hello all,

Ihad another thread started on this topic butI decided thatI should start a new one.

I recently got a free 1984 Mercedes 300D non-turbo import,with 176,000 milesin great shape, the only catch is that there is no 3rd gear.

It drives fine in first, second, and reverse, but as soon as it comes time for it to shift into 3rd, there the engine revs up like it was in neutral. It feels like the transmission is actually shifting(its not just slipping in second)

What should be my first course of action here? I've heard that there are several different adjustments tht can be done. Does this sound like a problem that can be fixed with some adjusting, or doI need to do a rebuild on the tranny?

thanx
-justin

 

check your vacuum lines to the tranny first.

 

Check the vaccume line for sure. Sounds like a bad Vacuum modulator.

These are cheap and easy to install. Consult a manual before you do the work, though. These can be tricky to adjust.

Sam

 

don't forget to flush the fluid and change the filter.

 

B2 band and servo need to be checked. Forget about the vacuum that is not the issue. Take it to your friendly Mercedes Benz dealer and they can have you fixed.

 

Same problem here. My wife's '84 300TD now only goes in 1st, 2nd, and reverse. Could it really be something as simple as vacuum? Are trans. bands user serviceable? I am shopping for a used tranny, but an easier fix would be better! The trans. has been leaking. Was just diagnosed with bad seals. The mech. wanted $750 to do that. I found a used trans. for $550, 156K and a 6 month warranty. Not sure which way to go. Any accurate assistance would be much appreciated!

Steve
1984 300TD
1989 300SE (for sale)
1991 300SE (for sale)
2000 e430

 

Fixing one's tranny with new parts is way more costly than a used one, rebuilt or reconditioned. However, purchasing a used one you do not know if it won't result in installing one worse than the one you take out. Just be careful.

Now, if you can trust your mechanic's knowhow and honesty, and he guarantees you that the leaks on your car tranny are solely from the joint seals and everything else seems in good order, you should consider it (think whether it is a tranny which has not given problems before and is working smooth). If you go for this, work a deal for opening the tranny and inspect it for worn or damaged parts, adjusting the bands if needed, replacing ATF and filter, changing the seals, and reinstalling with a warranty arranged with the price. This would insure a more reliable solution than the used tranny.

 

Hi Joe, Thanks for the reply. Are you saying that band adjustment is something that a mechanic can do? I'll ask my guy and see what he thinks. We just had the car into him the day before it gave out, as we had been needing to add trans. fluid recently. He diagnosed that the seals were bad. Maybe he said something about a "pump seal" too(?). He estimated $750 for that, so I'd imagine he wants about the same to swap transmissions, and maybe add new seals, fluid, filter, etc. Does this price sound about right?

I guess I could have him take out the original trans, see if he could fix it, and if not, go with the used one. I had a transmission rebuilt locally for a 300SE (different trans.) a couple of years ago, and that cost around $1800, as I recall. I can't even get that for the whole car now!

What to do, what to do...?

Thanks again,

Steve