I can't seem to find a specific thread about using a transmission shop to change my fluid so I'll ask.

Has anyone gone to a shop to have their fluid flushed and changed or is the consensus they will destroy the car?

 

If the shop is a good Merc trans shop, then it will be fine. Jeff, you've done enough of your own work that this job would be a breeze.

What's stopping you?

 

Definitely prefer to do the fluids myself mostly so I can monitor their condition and use the performance fluids that I feel comfortable with (and can get cheaper than what a shop would charge). YMMV.

 

I don't know. Automatic transmissions seem about 50% magic and 50% technology to me. I understand solid moving parts very well. Fluids and hydraulics are more of mystery to me.

 

I have a story from long ago, and from a galaxy far far away.

I used Devek 10 years ago to change the trans fluid in an 81 auto. They couldn't get the fluid to go in the prescribed way for a few hours, and decided to charge me for every hour the idiot there attempted to do so on the lift. There is a procedure to make sure the fluid goes in and circulates properly. Pardon me, I do not know it off hand.

If they had an issue, what is paco going to do at the corner pep-screw-pop place?

 

Jeff, it's real easy, just one of the more messy jobs you will do.

Should take you an hour and you won't be doing anything inside except taking out 3 screws, pulling off the filter and doing the reverse.

 

Porsche mechanics hardly know 928s so who else would you trust?

Changing the tranny fluid and filter is not that bad other than getting the fluid in is a pain but very doable especially if you can access to a hoist for an hour or so.....just do it Jeff

 

A buddy of mine said that, on higher mileage auto transmissions, you are better off just topping it off and not doing a flush and change. The reason is that as the friction plates wear the friction material goes into the fluid. So you can have badly worn plates that are still hooking up because of the friction material in the fluid, and when you change the fluid you get slipping. Seemed a little odd to me, but apparently there was a big lawsuit against AAMCO because they were doing flushe and fluid changes on everyone's transmissions, knowing that this would force a rebuild. Also backed up by the fact that when I went to the local tranny shop asking for a flush and fluid change they said they would do it, but they wanted me to sign a huge waiver form stating that I understood that this service might make the tranny start slipping. So, anyway, depending on your mileage, you might want to think about just topping it up.

 

This applies to Chevy/Ford trans, hence the reason my 170k Silverado has never had a change. In our Merc boxes, if you have ****ty fluid in it, it performs worse. I've encountered the same in BMW's too.

That's why in most cases when there is a problem, it clears up with new fluid.

 

I took mine to the local auto specialist who also happened to know MB transmissions well. Main reason was to fix a leak from a side cover. I had replaced the pan gasket, filter & fluid my self a month earlier but the leak was not fixed.

I was glad I did because the new pan gasket I was supplied by one of the big 3 was of the old, less reliable, style and had split already.

I have had no leaks now for4 years. Sometimes it pays to get a professional to look at things.

I will be changing my fluid myself next time though.

Myles

 

Part, a big part actually, of doing the regular services myself is the ability to look at stuff in the area and see what's going on and might need attention. Gives me a chance to fix problems before they get big and expensive.

 

I am not sure exactly how much fluid you can get out of a 928, it is a higher % than most other cars due to the converter drain.

It still is not going to replace all the fluid, that is where a flush machine comes in, I do it in all my cars.

 

not a bad job at all .at least they give you a drain plug unlike american cars where you have to drop one side of the pan to drain fluid.hardest part is refilling and checking the level.buy a gallon pump and a 6 foot hose for it.just under 2 gallons for filter change.10 quarts for complete drain.

 

Local auto specialist says that you should change every 20,000km.
Every gear change has a tiny slip that burns the fluid, so eventually its not doing its job.
The new cars, like our X5 are mean't to be sealed for life, which is about 3 years!
When i changed to Castrol tranzmax Z we filled it, ran the car for a few minutes threw away the new fluid and refilled. $! but $ well spent.

 

Okay. I'll change it. I'll have to search for the correct fluid. Can't remember off the top of my head unless someone wants to throw it in here. The PO had a new transmission installed about 6-8 years ago and I can't recall seeing and fluid changes on my paperwork. Greg Brown put the transmission in and he did the maintenance of the car so I am betting it was done at least a few times. At least I know the transmission was put in to perfection with him doing it.