-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000064463-03-000088.txt : 20031222
<SEC-HEADER>0000064463-03-000088.hdr.sgml : 20031222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031222140719
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000064463-03-000088
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031222
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031222

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROBB WALTER L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001018535

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-06890
		FILM NUMBER:		031067287

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8271 154TH AVENUE NE
		CITY:			REDMOND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98052

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O VANTAGE MANGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		300 TROY SCHENETADY RD
		CITY:			SCHENECTADY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			12309

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000064463
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829]
		IRS NUMBER:				141462255
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		431 NEW KARNER ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING #4
		CITY:			ALBANY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			12205
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5185332200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		431 NEW KARNER ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING #4
		CITY:			ALBANY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			12205
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-22</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000064463</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MKTY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001018535</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROBB WALTER L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VANTAGE MANGEMENT INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>300 TROY SCHENETADY RD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SCHENECTADY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>12309</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Options (Rigths to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.9167</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>21.9167</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-04-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-03-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents options cancelled pursuant to the Company's offer to exchange the then outstanding options.  New options will be granted shortly after June 23, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Cynthia A. Scheuer as Attorney in Fact for Walter L. Robb</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
