Transmission oil check

[Greg]

This might be a silly question! but in my early 230sl engine I do not have any dipstick placed next to the firewall to check oil level for the transmission like other engines do. Is there another way to check the oil level or its just to fill it up from under the car until oil drips out?
Since I am here, what oil type do you use?

Thanks
Greg

[ctaylor738]

Is your transmission manual or automatic ?

[ja17]

Hello Greg,
Sounds like yours is a standard transmission if it does not have a dip stick?  On the standard transmission remove the bottom plug to drain it. Re-install the lower plug and remove the side plug.  Fill from the side plug until fluid begins to over flow.  Automatic transmission fluid is correct for the standard and automatic transmissions (Dextron or its  replacement).  

[Greg]

I do have a manual 4-speed transmission, and as you are saying, I guess its from the plug until fluid over flows.

[Benz Dr.]

Hello Greg,
Sounds like yours is a standard transmission if it does not have a dip stick?  On the standard transmission remove the bottom plug to drain it. Re-install the lower plug and remove the side plug.  Fill from the side plug until fluid begins to over flow.  Automatic transmission fluid is correct for the standard and automatic transmissions (Dextron or its  replacement).  

Joe? This is silly advice......... what if the fill plug is chewed up or won't come out? I always remove the fill plug first because if it doesn't come out, you're screwed with no oil in the gear box once you drain it.

I'm sure you know this, of course.

[ja17]

Dan,
I always get my plug. But Dan's advice may be useful to the less resourceful.  

[ctaylor738]

Also (following the Dr's advice),

Be sure to remove the oil filler cap before you drain the oil, and if you have an automatic transmission, remove the dip stick beforer draining the fluid.

[Greg]

Ok thanks, so its a MUST to start by removing the filler plug first place.
Or otherwise you might have to turn car upside down to be able to fill oil from drain plug.

Good advice!

[DaveB]

I can see some logistic problems with that method but it's undeniably resourceful!
Another tip, from bitter experience: reinstall the drain plug before filling!

[ja17]

Rule of thumb on drain plugs........................Install them tight first time or leave them out all together until you are ready to install them.  Screwing them in loose temporarily, with the intention of coming back later to tighten them,  can be a disaster!  If you leave the plug out, you just loose the fluid, if you leave it loose you could loose the transmission or engine, as it will fall out driving down the road!

[Benz Dr.]

I bet my missing oil filter and canister ( once, a long time ago ) beats your missing drain plug any day.

[stickandrudderman]

I had a customer whose other car was a brand new Aston Martin. His wife collected it from the Aston dealer after service and drove it 200 miles to their holiday home. Whne she got there she noticed that the engine was sounding very noisy...............