Hello everyone,
I know when a gearbox oil and filter change is done on the Mercedes 6 speed box in these, that around 5 litres of oil gets replaced. Has anyone a more precise figure please. Many thanks in advance

 

The total capacity is 9.5 litres, including the torque converter. I got nowhere near that when I did mine, I just topped it back up to the dipstick mark.

 

Some early model XJR/XKR W5A580 cars had the torque converter with a drain plug.

You might spin the TC around and look for the drain plug?

 

Maybe I need to explain a bit more. I know from doing a filter and oil change on a previous Mercedes box that about 4 or 5 litres gets changed. I did have one of those curtain wire dipsticks but that has vanished. Anyhow in re commissioning my 1999 I'm having lots of trouble and warning messages from the gearbox. Prior to my ownership it had been parked for 8 years. I've a feeling there's too little oil in the box . Plan is to jack her up level and open the drain plug and see what comes out. That will be my starting point. I'll see the condition but will also be able to measure the quantity. A full filter and oil change is coming but I just want to see what this tells me. It might be over filled or half a litre of gravy might come out. We will see, but this is what I've come up with to make some progress. If only a litre comes out then I know it needs some more and I can take it from there.

 

You can buy the oil level tool many places ONLINE.
They are not pricey.

 

Adverse effects of a little overfill is overstated in my view.
l drove my 2000 XKR for several years with absolutely no transmission issues. I then replaced filter and fluid, simply draining and refilling quantity drained with new.
Several more years driving, no transmission issues until l purchased and used dipstick tool. Turned out l was running with 1 litre overfull, not a problem.

 

On a 4.0 XKR with the Mercedes 4-matic 722.6 transmission (4 + overdrive) you will get about 3 to 3.5 liters from the drain plug in the transmission pan.

as pointed out, you would do well to rotate the torque converter to see if yours has a drain plug. Mine, being a 2002 XKR, does not. A 1999 XKR might have one. I don’t know.

Z

PS: In the first post you reference a Mercedes 6 speed transmission. That does not match your title “1999 XKR gearbox oil” )

As far as I know, no Mercedes 6 speed came in the 4.0 XKR’s. Just the Mercedes 722.6 transmission (W5A-580) .

 

Thanks for your reply. You are correct it is a 5 speed.
Can you turn the torque converter by hand? Never had to do it! I have done some research and will do a filter and oil change but it would be nice to get as much out as possible. Thanks.

 

Since mine is a later 4.0 XKR I know it doesn’t have the T/C drain plug and have never tried to turn it by hand.

But if the knowledgeable folks on the forum say to do that, it must be possible somehow.

Others will have to chime in on the particulars.

Z

 

Via the crank?

 

just ignore the tc plug do a regular drain and fill.

early w5a580s don’t fail because of fluid quality they fail because of fundamental design issues, and at really high miles

 

Might aswell do it while I'm at it though don't you think?

 

You'll need to turn the crankshaft with a spanner whilst you look up into the inspection hatch in the bottom of the bellhousing and watch for the drain plug coming around unless it just happens to be already at the bottom. In theory, I guess that you might be able to use a large screwdriver or similar to lever the TC round through the inspection hatch but you would need to remove the spark plugs first as I doubt whether you will push it over compression.

Richard

 

I agree. I always overfill my gearboxes by few hundred mls by leaning the car slightly over to the left before re-filling.

Richard

 

Dropped the oil earlier and only 1.85 litres came out. Reckon it's dripped away while being stood for the last 8 years. Going to do a filter and oil service and hope for the best!

 

Be advised that the Mercedes 722.6 transmission is more particular with regards to the kind of ATF used that most automatic transmissions.


i tried using the ATF that Mopar dealers use in the same transmission only to find out it didn’t perform as well as the fluids that Mercedes specify.

Changing to the Shell 134 fixed my shifting issues:



What Fluid Can I Use For The 722.6 Transmission?



https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2002-a-238688/




Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134



Fuchs TITAN EG ATF 134




Mobil ATF 134



Shell ATF134

 

+1 here. I went with the MB product.

 

Thanks. Are you still happy with the fuchs titan oil?

 

I used the Fuchs ATF for quite a while, 75,000 miles or more. But am now using the Shell 134 due to pricing and availability. It seems to be working just the same .

Z

 

Hi, I've got the sump off this morning and the filter. I re measured the oil and I've now removed 3.55 litres plus a little bit for the residue and drips. So say 3.6litres. Brownish smelly and horrible. The filter is original mercedes benz and date stamped2/8/99. So it's never been done. Didn't look at the torque converter as a bolt head sheared and I got involved. If I have got a drain plug in the torque converter would you advise draining that or not folks? Many thanks for the assistance so far.