[R129 SL] RE: R129LIST Digest, Vol 14, Issue 1 oil change
Jan Kuylaars
jan at rian-bv.nl
Mon Jan 9 08:31:26 EST 2006
The only thing I know, is that when you change oil from your gearbox, do
it by the wright dealer and use the wright oil.
Most of the faults are that the changed oil is the wrong version, or
there become some dirth from outside in the gear box.
That is the reason why there is no dipstick anymore. In the past some
owners use a cloth to dryup the dipstick, and the little hairs what came
into the gearbox was enough to destroy it.
Then you must measure it with warm and running motor. The most do this
with a cold and not running motor.
Too much oil in the gear box will destroy the sealings.
So my advise is to let it do by an expert mechanic.
Better old good oil than new wrong oil with hair.
Jan the Flying Dutchman 500SL red
-----Original Message-----
From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of
r129list-request at mbcoupes.com
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 1:51 PM
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Subject: R129LIST Digest, Vol 14, Issue 1
Send R129LIST mailing list submissions to
r129list at mbcoupes.com
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/r129list
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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You can reach the person managing the list at
r129list-owner at mbcoupes.com
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than
"Re: Contents of R129LIST digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. RE: New to the 129 (John Kirkman)
2. Re: New to the 129 (MBKindOfGuy)
3. Transmission oil changes (SamShentonTan at aol.com)
4. Re: Transmission oil changes (George Jenner)
5. RE: R129LIST Digest, DVD MB USA (Jan Kuylaars)
6. 129 Data Disks (Alvamike at aol.com)
7. carribian salt (Jan Kuylaars)
8. RE: carribian salt (Roger Kalloo)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 18:01:45 -0600
From: "John Kirkman" <jdkirkk at earthlink.net>
Subject: RE: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "'SL Mailing List'" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <E1Es7iQ-0004rF-Bj at smtpauth06.mail.atl.earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
It is my understanding that most, maybe all, late model MB five-speed
automatic transmissions require their oil to be changed every 30,000
miles. If in doubt contact MBUSA @(800)367-6372, or write them at:
Customer Assistance Center, Mercedes-Benz of North America, One Mercedes
Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Some dealers are knowledgeable and
helpful, and some are not. You might consider a search for a competent
independent shop since your car (and
mine!) is "old" and not of particular interest to some of the dealers or
their mechanics. Clean oil is cheap maintenance. ;-) John Kirkman 1996
SL600 33,800k
-----Original Message-----
From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of George Jenner
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 8:42 AM
To: satish at tummala.net; SL Mailing List
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
I read your message on transmission oil changes with great interest.
Where
did the information on changing the transmission oil come from?? When I
asked my MB dealer in Greensboro, NC he said that the transmission is
sealed
and the oil never has to be changed. I got the impression that he had
never
changed the oil on a sealed transmission as part of routine maintenance.
I
am driving a 1996 SL500 and I suspect the oil has never been changed in
78,000 miles.
Happy Motoring, George
The MB Coupes Website!
R129 SL Mailing List
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 19:20:32 -0500
From: "MBKindOfGuy" <MBKindOfGuy at mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: <jdkirkk at earthlink.net>, "SL Mailing List"
<r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <003d01c60cd6$db96ddf0$a501a8c0 at ABCDPORT1>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Well said John!
BTW, I ordered the tranny fluid on-line and it was about $8.50 per
liter.
Got here pretty fast too, and no tax or shipping charges were incurred.
This is the OE MB fluid, with their label, p/n etc. on each bottle.
Regards,
Howard M. Ginsberg
1998 SL500, 51KMiles
1993 300E, 110KMiles
1988 300E (Sold at 162KMiles)
1986 300E (Sold at 180KMiles)
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Kirkman" <jdkirkk at earthlink.net>
To: "'SL Mailing List'" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 7:01 PM
Subject: RE: [R129 SL] New to the 129
> It is my understanding that most, maybe all, late model MB five-speed
> automatic transmissions require their oil to be changed every 30,000
> miles. If in doubt contact MBUSA @(800)367-6372, or write them at:
> Customer Assistance Center, Mercedes-Benz of North America, One
> Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
> Some dealers are knowledgeable and helpful, and some are not. You
might
> consider a search for a competent independent shop since your car (and
> mine!) is "old" and not of particular interest to some of the dealers
or
> their mechanics.
> Clean oil is cheap maintenance. ;-)
> John Kirkman
> 1996 SL600
> 33,800k
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
> [mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
> On Behalf Of George Jenner
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 8:42 AM
> To: satish at tummala.net; SL Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
>
> I read your message on transmission oil changes with great interest.
> Where
> did the information on changing the transmission oil come from?? When
I
> asked my MB dealer in Greensboro, NC he said that the transmission is
> sealed
>
> and the oil never has to be changed. I got the impression that he had
> never
>
> changed the oil on a sealed transmission as part of routine
> maintenance.
> I
> am driving a 1996 SL500 and I suspect the oil has never been changed
in
> 78,000 miles.
>
> Happy Motoring, George
>
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
>
>
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 04:19:39 EST
From: SamShentonTan at aol.com
Subject: [R129 SL] Transmission oil changes
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Message-ID: <1e5.4a6db43b.30e655ab at aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi All
Just to add to the oil change debate........
I run a C250 Turbodiesel Estate as an everyday dog carrier and was told
on
many occasions by my dealer that the gearbox oil did not need changing
as it
was a sealed unit.... I have since discovered this to be total
nonsense, much
to my cost! The gearbox self distructed for no apparent reason due to
the
needle bearing on the planetary gear set falling apart. Apparently this
is a very
common problem on Mercedes cars with the later 5 speed 'electronic'
type
gearboxes. Having spoken to many gearbox specialists, they have all
confirmed
this to me saying the cause for this problem is the cramming of more
components
into a smaller space.... something has to give I guess!
All I will say to you all is.... have the oil changed as frequently as
you
see fit, from now on (1 totally rebuilt gearbox later) I will be
changing the
oil at least every 20k miles, its cheaper than a new gearset... believe
me!
Happy New Year to all... hope the year to come is a happy motoring one.
Sam Shenton-Tan
UK
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 10:06:56 -0500
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Transmission oil changes
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <001601c60d52$ad810130$3562bf41 at georgew8ajnwdz>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Sam, first hand experience such as yours is critical to a debate, such
as this, where there is so many differing viewpoints both from the
manufacturer and from drivers. To me, it matters little that my SL500
is considered old by the dealer, I continue to drive the car that I
always wanted as if it just rolled off the assembly line yesterday.
Keeping my SL in first class condition just makes sense to me. In my
life I have owned and driven the following cars all purchased on the
used car market: 1960 Austin Healey 3000, 1962 Corvette roadster -
340hp 327cu. in., 1965 Corvette Coupe - 365hp -327 cu. in., another 1965
and a 1966 Corvette Coupe (the 1966 was a concourse car completely
rebuilt by myself) this car was shown in concourse events in East Coast
cities and featured in Corvette Quarterly Magazine in the 1970's. But
having owned, worked on and driven well, all of those very fine machines
I still believe I now drive the one of the ultimate in world class
personal luxur
y sports cars today.
Thanks for your input, George Jenner
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 11:28:32 +0100
From: "Jan Kuylaars" <jan at rian-bv.nl>
Subject: [R129 SL] RE: R129LIST Digest, DVD MB USA
To: <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <007301c60f87$499ff860$1b01a8c0 at techniek>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Some people asked me for the MB DVD with technical info.
I have it now working without problems, but you need always's the dvd
and the special delivered arcobat 5.0 reader,
Beacuse the files are protected with passwords.
I did not send it for different reasons, and one off them is that i
already have 5 persons who are interrested.
So when i must make different copy's and send it allover the world with
costs, i cannot do this for free.
So I am willing to send a dvd from MB usa to one person, with the
agreement that this person makes a copy and send it to a other person of
the list who is interrested.
The first who asked me was the guy from trinidad with softtop problems,
so let me know if you want to do so, and i send the dvd this week.
-----Original Message-----
From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of
r129list-request at mbcoupes.com
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 12:35 AM
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Subject: R129LIST Digest, Vol 13, Issue 6
Send R129LIST mailing list submissions to
r129list at mbcoupes.com
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/r129list
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
r129list-request at mbcoupes.com
You can reach the person managing the list at
r129list-owner at mbcoupes.com
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than
"Re: Contents of R129LIST digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. RE: Detailing the engine (charles at tourdex.com.au)
2. RE: Hard ride (Ralph Foster)
3. New to the 129 (MBKindOfGuy)
4. Re: New to the 129 (Satish Tummala, MD)
5. Re: New to the 129 (Deneal Schilmeister (iMac))
6. Re: New to the 129 (George Jenner)
7. Re: New to the 129 (MBKindOfGuy)
8. Re: New to the 129 (MBKindOfGuy)
9. Re: New to the 129 (George Jenner)
10. Re: New to the 129 (George Jenner)
11. Re: New to the 129 (MBKindOfGuy)
12. Re: New to the 129 (George Jenner)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 23:04:45 +1000
From: <charles at tourdex.com.au>
Subject: RE: [R129 SL] Detailing the engine
To: "'SL Mailing List'" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>,
<jdkirkk at earthlink.net>, "'SL Mailing List'"
<r129list at mbcoupes.com>,
<vrlopez254 at yahoo.com>
Message-ID:
<!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAAK/LAarCP3VArOBqIcc4XsjCgAAAEAAAAO6OWgxKwYBKrdGn
g5OAlT0BAAAAAA==@tourdex.com.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Use magic wash for porsches. No flammables in engine area.
www.carmagic.com.au <http://www.carmagic.com.au/>
>From Charles
_____
From: Victor R. Lopez [mailto:vrlopez254 at yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, 16 December 2005 2:53 PM
To: jdkirkk at earthlink.net; SL Mailing List
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Detailing the engine
I use Mothers detail spray works great
John Kirkman <jdkirkk at earthlink.net> wrote:
Anyone have suggestions for a good product/procedure to detail the
engine in an SL? Mine is more like dusty than dirty, and I'm not into a
concours level effort, but just something to keep it looking clean and
almost new under the hood.
John Kirkman
'96 SL600
Munster, IN, USA
The MB Coupes Website!
R129 SL Mailing List
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 07:27:26 -0800
From: "Ralph Foster" <ralph.foster at cox.net>
Subject: RE: [R129 SL] Hard ride
To: <jdkirkk at earthlink.net>, "'SL Mailing List'"
<r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <007f01c60643$0c434af0$8f7ba8c0 at ralphf01>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Where did you order your CD-Rom I have a 1997 SL and would like to get
this
Thanks,
Ralph Foster
-----Original Message-----
From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of John Kirkman
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 6:28 AM
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Subject: [R129 SL] Hard ride
My '96 SL600 (I'm a new owner) has a (1) hard ride and (2) hip-hop
motion longitudinally like the shocks are not working. The car only has
35K so the shocks are fine; the problem is almost certainly in the air
ride feature of the suspension. I had a similar feature on a BMW M6 and
it was troublesome. I have ordered the MB CD-ROM for this car but it has
not yet arrived. I would like to have some input before I take it to a
shop for repair. Thank you. John Kirkman
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 11:33:05 -0500
From: "MBKindOfGuy" <MBKindOfGuy at mindspring.com>
Subject: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <000a01c60970$e214f810$a701a8c0 at ABCDPORT1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello listers...
We are new to the world of the 129, recently purchasing a beautiful 1998
SL500. It took us a year of searching, be we finally found "the" one we
had been looking for. It's white with a grey interior. Panoramic roof.
Heated seats. ASR, but no ESP. On a 1-10 scale, easily a 9.5. Came
with records, and always dealer serviced. Perfect CarFax (assuming it's
accurate, which isn't always the case). Patience paid off, and we are
still grinning about our finding this one.
I've been doing my own maintenace to three different 300E's we've owned
since 1986. Now it's time for me to learn about the SL500.
While the new car has but 51,000 miles, I'm looking and learning about
it's servicing, in preparation for doing a 60,000 mile fluid and filter
service. I probably already know the answer to this, but thought I'd
ask anyways. Is it a must to use the MB specific transmission fluid?
I'm not opposed to it, or the price, but wanted to know if there was an
equivalent or better option?
Looking forward to a few years more fun in this great machine.
Regards,
Howard M. Ginsberg
1998 SL500, 51KMiles
1993 300E, 110KMiles
1988 300E (Sold at 162KMiles)
1986 300E (Sold at 180KMiles)
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 12:01:00 -0500 (EST)
From: "Satish Tummala, MD" <satish at tummala.net>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID:
<3685.69.241.249.192.1135530060.squirrel at webmail6.pair.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
Congratulations on the new purchase. The last year of the M119 engine
proved its most reliable moment.
You absolutely MUST use the MB-specific transmission fluid. Also, you
will need the service dipstick for fluid level checks as well as the
STAR diagnosis machine to check transmission operating temperature for
adding/topping off fluid.
Definately change your transmission fluid every 30000 miles. All of the
Mercedes 5-speed automatics produced after 1995 are very unreliable
unles frequent fluid changes are performed.
Satish
> Hello listers...
>
> We are new to the world of the 129, recently purchasing a beautiful
> 1998 SL500. It took us a year of searching, be we finally found "the"
> one we had been looking for. It's white with a grey interior.
> Panoramic roof. Heated seats. ASR, but no ESP. On a 1-10 scale,
> easily a 9.5. Came with records, and always dealer serviced. Perfect
> CarFax (assuming it's accurate, which isn't always the case).
> Patience paid off, and we are still grinning about our finding this
> one.
>
> I've been doing my own maintenace to three different 300E's we've
> owned since 1986. Now it's time for me to learn about the SL500.
>
> While the new car has but 51,000 miles, I'm looking and learning about
> it's servicing, in preparation for doing a 60,000 mile fluid and
> filter service. I probably already know the answer to this, but
> thought I'd ask anyways. Is it a must to use the MB specific
> transmission fluid? I'm not opposed to it, or the price, but wanted
> to know if there was an equivalent or better option?
>
> Looking forward to a few years more fun in this great machine.
>
> Regards,
> Howard M. Ginsberg
> 1998 SL500, 51KMiles
> 1993 300E, 110KMiles
> 1988 300E (Sold at 162KMiles)
> 1986 300E (Sold at 180KMiles)
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 15:11:11 -0600
From: "Deneal Schilmeister (iMac)" <deneals at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: SL Mailing List <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <BFD4670F.67AE0%deneals at sbcglobal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
On 12/25/05 10:33 AM, "MBKindOfGuy" <MBKindOfGuy at mindspring.com> wrote:
> Hello listers...
>
> We are new to the world of the 129, recently purchasing a beautiful
> 1998 SL500. It took us a year of searching, be we finally found "the"
> one we had been looking for. It's white with a grey interior.
> Panoramic roof. Heated seats. ASR, but no ESP. On a 1-10 scale,
> easily a 9.5. Came with records, and always dealer serviced. Perfect
> CarFax (assuming it's accurate, which isn't always the case).
> Patience paid off, and we are still grinning about our finding this
> one.
Welcome, Howard. Nice to see you over here!
+++++++++--
Deneal Schilmeister
MBCA Gateway 1991-2005
1997 SL500 (98k)
http://homepage.mac.com/deneals/SL500.htm
http://homepage.mac.com/deneals
+++++++++--
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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 09:42:24 -0500
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: <satish at tummala.net>, "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <003701c60af3$c10615d0$bbdfbf41 at georgew8ajnwdz>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I read your message on transmission oil changes with great interest.
Where
did the information on changing the transmission oil come from?? When I
asked my MB dealer in Greensboro, NC he said that the transmission is
sealed
and the oil never has to be changed. I got the impression that he had
never
changed the oil on a sealed transmission as part of routine maintenance.
I
am driving a 1996 SL500 and I suspect the oil has never been changed in
78,000 miles.
Happy Motoring, George
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:23:46 -0500
From: "MBKindOfGuy" <MBKindOfGuy at mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>, <satish at tummala.net>
Message-ID: <000c01c60af9$87a46430$a601a8c0 at ABCDPORT1>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
Hi George,
That may be the dealers remark about the tranny oil changes, but then
again,
I'm sure they wouldn't mind selling us $5,000+ transmissions instead
<grin>.
I'm a believer in maintenance on my MB's, and believe it has contributed
to
my other MB's not requiring major servicing if I keep up with regular
fluid
and filter changes.
Even with the high price of a liter of the "special" MB tranny fluid,
for me
it's well worth it to change it. Should cost me about $100 in parts
(oil,
filter, pan gasket) and about an hour of time. I'm fanatacal about 30K
mile
services for tranny fluid. It certainly can't hurt to do it.
It is a quandry, though, about the tranny fluid replacement in these
cars...
Regards,
Howard M. Ginsberg
1998 SL500, 51KMiles
1993 300E, 110KMiles
1988 300E (Sold at 162KMiles)
1986 300E (Sold at 180KMiles)
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
To: <satish at tummala.net>; "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
>I read your message on transmission oil changes with great interest.
>Where
>did the information on changing the transmission oil come from?? When
I
>asked my MB dealer in Greensboro, NC he said that the transmission is
>sealed and the oil never has to be changed. I got the impression that
he
>had never changed the oil on a sealed transmission as part of routine
>maintenance. I am driving a 1996 SL500 and I suspect the oil has never
>been changed in 78,000 miles.
>
> Happy Motoring, George
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:28:46 -0500
From: "MBKindOfGuy" <MBKindOfGuy at mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>, <satish at tummala.net>
Message-ID: <002b01c60afa$3adb4c30$a601a8c0 at ABCDPORT1>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
One further comment about this. I sort of have to laugh at the remark
about
these transmissions being "sealed." All the Mercedes I've owned, I
guess,
have all had sealed transmissions. The only think my SL doesn't have is
an
A/T dipstick, which I ordered yesterday. As far as fluid replacement,
there
are drain plugs on the tranny fluid pan and on the torque converter.
There
is an A/T fluid fill tube, and the cap and lock are replacement parts.
So
the "sealed" remark is kind of laughable. These tranmssions are about
as
sealed as their other cars in which they indeed recommend fluid changes
at
regular intervals.
Regards,
Howard M. Ginsberg
1998 SL500, 51KMiles
1993 300E, 110KMiles
1988 300E (Sold at 162KMiles)
1986 300E (Sold at 180KMiles)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
> To: <satish at tummala.net>; "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 9:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
>
>
>>I read your message on transmission oil changes with great interest.
>>Where did the information on changing the transmission oil come from??
>>When I asked my MB dealer in Greensboro, NC he said that the
transmission
>>is sealed and the oil never has to be changed. I got the impression
that
>>he had never changed the oil on a sealed transmission as part of
routine
>>maintenance. I am driving a 1996 SL500 and I suspect the oil has
never
>>been changed in 78,000 miles.
>>
>> Happy Motoring, George
>> The MB Coupes Website!
>> R129 SL Mailing List
>
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 18:29:49 -0500
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <002401c60b3d$6f03abe0$bbdfbf41 at georgew8ajnwdz>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
Thanks for the observations Howard. You are quite right about the
"sealed"
part. But when we have to special order a dipstick for use on a $90+K
automobile tranny my paranoia meter begins to peg. I have always been a
"do
it yourself if you possible can" automobile fanatic and that is why I
asked
that MB dealer about changing the transmission oil and filter in the
first
place. Now I think I will pursue the oil change matter further.
George Jenner, West End, NC
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 10:46:43 -0500
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <000601c60bc5$e7474bb0$bbdfbf41 at georgew8ajnwdz>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
Howard, you mentioned ordering an A/T dipstick for your SL. I called my
MB
dealer today and asked for one. The response was that there is no
dipstick
available. Where did you go for the one you ordered?
Thanks, George
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:20:03 -0500
From: "MBKindOfGuy" <MBKindOfGuy at mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <007d01c60bd2$f08c6bd0$a501a8c0 at ABCDPORT1>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
I think you may need to get a new dealer <grin>. Sounds to me like they
either don't know your car very well, or they really don't care to
service
your parts needs very well. Just my (not so) humble opinion.
As far as I've been able to tell, the dipstick is not a permanent one,
rather it is used for "testing" the level. It's a workshop tool, not a
permanent dipstick. The cap on the filler tube is removable (breaking
off
the red "tab" lock, sometimes called the filler neck cover pin). You
test
and fill through the tube, and when done you replace the cap and put in
a
new red locking tab. This is, of course, assuming your R129 has the
722.6xx
transmission. I am speaking in terms of my 1998 SL500, and am not sure
if
this information applies to others years, models, etc.
The dealer part number are:
- Tranny dipstick: 140-589-15-21-00 (about $40-$45 from on-line OEM
sources)
- Filler neck cover pin (red tap on filler tube cap): 140-991-00-55
(about
65 cents each from on-line OEM sources)
- If you use the MB tranny fluid, p/n 001-989-21-03-10, it costs about
$8.50
per liter from on-line OEM sources (this appears to be the actual MB
fluid
too). My SL takes about 10 liters.
- A couple of other parts to have on hand for this are the tranny
filter,
drain plugs (2) and crush washers (2) for the torque converter and fluid
pan. Also, there should be a magnet in the pan, and if not, here's the
p/n
for that too:
Filter: 140-277-00-95
Drain plugs: 126-997-01-32 or 000000-000648
Crush washers: 140-271-00-60 or 007603-010112
Pan magnet: 220-271-00-98
I encourage you to double check the part numbers for your particular
model
and VIN.
Personallly, I tend to order these parts from on-line OEM parts
suppliers.
However I've recently found this site which appears to sell genuine MB
parts
at reasonable prices, although I've not used them yet:
http://www.mercedesbenzgenuineparts.com/
One note is to make sure the tranny fluid is checked hot, i.e. 80-deg C.
This is from what I've read on some on-line forums. I've recently
ordered
the various service books and maintenance manuals, but I don't yet have
them
in hand. I point this out as I don't know the exact procedure, although
it
should be pretty straight forward. I also don't know what level to fill
to
on the dipstick.
I intend on changing the fluid every 30,000 miles. I just purchased my
SL500 a couple of weeks ago and it has 51,xxx miles on it. So I'm
preparing
now for the 60K service. The maintenance records do not show the tranny
fluid as ever being replaced on mine, so my 60K service will be the
first
tranny fluid replacement.
Here's an interesting forum to read on this topic:
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?t=102541. I
particularly liked the 08-31-2004, 07:42 PM posting by "Gilly" where he
quotes Service Information 27A95105. It looks like MB even says "We
never
specified who's life" in the service info, when referring to the sealed
or
filled-for-life statement.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Howard M. Ginsberg
1998 SL500, 51KMiles
1993 300E, 110KMiles
1988 300E (Sold at 162KMiles)
1986 300E (Sold at 180KMiles)
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
> Howard, you mentioned ordering an A/T dipstick for your SL. I called
my
> MB dealer today and asked for one. The response was that there is no
> dipstick available. Where did you go for the one you ordered?
>
> Thanks, George
> The MB Coupes Website!
> R129 SL Mailing List
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:35:07 -0500
From: "George Jenner" <gjenner at nc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] New to the 129
To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <000701c60c07$56710670$bbdfbf41 at georgew8ajnwdz>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
That helps a lot Howard. Thanks for the part number information I will
be
visiting both places you motioned and thank you again. George
End of R129LIST Digest, Vol 13, Issue 6
***************************************
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 07:18:17 EST
From: Alvamike at aol.com
Subject: [R129 SL] 129 Data Disks
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Message-ID: <211.10404f33.30ea7409 at aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
If you want real info for $14 a year that is legal I have been using
Alldata
diy (do it yourself) for a few years. It works. Hopefully if you have
one
of these cars you have enough money to get a subscription.
Mike
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 12:30:00 +0100
From: "Jan Kuylaars" <jan at rian-bv.nl>
Subject: [R129 SL] carribian salt
To: <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID: <002901c61510$089b18c0$1b01a8c0 at techniek>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Tobago and Trinidad Gas company.
That's what I remember.
Anil
I have seen this weekend a Dutch special about the Islands Tobago and
Trinidad.
So now I know where you live.
I have been in the Caribbean for two years ago. I have been on St Martin
.
But the cars I have seen there were miserable from the salt.
They rust away in three -6 years.
Is it not the same in Trinidad?
Very expensive to loose a 500 SL in 6 years.
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------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 12:50:23 -0000
From: "Roger Kalloo" <Roger.Kalloo at halliburton.com>
Subject: RE: [R129 SL] carribian salt
To: <jan at rian-bv.nl>, "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID:
<03F6CAF1069E744798C759D75752C510028378B6 at abzexch300.corp.kbr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Anil what is your email address ???
Best Regards,
Roger Kalloo.
-----Original Message-----
From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Jan Kuylaars
Sent: 09 January 2006 11:30
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Subject: [R129 SL] carribian salt
Tobago and Trinidad Gas company.
That's what I remember.
Anil
I have seen this weekend a Dutch special about the Islands Tobago and
Trinidad.
So now I know where you live.
I have been in the Caribbean for two years ago. I have been on St Martin
.
But the cars I have seen there were miserable from the salt.
They rust away in three -6 years.
Is it not the same in Trinidad?
Very expensive to loose a 500 SL in 6 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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End of R129LIST Digest, Vol 14, Issue 1
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