When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Try British Parts (www.britishparts.co.uk) who I used for a complete renewal kit for my ZF5HP24. It came complete with gasket, filter and O rings. They also supplied new bigger bolts to replace the small T27 torque heads which had corroded badly on my car. All I had to find was the ATF fluid.
They may stock the same for the Merc unit. They seem to stock complete service kits for individual jobs ie oil service etc
Although RockAuto does not list it for my XKR, their ATP B217 filter (includes neoprene gasket) works great for me. I bought a half dozen, a good while back (for multiple vehicles). I think I paid less than $4 each, but now I see that they are over $8. You will need a proper Mercedes dipstick and temperature chart. If you ping the pan with an IR temperature gun as I do, add 10 Deg F. to display reading for a more accurate temperature of the fluid itself.
As for proper transmission fluid, just like motor oil, there are differing opinions / research. So, I will leave the fluid for others to address.
Given how common the 722.6 transmission is, you can buy the parts pretty much anywhere (including the pan gasket and filter as a kit). If you are doing it, you may as well renew the connector sleeve at the same time as they are prone to leak. For oil, I used Fuchs ATF 4134. Don't forget to order a new drain plug copper washer at the same time.
Mercedes-Benz now specifies the same fluids for the 722.6 as for the updated 722.9, listed on Specification Sheet 236.14:
In addition to the M-B 236.14 fluid available from M-B dealers, some of the fluids available in the U.S. include the Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134 that dibbit mentioned, LiquiMoly TOP TEC 1600, Mobil ATF 134 and Pentosin ATF 134. You may also be able to find the Shell ATF 134 and Ravenol ATF M 9-serie. Check European parts vendors like FCP Euro, ECS Tuning, Turner Motorsports, Rock Auto, PartsGeek, and eBay and Amazon sellers. I've purchased a lot of transmission fluid from eBay seller partscontainer.
Has anyone used a BG product in there Mercedes unit? I think the correct one would be PN 315 or 312. It seems like all the independent mechanics in my area only will use BG..
Has anyone used a BG product in there Mercedes unit? I think the correct one would be PN 315 or 312. It seems like all the independent mechanics in my area only will use BG..
According to the list from Mercedes-Benz, there is no approved product from BG. Bear in mind that while BG products are high quality, the reason many shops promote them so heavily is that they make a hefty profit on every sale.
Before you let them use a BG transmission fluid, do yourself a favor and study the Material Safety Data Sheet and compare the chemistry to that of one of the approved fluids like Mobil ATF 134. A clear sign that the fluid is inappropriate is a difference in viscosity index or kinematic viscosity.
I also use the a Fuchs Titan 134. I would advise against using any fluid not on the M-B list. I tried using the Chrysler +4 which is used in the Chrysler Crossfire, (it also has the 722.6 transmission). The POP result was not satisfactory. I drained it and put in the Fuchs 134. The transmission is now flawless.
Z
PS. If you are changing the solenoid panel, don’t get any eBay parts claiming to be genuine MB parts. They aren’t. A good source for MB parts is Pelican Parts: https://www.pelicanparts.com
My 2002 uses the Mercedes-Benz W5A580 - which was also in a lot of Chrysler vehicles. I got all my supplies and parts for my transmission service from the local Dodge dealer. The 722.6 was also used in Dodge/Chrysler products, so any Autozone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly auto parts stores or Chrysler dealership should have much less expensive alternatives than "Jaguar approved" options.
All 722.6 transmissions are not built to the same specifications. The Chrysler cars using the 722.6 unit do not have the same specs as the 722.6’s used in the XKR’s.
some may have had no issues with the Chrysler 4+ fluid. It did not work satisfactorily for me.
I also use the a Fuchs Titan 134. I would advise against using any fluid not on the M-B list. I tried using the Chrysler +4 which is used in the Chrysler Crossfire, (it also has the 722.6 transmission).
This seems to be a common misconception on the forums. Chrysler did not specify ATF+4 for the Crossfire (or the Sprinters that used the 722.6), although some dealerships may have mistakenly used it.
The Mopar part number for a quart of ATF+4 is 68218057AC. The Mopar part number for the fluid Chrysler specifies for the Crossfire/Sprinter is 5127382AB (1 liter size), and marked right on the bottle label is MB236.14, referring to the Mercedes-Benz approved fluid data sheet that I uploaded in post #7. Another clue that the fluids are different is that Chrysler dealers charge about $10 for a quart of ATF+4, but a liter of Crossfire/Sprinter ATF is $20+.
The transmission in the Crossfire is the same 722.6 used in the first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK, and Mercedes specifies the same fluids for those as for the transmissions in the X100 XKRs and X308 XJRs (per sheet 236.14).
If I am reading the BG's compatibly chart correctly, both PN 312 and PN 315 both show they meet or exceed the MB 236.14 specs.
We've learned the hard way that third-party fluid makers' & marketers' claims cannot always be trusted. We should be especially skeptical when a marketer claims that one fluid is a suitable replacement for dozens of other fluids. Here's a simple chemical comparison anyone can do. I'm attaching the Material Safety Data Sheets.
For Mobil ATF 134, a fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz for use in the 722.6, the kinematic viscosity at 40 degrees Centigrade is 29.6 cSt (mm2/sec).
The kinematic viscosity of BG 312 at 40C is 34.28 cSt, or 15.81% more viscous than Mobil ATF 134.
The kinematic viscosity of BG 315 at 40C is 28.7 cSt, or 3% less viscous than Mobil ATF 134.
To put these numbers into perspective, the difference in viscosity between 0W grade engine oil and 10W grade oil is less than 8%.
The base oil of both BG products is different from the base oil of Mobil ATF 134, and the disclosed additives are different. Viscosity at various temperatures is not the only criterion that matters (other factors include slippage characteristics/friction modifiers, anti-corrosion and anti-foaming additives, etc.), but it's the most critical characteristic, and comparing viscosities is a simple way to judge the similarity of two fluids.
BG claims that both of the above fluids are suitable for use in the 722.6, despite the fact that their chemical properties are very different from each other, and also different from a known approved fluid.
These fluids may, in fact, be "good enough" for use in your transmission. But with so many fluids approved by M-B to choose from, why take the risk?
Don and Zray know their stuff. Don’t like the big difference in BG’s KV values.
I don’t have the M-B tranny but did a lot of work on my ZF5HP24. I almost had a heart attack at the cost to Import the specified ZF Fluid into Bahrain.
Bear in mind the Kingdom of Bahrain here is a REALLY hot desert climate, so “tropical” spec fluids are used here. Ie I have 10W40 engine oil, plus my hydraulic fluids need to be changed more frequently as they gum up. So local knowledge is important and is to be valued. I couldn’t get the ATF brands recommended here on the forum so a local mechanic recommended some. A local LiquiMoly agent , in Dubai, also said one of his would work, and just like you I poured over diligently the spec sheets.
I seem to remember one previous Forum member had a problem with the ATF cooler at the front of the car so he deleted it and replaced it with a straight through pipe. He then later reported problems on the gearbox. Too hot ATF causes all sorts of intermittent problems (caused by viscosity drops/foaming etc). Definitely worth checking that cooler is ok.
In the end, it’s a question of finding what you can at a reasonable price. With the difficulties in the ATF change on our cars, you want to get it right as it’s done infrequently (80,000 miles - ish intervals). My young helper still has the burn scar from the exhaust, which he considers “Manly”.
Just my 02 cents.... and I don’t have the M-B tranny!
We've learned the hard way that third-party fluid makers' & marketers' claims cannot always be trusted. We should be especially skeptical when a marketer claims that one fluid is a suitable replacement for dozens of other fluids. Here's a simple chemical comparison anyone can do. I'm attaching the Material Safety Data Sheets.
For Mobil ATF 134, a fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz for use in the 722.6, the kinematic viscosity at 40 degrees Centigrade is 29.6 cSt (mm2/sec).
The kinematic viscosity of BG 312 at 40C is 34.28 cSt, or 15.81% more viscous than Mobil ATF 134.
The kinematic viscosity of BG 315 at 40C is 28.7 cSt, or 3% less viscous than Mobil ATF 134.
To put these numbers into perspective, the difference in viscosity between 0W grade engine oil and 10W grade oil is less than 8%.
The base oil of both BG products is different from the base oil of Mobil ATF 134, and the disclosed additives are different. Viscosity at various temperatures is not the only criterion that matters (other factors include slippage characteristics/friction modifiers, anti-corrosion and anti-foaming additives, etc.), but it's the most critical characteristic, and comparing viscosities is a simple way to judge the similarity of two fluids.
BG claims that both of the above fluids are suitable for use in the 722.6, despite the fact that their chemical properties are very different from each other, and also different from a known approved fluid.
These fluids may, in fact, be "good enough" for use in your transmission. But with so many fluids approved by M-B to choose from, why take the risk?
Cheers,
Don
Finally getting around to dropping off my vehicle to have the filter and fluid exchanged. My mechanic is agreeing to using the oem fluid from Mercedes. He told me something that surprised me. Is the Mercedes fluid really non synthetic?
Finally getting around to dropping off my vehicle to have the filter and fluid exchanged. My mechanic is agreeing to using the oem fluid from Mercedes. He told me something that surprised me. Is the Mercedes fluid really non synthetic?
Thanks!
Yes most if not all 134 spec ATFs are Group II or III hydrocarbon based (i.e not "synthetic"). MB approved 134 for use in the older NAG-1 because the trans does not care about what you put in it. Even Walmart SuperTech Dex III will get the job done.
FCP Euro sells a complete package for the 722.6 transmission oil change, and they also have options to include the conductor plate and electrical connector if you want to do those at the same time.
Mercedes-Benz now specifies the same fluids for the 722.6 as for the updated 722.9, listed on Specification Sheet 236.14:
They do, but I think that is mostly so the dealerships don't have to stock the old ATF 134 spec.
Personally, I would prefer not to mix fluid types and unless you drain the torque converter and blow out the radiator, you are only going to change about 60-70% of the fluid. With that in mind, since ATF 134 is what was in it originally, that is what I would prefer to use unless it was a new or remanuactured transmission,
If it was a reman or new trams I would use the Mopar ATF+4. In the US that is the most widely used factory fill for the 722.6 transmissions in other models and it is certainly more available and more common than any of the mercedes-spec fluids..
Has anyone used a BG product in there Mercedes unit? I think the correct one would be PN 315 or 312. It seems like all the independent mechanics in my area only will use BG..
yes, don't do it.
I won't be specific unless you really need it. It is not as universal as bg implies. The Mercedes is a very durable extremely specific transmission. I had problems in an XJR I owned for a short period of time with the bg flush. We made sure the fluid level was proper at 80c. Then saw it on another car or two. I used the latest spec 722.9 in my xkr and the febi bilstein 722.6 in my vdp sc without issue. The febi is believed to be oem but somehow not labeled.
I've put well over 60k on the xkr with febi and switched to Mercedes 722.9 on it 20k ago. No problems.
the 722.9 seems to be thinner so I decided against putting that in my 2000 vdp with 200k plus miles, and only use the 722.6 febi for that vehicle. After a conductor plate swap and a few drop and fills its been solid. Bought it at 179k miles, started playing with fluids within 10k and have 240k on it now.
stick with the febi or Mercedes 722.9 due to the age and what was originally in the car. Not sure id feel OK with the NAG1 specs and the US fluid that goes with them. Same transmission but years later. Look at the revisions on the conductor plate. They constantly improved the components in this transmission - my 02 has not had any issues whatsoever, yet my 2000 would shift erratically until I swapped the plate and reset the adaptions.
01-04-2020, 03:14 PM
I use British Parts for complete service kits
