Mercedes-Benz S123 300TD | Is an oil change enough to save a transmission after 720.000km?

I got plans to use this as a Daily winter car!
But the car got plans to retire?
I want to revive this 722.315 transmission, at least for a couple of months... but is it possible?
#mercedesbenz #s123 #automatictransmission
Seaside Garage is sponsored by SKIL
www.skileurope...
If you want to support me and the projects head to my Patreon here:
Patreon: / seasidegarage
If you want to contact me then head to my Instagram here:
Instagram: / seasidegarageyt

[@twocvbloke]

Having a quick look at the numbers for what amount of oil is needed, there seems to be a figure of 8 litres for a pan, filter & torque converter drain, so could be that 6 litres is not quite enough and is potentially causing airlocks or cavitation or something inside making it slip and do crazy things, but this is just guesswork, auto boxes are too complicated for my brain, manual transmissions are where the fun is at... :P

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

Can't say it wasn't expected sadly. I think a manual swap might be easier, more available, and more durable too. I also think it should be a pretty simple swap, just need a pedal assembly and clutch mechanism.

[@delukxy]

As a non owning fan of the 300d I have for a long time been a follower of Kent at the YT channel Mercedessource. His videos on the engine and gearbox for these cars have always been enlightening. Some of the gearbox diagnostic ones could be helpful even though you seem positive that the box is worn out. Alongside this video there was one about fine tuning the change with a variable vacuum adjuster. Clever stuff. He also has a 120 page manual covering everything about the gearbox and its problems. Is this gearbox specific to the 300D or interchangeable with other 123 autoboxes? Last weekend I went to a show and on the MB owners club stand was a 123 230E saloon with only 22,000 miles. Very nice!

[@stevezanatta8878]

Maybe you can put a manual transmission in it I think they came with them might have a better luck finding that transmission

[@SeasideGarage]

I like the auto... but it is a possibility!.. .but also not a simple swap I guess

[@peterriggall8409]

I guess it is going to be difficult to get another trans. manual or auto. as whatever you buy is probably going to be worn out.

[@perolsen3813]

Det var min drømme bil da jeg var helt ung. Mine penge rakte kun til en 4 cyl 220D. Min bedste ven havde den 5 cyl den var som en raket. Tak for endnu en god video.

[@grayfool]

Oh well, it had to be worth a try. It may be worth checking the vacumn hoses too. The gearbox relies on them for proper operation. Again, worth a look before you throw the gearbox away or strip it down.

[@SeasideGarage]

Yea Its part of the issue but I dont think it will explain the heavy slipping and flaring

[@Kris-bl8zp]

@@SeasideGarage vacuum lines can 100% prevent your car from shifting

[@LegacySteve50]

+1 for mercedessource videos esp 1978 to 1985 Mercedes Diesel Transmission Shift Problems: Suspect the Vacuum Control Valve , also check the kick down switch isnt stuck on, check all your vacum lines for splits breaks ect . My backgound W201 years ago & the belief that if someone built it it can be fixed and improved. Good hunting for a simple fix on your W123.

[@MrByrneyboy]

Great videos. And I love the views of Denmark❤

[@elgorka5103]

Buying any Merc 123 especially for winter daily....first thing is to assess the rust. After that all the rest. It's even a basic rule in case W124 nowadays. Wishing the best to this case.

[@NaoPb]

It could also do with some new engine mounts. It'll give much comfort while riding.

[@marcellorava6149]

worth a try seppo. I hope you can find a gearbox fast and as cheaply as possibile, This is a nice car, and you are "his" best chance to shine again!

[@jasonbusch3624]

Try putting 6oz of Motorkote in the transmission fluid I have fixed many transmissions and engines with noise or oil consumption problems in 30+ years of using it. You usually see engines get quieter in less than 10 miles. Transmissions will shift smoother. I had a transmission that was slipping in 1st gear and you had to take off easy till it hit 2nd then you could get on it. Put in the Motorkote and went less than 2 miles and it was fixed. Had been driven 30,000 miles with it slipping. It's worth a shot.

[@robpeabo509]

If you were desperate to save the fluid, you could run it through coffee paper filters. The new transmission filter will be junk though. I guess it depends on how desperate and how much the fluid costs. I myself would not reuse it.

[@SeasideGarage]

I wont reuse it! It was a gamble that did not pay off :)

[@saramalou9649]

coffee filters have big hole in the end of it, dont do that. Buy real 5micron or 1 micron bag filters and THEN you drive these old mercs on used oil. FREE BROOM

[@robpeabo509]

@@saramalou9649 There are coffee filter papers that do not have holes in them. Like I said, you would have to be desperate, and I wouldn’t do it.

[@Parknest]

Somebody has mentioned that there might not be enough fluid in the transmission. Did you run through all the selector positions when you first started it up. Also, you might need to check the fluid level once it is at operating temperature. Some transmissions have marking for checking the fluid level when hot or cold. This might be an obvious thing to ask but did you check the level with the engine running? If the fluid level is fine it could be something as simple as clogged valves. It might be worth dropping the valve block first and giving it a good clean before you remove and tear down the transmission. The colour of the old fluid could point to worn clutch packs and/or brake bands. Did you do the smell test? A burnt smell is indicative of worn clutch packs. I'm sure it would be possible to rebuild the transmission. They're not too complicated provided you're organized and cleanliness is vital.

[@BilklubbenPodcast]

did you check the vacuum system Seppo !! mine was leaking in the 300 and it affected the gear aswell the vacuum goes everywhere - NP

[@SeasideGarage]

Vacuum is not perfect. but it is there.. I would not imagine all this flaring and slipping coming from that.. Its more the smoothness of the shifts (AFAIK) :)

[@alwaysfixingsomething2855]

So have you gone through the vacuum modulator , and or bowden cable adjustments for the transmission? I've owned many of these over the years, I try to adjust them for a bit firmer of a shift. Try playing around with the cable adjustments. A little goes a long way.. Since it has issues with the shifts, Id bet its an adjustment somewhere. Dont give up yet!

[@netzwerk-werkstatt332]

Its sad, but it was worth a try.

[@theobster]

I’m not sure how happy I’d be under a heavy Merc just supported by that lift, I’d probably weld up some stands for either end to take some of the weight off it? Awsome lift though👍🏼 You can’t beat an old Mercedes, I have a 320000mile 190e 1.8, apart from sloppiness in the diff she still runs like a watch. She’s a manual gearbox but Mercedes recommend using ATF in that too.

[@matthewshambler2644]

If this gearbox is indeed shot I would take a gamble on a bottle or two of those “magic snake oil” transmission fixes or even a serious flush.. what’s the worst that could happen?

[@jabbejokker]

You are the danish HubNut:)

[@KompressorPete]

Maybe try to put even more Oil in? My Rover V8 Auto began to slip because of a leaking Oil hose and after filling it up several times it runs ok now. When Oil goes to the cooler it may run out of Oil in the casing/converter? Worth a try?

[@MS940]

Planet gear set are connected with hydraulic controlled multi disk clutches. Those surfaces have been grinded to none and burned when slipping. If had time and find overhaul kit with disks tolerable price, rebuild could be option.

[@Andy-sh9eq]

If you end up changing the gearbox have you thought about putting in a manual its a bolt in job including the clutch pedal if i remember right it will fit onto the existing pedal bracket

[@sween187]

You could also try to convert to a different transmission, like convert to manual. Bit if work but there should be lots of manual transmissions available

[@fabiomartinho8059]

stop saying put manual transmission thats stupid The interesting thing about this type of cars full of miles is put to work things that are broken. You may have satisfaction of replace stuff and make the car work I dont. I have w124 and bought it with cluster and speedo not working, i manage to repair it more than 10 times, even using sewing thread on the numbers to make them work and spin. Yes i had to open it alot of times but the joy of seeing it working after a repair is just gem. The satisfaction of make it work with the old tools and stupid items are the feeling we are looking for.

[@robertnilsson4775]

Should'nt the torque converter be filled separatly or is there no way to do that? Did you check the oil level?

[@Gianmarco750]

I'm sorry it didn't work. But to solve problems, you must always start from the easiest and least expensive things. You did great anyway. Don't be discouraged, an automatic transmission, used and working, will happen! Greetings from Italy

[@dDoOyYoOuUtTuUbBeE]

Is this the story of damaged or leaking vacuum lines in Mercedes cars, in the engine bay, used to control the automatic gearbox?

[@j14phe]

The atf should be ok if drained and filtered it's not going to be that bad the integrity of the fluid won't be compromised John

[@kevinnye5132]

Wow would hate to play Poker with you 😂 Cincinnati kid eat your heart out 😁, really thought you were going to have good news on it ☹️, hope you find used one on one of those trees 🌲👌🏻.

[@joaogeada2494]

Have you considered a swap for a manual transmission? Dont know how hard it is to do that but i do know that theres many nplate adapters for this purpose and for the w123 theres probably more manual boxes around than automatic...just a thought

[@Kevin-kk2rx]

Manual swap isn’t to difficult on these cars. I swapped my w115 240d. I bought a parts car 220d that I harvested all the parts from. I think the parts are mostly interchangeable any trans from a w115 or 123 diesel should bolt up. You’ll need to get a petal assembly, clutch,flywheel , crossmember, and driveshaft(the auto trans is longer). There is not much wiring just a neutral safety and reverse light switch.

[@fredrikoscar4741]

Don´t be surprised when he gearbox works if you give if a little time and some more oil....

[@alvydasjokubauskas2587]

Basically gear box is worn out, all the old oil had chunks of metal that actually helped with worn gearbox, now when you changed it it kind of flushed all the metal bits out and now there is no friction there left. Solution - learn to fix the gearbox by changing either those disks inside or gearbox itself.

[@SeasideGarage]

I think you are completely right!

[@CsPri3st]

for the internet just change valvebody and oil so we can sattle it ones and for all

[@BillyBob-uc9zp]

What happened to the 18cc 2 stroke diesel please? 😎

[@doktoruzo]

Ja, desværre hænger de heller ikke på træerne her. Worth a try though with the new ATF. Best of luck with it going forward.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Some Honda cars have external filters much like EFI filters that can be inserted in the lines from the transmission to the cooler in the bottom of the radiator. e.g Honda Fit with 4 speed auto trans .....( not CVT.) They are far better (finer) filters than the normal rock catchers in the bottom of the auto pan....

[@henkefloda]

that´s to bad :( i think i rebuild is really hard but maby the valve for the third gear it stuck or bad. i would try to check that first. then seek for a new gearbox.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

This gearbox is a fan of The Rembrandts.

[@johnboy384]

Poker face 😆😅🤣😂, awesome!

[@dimanest8952]

what car lift are you using thank ?

[@derekshort1451]

Well that was disappointing hopefully a solution will appear

[@johnshaw4140]

Surely , because you are in Denmark , a gearbox must be available to find in Germany somewhere which isn't so far from you

[@SeasideGarage]

Yea.. but no! they are apparently not that easy to find

[@davem1980]

I don’t think you went far enough. Far too much crap still in there. It probably would be better rebuilt but it’s not a fair test with what you’ve done there. I’d love to see the state of the new filter now

[@ckdk88]

Hej, Har du justeret bowden kablet rigtigt? Er der vacum ved gearkassen, for den er styret af vaccum?

[@SeasideGarage]

Bowden kablet er justeret korrekt... Og det kan bevæge sig. Vakum er der, men det er ikke perfekt.. Men så vidt jeg forstår vil vakummet blot gøre skiftet mere behagelige... hvis man afkobler vakuumet vil den stadig skifte... bare meget meget hårdt. og det gør den ikke

[@ckdk88]

Du har nok ret, det er flere år siden jeg har arbejdet på w123, men på en w124 skal der være vaccum for at den vil skifte. Det er os muligt med den olie du tappede af og de km at det er tryk kontrol ventilen der er slidt, den vil og gøre det.

[@derekmillar318]

Brake bands burnt out needs major work

[@kevfit4333]

You would be talking €400-600 for a replacement box, and as you say hard to find. Have you considered a 5speed conversion?

[@blattferenc9647]

5 speed manauls for W123 diesel are way harder to find, than 4 speed automatics. 4 speed manual is the most abundant version.

[@WheelchairWonders]

Oh dear... I'm really disappointed... I thought it might have helped but I was wrong... (Phil)

[@lesklower7281]

A process of ilimination at least you know whats wrong l don't understand automatic transmission or manual transmissions to me they are mechanical magic but as long as they work properly

[@DeanofMachines]

Poor old greasy Benz is just a little tired. If only shipping from the states was cheaper.

[@bobalong131]

Might as well try some snake oil in it now 🤷‍♂️

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi , so sorry I gave you incorrect advice, but you know now for sure.

[@carstenpedersen3200]

NK biler i Svendborg er ret skarpe til at renovere gearkasser. 😉

[@rimmersbryggeri]

I would probably repeat the operation after 5000Km if it statrs shifting.

[@Hvitserk67]

Med hensyn til reparation af en automatgearkasse er dette ikke nødvendigvis en uoverkommelig opgave for en amatør. Sreten som har KZbin-kanalen M539 Restorations viste os hvordan man gør dette på en BMW X5 (E70) med V8-motor. Dette er en moderne automatgearkasse, men jeg vil mene, at princippet er nogenlunde det samme. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXrOdqOFYqyYlaM

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Good try.

[@peterriggall8409]

Might be time to retire the old girll. ?????? Maybe make it a parts car. Sad but she has done sterling service.

[@BigPotatoChill]

*an oil change