1999 SL 320 auto box

[hoppo4.2]

my old man has the above car. as far as i can tell it has not had the oil in the box changed for some time but all of the people i have spoken to about it have said that they cant do it because it has no dip stick for the oil level.

dose it really have to go back to merc or is it just a case of draing the old oil changing the filter and refilling with the correct amout of oil?

[smashedV8]

A merc dipstick is required to check the oil level. Available from any dealer can get you the part no. tomorrow, if you like?

It must be checked in park at 80degC,

If i was doing the oil and filter change i would also renue the sump gasket and put between 3.5 and 4l of ATF in!

Edited by smashedV8 on Friday 5th March 21:08

[hoppo4.2]

that would be fab if you can get me the part number. theres no prob doing it and yes i agree i would change all the gaskets etc while im at it.

[r129sl]

I would not take it to any of the morons who have said they can't do it because it lacks a dipstick.

The dipstick costs £40. I would also fit the updated sump pan, which has a magnet fitted.

[smashedV8]

ok will do, as r129 says around £40

However updated sump with a magnet??? Never heard of that. Not on an old SL?(722.6)
The standard sumps should all have a magnet as would any auto merc.

The newer 7 speed boxes (722.9) can have a variant sump. One has a shampher/angled edge to the back of the sump, to do with checking oil level.

[74merc]

To change the ATF properly, you need to drain the sump and the torque convertor. The earlier 722.6 gearboxes were easier as there is a plug on the TC to do this. The TC on the later gearboxes have to be drained by disconnecting the cooler hoses going to the radiator. If you bring the car to a MB specialist they'll know what to do as it is a routine job. I'd budget between £150 and £200 for this as the ATF itself is quite expensive. The sump bung, gasket and filter are less than £20.