I know it is easy to bang on the Stealership technicians but my best guess it was not properly filled during last service. The other possibility is that the dipstick is not getting all the way to bottom of pan however, it will not go in any further despite twisting etc. I have checked numerous times in previous months and have no leaks at Tranny or T/C so fluid did not leak out. I have read these trans are sensitive to fill level and was somewhat concerned and sent a PM to G AMG who responded on a Sunday!

Following G AMG DIY Tutorial I drained the fluid. The fluid was an umber color but did not smell burnt. Just really nasty looking. The pan magnet had very little almost no metal build up. Candidly it is not the strongest magnet. If I drop pan again I will install the round MB magnet as safeguard. I ended up draining 4 qts plus minor spillage and have replaced with 6 qts of new to get to correct fill line on dipstick.

A couple years ago I had my G into dealer for a "well baby visit" just a routine check up and to look for any maintenance items needing attention. They identified a couple things (brake fluid flush, leaking shock) but were silent on filling the transmission. I assume trans fluid level does not show up when running STAR and it is sealed for life so why would they physically check.

Based on my experience I would recommend getting a dipstick and checking level whether you plan to drain and replace or not. Had I known I was low I would have filled it years ago.

G4me
#240889
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Posted 8/13/2019 6:57 PM
ychung
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Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
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RE: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

I don't know if I am doing anything wrong, but it's always been 4.5 qts on my 04 after I had it drained for at least an hour.
#240890 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 8/13/2019 8:09 PM
G4me
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Date registered: Jan 2012
Location: Honolulu, HI
Vehicle(s): 2002 G500, FJZ80 LandCruiser
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RE: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

Ychung - Is 4.5 qts based on measure what was drained and replace same volume or using the dipstick to check level?
#240892 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 8/15/2019 1:18 AM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
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Re: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

My eBay dipstick bottoms out before it is inserted fully. I stop when it touches bottom, but don't really trust it being accurate.
#240900 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 8/15/2019 11:27 AM
ychung
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Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
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RE: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

It's both.
That's how much was drained and refilled and I checked with dipstick.
#240903 - in reply to #240892
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Posted 8/15/2019 2:43 PM
AlanMcR
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
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Re: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

The plastic bit on the end stops at a feature at the bottom of the tube mount.  That way the measurement stays the same regardless of how long and convoluted the tube is.
#240904 - in reply to #240900
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Posted 8/20/2019 10:46 PM
G4me
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Date registered: Jan 2012
Location: Honolulu, HI
Vehicle(s): 2002 G500, FJZ80 LandCruiser
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RE: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

Eric,

I don't feel that I am getting a positive stop when dipstick bottoms out so I have no confidence in the reading. I am taking it by my indy mechanic so he can hook up the STAR and ECU and get correct reading. In the future I will be able to drain and refill based amount drained and measured so I replace what was drained.

G4me
#240914 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 8/20/2019 11:38 PM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
Re: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

Maybe you leak from the electrical connector though? It can't be that hard to get a real dipstick. I would like to find one.
#240915 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 8/21/2019 4:49 PM
DUTCH
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Date registered: Apr 2006
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RE: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

G4me - 8/20/2019 10:46 PM

Eric,

I don't feel that I am getting a positive stop when dipstick bottoms out so I have no confidence in the reading. I am taking it by my indy mechanic so he can hook up the STAR and ECU and get correct reading. In the future I will be able to drain and refill based amount drained and measured so I replace what was drained.

G4me


If you're using the correct MB dipstick, there can be no question when it bottoms out.

The only thing your indy mechanic can do with the STAR is to be sure that the temperature is correct for measurement, but he'll still need the proper dipstick to measure the level.
#240916 - in reply to #240914
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Posted 8/25/2019 10:23 PM
AlanMcR
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Date registered: Apr 2006
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Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
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Re: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

otiswesty - 8/20/2019 8:38 PM ... It can't be that hard to get a real dipstick. I would like to find one.

$5 off of eBay.  They are all "too long" in order to accommodate the many different dipstick tube lengths.  The only part that matters is the plastic bit at the end, it stops at a feature of the pan.  This way all 722.6's can use the same dipstick. 

#240933 - in reply to #240915
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Posted 9/1/2019 12:18 AM
G4me
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Date registered: Jan 2012
Location: Honolulu, HI
Vehicle(s): 2002 G500, FJZ80 LandCruiser
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100
RE: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

Eric - No fluid leak from the electrical connector socket. I replaced the socket with new as preventative maintenance but there was no leak or weepage around the socket connector.

My quandary is this. I originally checked and adjusted the level using a 722.6 dipstick from Amazon but was not confident in the reading. Took it to my indy and he said it was a little over filled and adjusted. The next morning I checked using my Amazon dipstick and it read OK at - start up in the 25 band, after 15 minutes above the 25 band but after an hour of stop and go traffic it read low. Called my mechanic and he said bring it back. Showed him using my dipstick (Low) and had him confirm I was using the right technique to stick it. He then checked with his (high). He said trust mine since it is new. I said trust his since it was an MB part. He was concerned his was worn from years of use and may be going too deep giving false high. Not sure which to believe I ordered a MB dipstick from Vlad. The MB goes in almost all the way to the handle and has a firm stop. It measures 1 through 12 rather than 25C and 80C. There was only one listed for 1998 to 2008. Comparing the two dipsticks the 25C range on the MB would be between 1 and 3 hash marks and 80C would be between 10 and 12. Did I get the wrong dipstick?

I am now also using a thermocouple to determine fluid temp. The amazon reads low (underfill) and the MB reads high showing overfill at 50-60 C. I assume if high at 60C it will be high at 80C. During my last check of level at 62C the Amazon was at bottom of 25C and the MB was higher than the 12 mark but not off the plastic bit. I did not have a chance to get it on the highway and get temp up to 80C. I have checked the dimensions of both with a caliper to see if the plastic bit is different size and they are slightly different. Not sure how these two could be giving such different readings or which one to believe?

G4Me
#240940 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 10/31/2019 9:18 AM
mb230s

Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SWFL
Vehicle(s): G-less for now, vintage MBs, FJ40
500
Re: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

Late post here - but if you are only getting 4-6 quarts out of the 722.6 it's not a complete flush. (My last flush was 11 quarts on a 1998 C43 AMG w/ 722.6.)

Hopefully your torque convertor has a drain plug - some years did not. If not you should repeat the drain / re-fill 2-3 times to sufficiently dilute the fluid you can't drain. There is also a way to flush via the trans cooler lines - pumping new fluid in until only new fluid is coming thru.

BTW - the conductor plate and harness connection should be replaced probably every other flush/fill also.

Edited by mb230s 10/31/2019 9:23 AM
#241147 - in reply to #240889
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Posted 11/10/2019 3:26 PM
W5YK
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Date registered: May 2006
Location: San Diego
Vehicle(s): 2002 G500, Unimog U2450,
Posts: 543
500
Re: Transmission get a dipstick and shout out to G AMG

mb230 has the right idea. If you want to get all the fluid out, drain as normal and then disconnect the hose from the transmission oil cooler output (I think that's the driver's side hose if I remember correctly), and carefully do a few short runs of the engine until the new fluid that your assistant is adding starts to show. It doesn't come out crazy fast, so it's pretty easy to keep this under control. There's a pump in the transmission forcing it through. You get a lot more fluid out this way. Not for the faint of heart.

BTW my 2002 G500 has no drain plug on the TC. So that fluid is not all coming out no matter how you do it.

Edited by W5YK 11/10/2019 3:27 PM
#241192 - in reply to #240889
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