Mercedes-Benz S123 300TD | How worn is it after 720.000km?

I got plans to use this as a Daily winter car!
But the car got plans to retire?
I want to check the oil pressure, the compression and the inside of the very badly behaving 722.315 transmission
#mercedesbenz #s123 #automatictransmission
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[@hbhmhbhm]

New fluid and filter will help enormously. Get a load of cheap fluid and do it twice as there will be old fluid in the torque converter and the transmission cooler if it has one. Good luck!

[@MT-rc3gn]

definitely worth it to try changing filter and fluid. as you said, it most definitely will work better. and with some luck it takes you through winter!

[@delukxy]

A Mann filter and gasket looks to be about £20 which is not bad. A good Dextron 3 fluid is about £20 a litre. I don't know how much you are going to use. Will you drain the torque converter? A good video on the Pelican Parts channel. YT will delete my post if I add a link! Surprised that MB don't have a magnet in the pan.

[@guillaumeromain6694]

Please give this gem of a car a chance. New oil new filter. She deserves it

[@peter7417]

This sludge buildup from the clutch and brake bands are to be expected,especialy after so many kilometers even the aluminium shavings that you found are common. Keep in mind that the torque converter holds alot of oil that shoud be drained if this is possible on these models.i would definitely do a complete oil and filter change. But flushing such a worn out and dirty transmission can be the end for it if particels get stuck in the valvebody.

[@SeasideGarage]

Yea I dont think I dare a flush with all that crap in it.... :)

[@davem1980]

Gotta flush it end of the day the new oil will flush the crap out anyway. You might as well flush it through first then if it does work you know the oil is good when you are using it.

[@stefantrnacek1394]

It is definitely worth trying a new filter and oil. Yes, it might cost, but you might save a lot of money and time in not having to change the transmission.

[@SeasideGarage]

It will be tried!

[@totalrecone]

I have learnt many things in my 62 years on this Earth, and the most important one is *'The things I regret most are the things I did not try when I had the chance."* If you do not try the transmission with a flush and then new fluid + filters, it will nag at you til the end of time and drive you nuts. Well, it would drive me nuts.

[@ungureanutiberiu]

Slap a new filter and some ATF, theese old 722`s are sturdy as. Good luck

[@mehrzahl2219]

I think you are the right person to keep this magnificent Benz on the road. Greatest content I can think of. Benz on a shoestring.

[@jonnyb4336]

New fluid and filter for the win!

[@iannunan7024]

Well worth the work.beautiful car

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

Thanks

[@ianturner6954]

Definitely worth a try I think many times Auto boxes not working properly are down to poor maintainence. Worth a flush and new oil and filter then I think it will give you the chance to use it over the winter whilst looking for a replacement. These cars were built to last that’s why Africa is full of them!! Keep up the great channel

[@latitude9.5north54]

I think this age MB torque converter has its own drain plug. Rotate the engine until it is accessible and drain it. Use new washer. New filter and Dexron and it'll work fine.

[@TheQriz]

I agree with the rest, I've had the same experience with my old Mitsu Sapporo. I was surprised what a new filter and ATF did. I put a liter of new ATF in, drained it a couple of days later and did it again as the torque converter holds a lot of oil.

[@carlhydes2058]

Change oil and filter in the gearbox twice. You will see a big difference. I once had a Mercedes Benz 230TE estate, gear box wouldn't shift very well, after flushing out all the old black oil and changing the filter twice made it like new. These are extremely tough. You can even change the Solinods and it so easy to do..

[@simonbrader8408]

A small contribution to the filter and oil costs.

[@SeasideGarage]

Thank you so much Simon! :D

[@jo05dk]

I would absolutely give it a try. It IS glimmery, but we've also seen worse in gearboxes that could still be used for transportation. Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

[@serhadcoban8699]

This turtles cant die best diesel on planet

[@fighne]

go for it,

[@Gianmarco750]

Thank you, your videos are always very nice. My petrol Volvo 245 has 649,000 km on it and still runs great, without even consuming oil. Today they don't build cars like this anymore.

[@SeasideGarage]

Thank you!

[@Weissenschenkel]

If it was mine and I knew it would be hard to find a new gearbox in a short period of time, I'd try flushing the current gearbox and put new oil and filter. If it was a fairly new car (2000-ish) I'd look for a new gearbox right away. Here in Brazil it's hard to find replacement parts for old Mercs, so we import parts from Uruguay at times; not only because they're easier to find but also because they're cheaper.

[@othellolagkage]

Fluid flush and new fluid and filter!

[@whitemonkey7932]

These engines can make huge power with just a pump rework

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi. new oil and filter will work wonders. For the miles it is looking ok to me, no big lumps or metal is fine. From Nr Liverpool UK and GM Vauxhall worker haha.

[@SeasideGarage]

lets see....

[@koenielinux3131]

Agree to try new oil and filter, but FLUSH the gearbox also!

[@mtttony]

I see a lot of American guys fix shifting problems on an old worn auto box, clean it up, change the filter and oil. Good Luck!

[@hoost3056]

Since it's an old school MB diesel, just doing a leakdown and compression check and checking blow by will tell you everything. Oil analysis would help too. Doing a transmission swap would be easier than a rebuild, but check to make sure all the adjustments are correct.

[@dirkkindermann2734]

I think it's worth to try it. If the new fluid is to expensive try to filter the old fluid with a strainer and maybe a coffee filter to gef rid of the most particels. And then give it a try with a new filter for the gearbox. It can't get worse ;-) The old filter so clogged up, that the gear can't build up oilpressure to change gears or to supply the torque converter.

[@5Dale65]

In this case a new filter would help I believe. Seems like it got so clogged the "fluid" wasn't making it's way past it.

[@harryharker9564]

I had a 320 diesel E series and after the oil and filter change it felt like a different car ,but that had only done 165,000 miles.before the change it dragged when you lifted off and was lazy changing after it was very smooth

[@netzwerk-werkstatt332]

Give it a try. Old and dirty oil can cause a lot of problems in atomatic transmissions.

[@skyll4141]

I had a 1984 ford Granada with a crappy auto box, changed fluid and it was fixed. if the oil has gone too thin the hydrologic clutches don't work properly.

[@richardsawtell256]

its normal to have clutch material in the pan after those kms , i pull trans sumps off all the time at work and they are like that and still run good , no transmission is perfectly clean that is why you have a screen or filter and red or brown fluid is normal untill it gets black and burnt

[@blattferenc9647]

You have one or more bad injectors. It knocks when you start moving the "throttle". The injectors are dripping or opening way too soon. The way the engine shakes at idle also supports this theory. You should also adjust the valves. That helps with starting and smoothness.

[@Robert-nz2qw]

My daily is a 606000 km W212 manufactured Dec 2015. Only really problem was I had to bypass the AdBlue system due to that being a piece of piss. Literally.

[@jeremyaustin9103]

New filtee and oil. Theres also an adjustment on the outside of it. Might be called a modulator that sharpens up the shifts

[@SeasideGarage]

yea but the modulator only controlles the shift "feeling"

[@clausessemann2072]

The converter should also could be drained with it’s own drain plug. Vacuum should could be adjusted at the gearbox side

[@user-sh3ju5ho9u]

new filter and oil!

[@WheelchairWonders]

Fluid and filter should improve it considerably in my opinion... (Phil)

[@lennie617]

I have very little first hand experience with automatics. But I have heard people in the know advising against changing the oil, if it is very long overdue. Apparently it can make things worse - like replacing very old clutch fluid with fresh fluid without servicing the cylinders as well.

[@peterriggall8409]

I know without doubt you are going to do a full filter and ATF change. You are just teasing us. 🤣

[@erdeinet]

Mine has 620.000km, runs perfect :)

[@lesklower7281]

720000kms those 300TD Mercedes-Benz engines are very good go fir a long time its a pity the transmission is playing up

[@henkefloda]

I Think you it´s worth a try, buy some oil and filter. i think it will work :)

[@chrisbury4635]

That filter has obviously been a filter far too long and could be restricting the oil supply to the gearbox pump, I'd be changing that and the oil !

[@matthewstephenbrown]

Completely drain the transmission and the torque converter (which holds 3 liters). Make sure the vacuum module has a rubber cap on it and the cap isn't worn otherwise the leak will keep you from shifting past 2000 rpm.

[@davem1980]

Clean it all out with paraffin or carb cleaner and change the oil and filter. It’s going to have particles in it as the filter is rooted. I bet it will go on for a good while

[@blakecable7088]

Give vacuum modulator all the vac, In theory it should run through the years quickly

[@chilleddriving1455]

Put in new fluid and filter, if it doesn't work, drain it and keep it for after the rebuild.

[@MrToxicSkittle]

If you’re looking for a cheap test, run it without the filter to see if it makes a difference! Otherwise, I think it’s definitely worth trying to flush the oil and change the filter. I can feel a MASSIVE difference on my auto mini before and after an oil change, even though I only drive 1-2000km between services!

[@SeasideGarage]

The filter is pretty cheap.. the oil not so much... ;)

[@porsche356a]

As rough as the old girl is, I think she deserves a last trans and filter change. I had a Volvo 850 auto in a similar position and a change of oil livened up the old gearbox and I even got a dramatic increase in mpg. It probably needs 2 or 3 changes to get all the old oil out though.

[@marcellorava6149]

I thing it worth it to try changing fluid and filter! :-)

[@mygius1]

Not an automatic transmission guy BUT. It is THE W123. And you know the all the legends about it. So to me is a no brainer to test that legend. Just swap damn filter and flush oil good and see what happens. If it is not whining now and making crazy sounds, just try.

[@mygius1]

Okey this is already answered, didn't check date. Big sed that didn't help

[@bobalong131]

Definitely think it's worth the filter and oil, if it wasn't slipping the filter and oil could do wonders. Cleaning up the valve body could help a bunch too but can be intimidating. Sometimes you can find an oil passage for each clutch pack and blow air through it, if any of them has much less resistance to flow then you may have clutch issues.

[@SeasideGarage]

Slipping a lot though...

[@bobalong131]

@@SeasideGarage hopefully the pressure was being brought down by that crappy filter. But if it was slipping a lot the clutches may be too far gone. I’d still try myself but I know that it’s a dilemma. Maybe if you have another automatic car you can service its transmission and use the old oil in the Mercedes just to test it out? It’d be better than what you have now and you wouldn’t be wasting anything but the filter

[@paulwootton5378]

My uneducated guess would be that the carpet is getting in the way of the kick down button...maybe?

[@grayfool]

It has to be better with new fluid. Unless you can get hold of a known good gearbox, what other choice for you have?

[@christophermarshall5765]

Drain the torque converter!! Add new filter & fluid. It will hold close to 8 litres.

[@davidg2073]

Go for the oil and filter.

[@peterjanvanbijnen226]

The w 123 is designed to run an million km , but i would change al oils frequently oil is cheap engines are expensive

[@peka4036]

Put in new fluid and filter , try it and maybe it is easier to find a manual gearbox, when not working...

[@thomaswojahn]

Kent has a kit for this 😅

[@Mad_Skill_Garage]

Nyt filter og ålje! Og masser af kærlighed, så er den der! 😂

[@SeasideGarage]

JA!

[@raitshots]

😎👍💯🤙

[@maxboonkittypoison]

clean it really well and put new atf and filter in :)

[@SeasideGarage]

I think I will forever regret it if I dont try!

[@maxboonkittypoison]

I think so too :D i wil be sending you an email soon about the barnfind we talked about.

[@SeasideGarage]

@@maxboonkittypoison Uuuuuh! :D

[@maxboonkittypoison]

yessss hahahahah @@SeasideGarage

[@gerardmeijwaard7251]

Nice episode again. You mentioned it's a turbo diesel, then it should be named TDT. But is it, is there a turbo?

[@SeasideGarage]

There is a T :)

[@derekshort1451]

Definitely worth changing the oil and filter the difference can be remarkable, mercedes auto boxes last forever

[@SeasideGarage]

... lets see if forever is over on this one...

[@henktulp4400]

The engine doesn’t run evenly on all cilinders..... many times this will be caused by uneven compression.... adjusting the valves (special tools needed) can (sometimes) fix this.

[@cagr4249]

Would be great to get a short feedback about the car-lift (brand, model?) and if your are satisfied with it! Thanks!

[@SeasideGarage]

Ravigioli! cant remember the model name... Very satisfied.. its a great lift with a great mechanical lock system that I feel safe using

[@theotherchannel2279]

Rather than putting in a spare one. Would it be possible to put in a better gearbox. With more gears making it more suitable for longer journeys?

[@theotherchannel2279]

If it works with the new filter I would give it a go... It could save you money.

[@reiisthebestgirl]

I'd get 20 litre can of suitable ATF and give transmission a flush and fresh filter. It's a gamble but so is buying 40-something year old used transmission.

[@peterriggall8409]

‘Suitable’ ATF is the key word here. Old transmissions don’t like the modern fluid. I use Classic Castrol TQF. No doubt other brands have fluid suitable for older transmissions.

[@porfious55]

You know you want to..........😊

[@SeasideGarage]

I do!

[@porfious55]

😊

[@clausclausie7560]

Jeg havde en C320 sportcoupe fra 04 som af og til satte sig fast i et gear. Det løste sig ved at slukke og tænde den. Men en dag sad den fast i 2. og ville ikke ud igen. Jeg havde flere gange i årenes løb fået den skyllet, men det var en ny styreenhed der skulle til. Så var alle problemer løst.

[@whitemonkey7932]

The cables out of the box can leak oil back to the gearbox ecu

[@howardsportugal]

Hi! I am sure others will have said it's a W123

[@SeasideGarage]

Nope, it a s123

[@howardsportugal]

@@SeasideGarage interesting. All merc cars start with the W prefix. If it's an S class then it's not a 123. Great vid - this detail is not a criricism. Best to you!

[@SeasideGarage]

Pretty sure s123 is for stationcar :) at least according to Google . Could be wrong of course !

[@howardsportugal]

@@SeasideGarage the estate cars were designated T...so 230TE or whatever for Touring

[@johnmcdonnell81]

You've really no choice but to try fresh fluid and filter.

[@NenadTrajkovic]

It is not an ideal choice for winter if there is snow and if it is a diesel. I had a 124 250d and when my children were small, we were often late due to the long preheating of the diesel engine, difficult start and it is difficult to drive the rear drive with that weight in the snow even with excellent winter tires.And they ars rust buckets! You can drive an old car and be stingy, pour that oil into the gearbox!

[@SeasideGarage]

we have very mild winters in denmark for the last 10-15 years... maybe max 5 days with snow and not that cold either... With functioning glow plugs it will be fine :) and a DRIFT KING! if snow arrives!

[@twocvbloke]

Looks like the transmission needs a good flushing out, that's some pretty nasty looking oil, so, I'd say a flush, filter and fresh oil, after all, if it's terminally worn out, it's probably going to be expensive whether or not you try cleaning it out...

[@SeasideGarage]

I dont dare a flush... to begin with at least... but if a change does not help I might!

[@hyphest]

Try new filter

[@enchantress7940]

Renew the oil and filter

[@MrMichaelfalk]

Selvom jeg kan lide en klassisk Mercedes som alle andre normale mennesker, vil jeg nok foretrække den fine Escort i det her tilfælde 😀

[@SeasideGarage]

Hehe... det ville være det fornuftige valg! men tror altså den ville komme til at kede mig for hurtigt... den virkede jo!

[@mnp3713]

the diesel leak is likely the cause of your misfiring cylinder

[@SeasideGarage]

no misfire on this one :)

[@mnp3713]

@@SeasideGarage Ahh got that wrong then ;) its amazing how these old diesel sometimes run fine with a lot of leaks in the fuel system. My T4 have had a lot of fuel leaks because i have made a 2 tank system so i can run it on waste cooking oil it runs fine almost drinking foam oil, but our old 300D w124 6cyl 24valve it misfired when we had a fuel leak, and the leak was almost an engine out job

[@whitemonkey7932]

​@@SeasideGaragebut she does have a diesel knock when cold....run some cheap.ATF.with the fuel for a while.

[@darrenwilson8042]

change filter and fluid - not as big a pain in the bum than a whole box - nothing ventured nothing gained

[@johndahl6651]

Hvis det var mig havde jeg enten forsøgt at skylle den igennem med noget billig olie et par gange eller sætte nyt filter i og ny olie og køre en vinter og se om der skulle komme en ny gearkasse til penge der er til at betale...vi havde en mercedes limousine i nexø taxa 300d den havde kørt 900000 da den blev solgt ..motoren var aldrig skilt ad om gearkasse var ved jeg ikke..

[@SeasideGarage]

jeg prøver... men tror ikke rigtig på det... men prøves skal det!

[@johndahl6651]

@@SeasideGarage nu ved jeg ikke hvor stærk den gamle gearkasse er i forhold til den nyere model i nexø taxa havde vi 2 styk Vito modeller den ene var 6 cylinder model 120 cdi den kørte ikke meget over 200000 på en gearkasse vores 4 cylinder 115 cdi holdt lidt bedre ..men god fornøjelse med din mercer jeg tror nu også din gearkasse er udslidt men spændende at høre om du får den til at køre igen..

[@nickolaswilliams935]

You can’t compression test a cylinder with the glow plug removed😂

[@SeasideGarage]

well... how would you do it then without removing injectors?

[@nickolaswilliams935]

@@SeasideGarage I said glow plug, not injector. You said in the video you removed ALL the glow plugs, so how did you expect to get a good compression test with a gaping hole in the cylinder? You should have reinstalled the glow plug in the cylinder you were testing, then it would have sealed and given you a valid result.

[@SeasideGarage]

@@nickolaswilliams935 I am using the glow plug hole to hook up to my compression gauge.. ;)

[@swan83]

Forurener sådan en bil ikke helt forfærdeligt meget?

[@chilleddriving1455]

Mindre end de 6 000 tons beton der skal til for at holde en enkelt vindmølle ankret.

[@SeasideGarage]

Den er nok ikke helt ren i udstødningen, men ikke værre end alle mulig andre biler fra den tid... dog er diesel værre for os mennesker... så de er ikke så smarte i byerne. Men total regnskabet med denne bil som er produceret i 1982 og kørt 720.000 km må alt andet lige være bedre end en masse nye biler... selve produktionen af nye biler er ret miljø tung. Derudover køre jeg virkelig ikke meget... :)

[@DumpoDeluxe]

Som daily driver this winter havde det været så meget nemmere ned den Ford Escort. Istedet for en udkørt 40 år gammel Mercedes. "Til en pris oven i ford escort" Held og lykke. Tror ærglig talt mest på Mercedes son vinterbil i 2024.

[@SeasideGarage]

Det var ikke det mest fornuftige valg... Men jeg kan godt lide en udfordring... Men vil ikke afvise at du får ret! ;)

[@Metalmassacre07]

Den bilen der er rusten :)

[@SeasideGarage]

SILENCE!