BrianG

I was gonna do that, but the MIG's outa gas!!

mpesik

Jeez Brian, I can't believe your still trying to figure this out! You must be a COOL sort.- Anyway, good-luck,again. C'mon now admit it, you just love the smell of tranny fluid- DON'T YA!!-Mike

BrianG

Ya, Mike...... TASTES GOOD & LESS FILLING!!!

Oh, and just so's you know........ the Parts Groupo is on the way!!

Come springtime............ FEAR the "S"! . .

Erik - Denmark

Dough,
I was wondering about your problem
From the top of the plastic resevoir you have an small rubber hoses venting the oil back to the gearbox - Check this
Regards from Erik in Denmark

BrianG

I was kind of wondering about the reservoir vent line......

Does anyone know where it vents?
-to atmosphere? ...where is the dump? is it valved?
-to the differential case? ..that would be wierd!
-to the transmission? ..that wouldn't really be a vent!

should it be patent enough to blow through freely?

Erik - Denmark

Brian,
It vents back to the gearbox

BrianG

Erik.......... what do you call the gearbox? the automatic transmission or the differential?

And, should you be able to blow freely through the line?

Erik - Denmark

Brian,
I mean the transmission (Has nothing to do with the differential)
The vent only connect the top of the reservoir and the transmission - Look after the vent line at the top/back of the reservoir
I don't know if you can blow through the line, but most properly is there another vent from the transmission and then : Yes
In this case the rubber hoses may be disconnected in one end, or damaged and leaking.
But that all just a possible posibility - Has not BTDT - Only I saw the vent line one day when I disconnected the reservoir, for fixing leaks in the lower connection plastic tube

BrianG

Thanks Erik!

I see what you mean! Who knows where that nipple goes?? but I guess its what it is!

I replaced that vent tube line with a piece of the red silicone stuff I used for all my vacuum lines in the engine compartment. Made it just a bit longer than the original so it's easier to install on the reservoir.

Have just now completed the fluid replacement proceedure, and so far, so good!!

I'm off for the proverbial "test run"!

Wish me luck! I'm either returning driving, with a leak-free transmission; or walking, an empty pack of matches!!

mpesik

Luck-Hey Brian should I call the journal-Nothin like a good ole fashioned porsche burning!!

BrianG

Where's the matches???

I can't believe this!!

I must be missing something! This now makes NO sense at all............

I have a few questions that I need to pose to somebody who knows everyting that there is to know about this silly Mercedes unit! Can anyone direct me to a web-site and/or individual who can talk knowledgably to me about this??? I'm about beat, save for a couple of pretty far fetched possibilities.

doug928

Brian,

What's up? I would like to know what's happening. I just removed the heat shield and pulled off the fill tank. - What a MESS. The tube which vents the tank does as Erik points out go back into the tranny. I'm in the middle of giving the whole outside a thorough cleaning. As I pulled off the tank the lock nuts came off the tank .

Did you clamp the new overflow tube to both the tank and transmission. I would be concerned that if you didn't you may get a leak through the tube.

Doug

mpesik

-Mike

BrianG

Well. this whole mess started when I had the transmission "professionally serviced" a year ago. They pulled the pan and R/R'd the ATF and filter. Since I got it back, it has leaked. I returned it to the shop and got a load of garbage that essentially translated into "it's not our fault". I wouldn't let those dorks touch another bolt on any vehicle of mine, so I proceeded to try to figure this out myself.

I replaced the rear trans-cooler lines because they were weeping, but knew THAT wasn't the real issue.

I've cleaned the area to shining!! so I could see where the leak is originating. I first see signs of ATF at the case-to-pan-gasket interface at the front right corner, every time!

I have the case cleaned up so that I can see:
the TV cable case-entry... not leaking;
and the shifter-shaft.... not leaking and wrong side anyway;
vacuum modulator pot..... not leaking;
front seal .... case dry / torque converter dry;
reservoir replaced with a new one just in case it was cracked somewhere I couldn't see.... no difference.... reservoir remains dry while the pan is WET and no leak at the the reservoir/pan fitting.

All this and the pan is WET to the point that there is a pie-plate sized wet spot under the car after an hour of being parked.

I replaced the reservoir vent line with silicone tubing...... it's a very tight slip-fit.... to leak, it would have to come off....... it hasn't.

I can't figure this out..............

WHO ARE THE RENNLIST'S RESIDENT AUTO-TRANS WIZARDS??

borland

Brian,

The pan is designed such that when the retaining bolts are tightened, the pan at the bolt locations will meet with the bottom of the transmission. This limits the compression on the gasket to a prescribed amount; so the seal is exactly the same regardless of the bolt tightness.

The leak you have is caused by the "gasket" or the "gasket seating surfaces". Since you have a leak with two gaskets, its likely the seating surface.

A common cause of leaks is a scratch or gouge on the seating area. Now you said you thoroughly cleaned the gasket seating surfaces, but did you inspect for any scratches or gouges? Gouges or scratches can create a channel or path for the leak that the gasket can't fill.

You should use a 5x loupe to inspect the seating areas for defects. Sand any scratches or gouges using 2000 grit sandpaper until a satisfactory visual inspection is achieved.

Also, prior to assembly, degrease and clean gasket seating surfaces. Then with lacquer thinner and a “white” cloth or paper towel, wipe the surfaces until fine particles are no longer removed.

Inspect the gasket and assembly the pan to the transmission. No need to use an sealant. That should take care of your leak. Regards,