Tom Hargrave wrote:
Power steering fluid it transmission fluid that has been packaged in small,
expensive cans.
Not exactly. It's the base stock used in type A ATF (that hasn't been
available in the US in about 20 years).
Here's the definitive post as far as I'm concerned:
Anyhow, walking back to my workplace from the dealer's it struck me
that MB probably don't make their own PS fluid and it is most likely
someone elses in an MB bottle. When I got to work I had a chat with a
colleague who's done a lot of contract research for the automotive oil
industry. He put me in touch with one of the application engineers at
Castrol's RD centre. After talking with the Castrol engineer it turns
out that MB's PS fluid 'Sheet no. 236.3' is actually old-style 'Type A
Suffix A' ATF but minus the red dye. Castrol still supply this fluid as
'Agri-ATF' in 5 litre and 25 litre containers. However, the Castrol
engineer did say that Dexron II/III is a perfectly acceptable
alternative for MB PS applications. The key issue, it seems, is not to
top-up with non-MB fluid during the warranty period. If dealers spot
any red colouration in the PS fluid they will not honour a warranty
claim, on the basis that non-MB fluid has been used in the system.
Type A Suffix A is also the fluid used in the manual gearbox in the
190E, although again without the red dye. The Castrol guy told me that
Dexron *can* be used as an alternative, but because it is a more highly
friction-modified fluid the synchro action will not be exactly as MB
intended when the gearbox was designed. I have therefore drained out
the Dexron III that was in my 'box and replaced it with the Type A
Suffix A fluid and I can attest that the gearchange is slightly
improved, particularly 1-2 and 2-3. BTW it is essential that only ATF
is used in these manual gearboxes - the acidic nature of EP-type gear
oils attacks the relatively soft synchro. rings that MB uses -
shortening the life of the gearbox. ATF is not acidic (I have the
details of the chemistry if anyone wants to know - Castrol were very
helpful and sent me a fax giving further details).
Incidentally, I happen to know that the Type A Suffix A fluid made by
the French oil company ELF is not dyed red - maybe they are the people
supplying MB?
Hope this info. may be of use to someone.
Cheers,
Eric
#
Dr Eric Chowanietz
Principal Lecturer
Department of Electronic Electrical Engineering
De Montfort University
Tel +44 (0)116 257 7095 Fax +44 (0)116 257 7692
#
I use Mobil 1 ATF as it behaves much better in cold weather.
Conventional DexronIII/Mercon is a bit too viscous in cold weather.
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth Ph.D.
Ass't Prof. (ret.)
Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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