725.xxx 9 speed transmission service

[engatwork]

Dealer parts guy is telling me his techs are telling him that you have to have some kind of $2500 ultrasonic tool to set level on the 715 tranny. Has anyone done a transmission service on one of these. Is there a way to get to the correct level without having the ultrasonic tool?

tia

[DrLou]

not precisely on point for your trans, but I've done work (full fluid flush, filter, mechatronic seals) on my BMW ZF unit... and will do the similar job on my E320 in a month or so.

Similarly, there are tech documents for this (ZF) job indicating a 'need' for (I assume you mean?) an infrared temp sensor to test temp of the transmission. Correct fill level is specified for a correct 'operating temperature' of the trans. Seemed like overkill to me. So, warmed mine up nicely, likely shifted through gears to distribute fluid, then filled to just about leaking out - the recommended level.

...and have never looked back.

Fluid flush and change seems like a very, very good idea for simple preventive maintenance on these units.

[engatwork]

After much research - thanks Google, what I found out is that the UT device allows you to measure the level over about a 20dC temperature range. You can do the job without the UT device but you have to be at a specific temp when you set it (no +/- degrees) and it can still be a little subjective regarding the flow out the drain (full nozzle versus trickle).

[paul roberts]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Dealer parts guy is telling me his techs are telling him that you have to have some kind of $2500 ultrasonic tool to set level on the 715 tranny. Has anyone done a transmission service on one of these. Is there a way to get to the correct level without having the ultrasonic tool?

tia

We probably do a couple of these a day. It certainly isn't rocket science, but you'll need the pump to fill from the bottom and the one time use pan bolts. We use our xentrys to pull up the trans oil temp and drain it at 35 to 40 degrees C. until the flow just starts to cavitate. I've even gotten lazy a few times and just used an infrared thermometer gun on the pan, but only after knowing what the temp is on the pan in relationship to what the actual oil temp value is.

[paul roberts]

Originally Posted by paul roberts

We probably do a couple of these a day. It certainly isn't rocket science, but you'll need the pump to fill from the bottom and the one time use pan bolts. We use our xentrys to pull up the trans oil temp and drain it at 35 to 40 degrees C. until the flow just starts to cavitate. I've even gotten lazy a few times and just used an infrared thermometer gun on the pan, but only after knowing what the temp is on the pan in relationship to what the actual oil temp value is.

OOPs. I misread that and thought that you were referring to the 722.9 7 speed.
We probably do 1 or two of the the 9 speeds a week. On this one you'll want the tool to set the tube to drain, fill and level check. You can't do it without it. We use our Xentrys to access the level check process after the fill procedure. For the level check, the Xentry will take over the step by step process of changing the idle and bleeding the clutches and finally when to drain for the level check.

[engatwork]

On this one you'll want the tool to set the tube to drain, fill and level check.

Thanks Paul.

Are you talking about the UT device? I've got the special "tool" kit for dealing with the plug and all and I'm using an Autel system that reads the temp. I'd be surprised if the Autel is set up to use with the UT tool. I don't know if it the Autel will actuate the solenoids or not. If you read google there are folks out there that don't have the UT tool and when it gets to x temp they put into position 3 and once it becomes a trickle button everything up.

I'm on the fence post whether I want to mess with this one or not. I don't have the UT tool and can't really justify purchasing one.

[paul roberts]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Thanks Paul.

Are you talking about the UT device? I've got the special "tool" kit for dealing with the plug and all and I'm using an Autel system that reads the temp. I'd be surprised if the Autel is set up to use with the UT tool. I don't know if it the Autel will actuate the solenoids or not. If you read google there are folks out there that don't have the UT tool and when it gets to x temp they put into position 3 and once it becomes a trickle button everything up.

I'm on the fence post whether I want to mess with this one or not. I don't have the UT tool and can't really justify purchasing one.

I don't know anyone that uses the ultrasonic tool. That includes my buddies that work at the dealer. The Xentry scanner lets you access the oil level check process through the actuation window. I suppose you could just get the temp through the actual values in the TCM and just set the level, but for the customer and to make sure that the car doesn't come back, I like to go through the whole bleeding process. I'm not familiar with the Autel. You may want to go to actuations in the TCM and see if there's an oil level check option. If you only work on MBZ, you might want to think about investing in a Xentry. They do almost everything.

[engatwork]

I've seen two different temps listed for setting the fluid level using the pos 3 drain, 39 and 50 dC (setting at a fixed temp). I'm thinking the procedure for checking/setting the level would be adequate for confirming proper level.

[Zulfiqar]

The 9 spd check is pretty much the same as the 7 spd but the “check” calibration takes over the shift to different gears and consequently raise idle rpm.

The same stuff that was done manually on the 7s

I made a thermistor tool years ago to check transmission level (actually copied a mazda tool) which then connects to my DMM to show me actual fluid temperature, this way I can also check if the fluid temp sensor isnt duff (had that on a 7 spd once, it was off by 14c)