Auto transmission oil filter

[gnj588d]

I have been told there are two types of oil filter in the auto box,a metal one and a paper one,the metal one for early cars and paper one for later cars.Am I right thinking my 65 230 is the metal one    Cheers Mike Rutledge.PS how often should the oil be changed

[TheEngineer]

Be very careful when you change the filter on the automatic transmission. Any dirt or lint will cause problems. Mercedes recommends that you use a chamois to wipe the dipstick for that reason and on later models, there is even a lock on the dipstick to prevent owners to mess things up. For your car Mercedes sells a kit consisting of a oil pan gasket and the filter. Be careful not to twist the fill tube when you remove the pan. You have to unscrew the fill tube from the pan. Use a second wrench to hold the fill tube. It is thin and twists easily. All debris will accumulate in the pan. Work extremely clean. Inspect the oil per the book. Before you install the pan, get the special magnet pad from your dealer and stick it to the inside of the pan. It traps iron particles. Use a torque wrench to tighten the screws. Over-tightening will cause the gasket to leak. Install the gasket dry.

'69 280SL,Signal Red,Automatic,retired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

[mdsalemi]

Please take theengineer's comments to heart: the filler tube does indeed need "double wrenching" to prevent twisting and damage.

Some mechanic (it was not me) failed to do that: he twisted the tube just as noted, and created a hairline crack as well.  It required a replacement tube (USD $50) at the time, and then for show purposes, stripping of the black paint and re-plating in cadmium. ($100)  So, use two wrenches!

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Bob G MN]

Mike,
My Feb65 230SL has the metal filter.
Bob