I am looking at purchasing a 1984 190D with a 2.2L diesel and a 5 speed manual trans. The current owner says it runs great but one day without any prior symptoms the transmission stopped working in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. The body and interior are in pretty good shape and I'd like to have it but I am worried about the transmission issue.

I understand that these cars rely a lot upon vacuum and frequently have problems with old vacuum lines.

Do the manual transmissions operate on vacuum at all?
Is this potentially a problem I could correct without pulling the transmission?

Thanks,

 

I've been reading and I was hoping that it was just going to be shifter bushings. Not for 4th gear though?

Is this a Getrag transmission in this car?
In the UK it seems people sell brass selector bushing sets pretty cheap. Can I get them easily in the states?