Just bought a mint condition 86' 300E today, drove it home and found out it doesnt have 4th gear and while driving it I lost 3rd gear as well... I let it idle for 15mins and It actually started shifting back in 3rd gear and also shifted smoother as it actually was banging gears when I first drove it... So My question is, does it need a fluid filter change possibly to correct it or some sort of adjustment or is the tranny gone? Fluid doesnt look that bad... It has 127K on the OD never driven in winter and babied as far as I was told... Any help would be great, I know my way around cars very well, So if I can save $$ and fix this myself I would love too.. Thanks everyone in advance!

 

updates..... I topped off the fluid today and drive it around my neighborhood... So if what I read is correct, the car starts out in second gear automatically... if that is the case, then I have 2,3 and 4th... But the issue is, once it warms up and I go past 50MPH or get on it a little but It will rev up in gear not slipping wise, but then once I stop or slow down it kicks down to 2nd and that is it no more gears until the car cools off again... then the gears return.. Any thoughts?

 

Do a complete filter and fluid change, then come back in here if you have more symptoms. And if it is a bad tranny, don't think for a second that the seller didn't know something was wrong (unless they're totally clueless). It's usually a fairly complicated and/or expensive mechanical reason that people sell "babied" autos.;-)

Kevin

 

Ok I just finished the Fluid and Filter change... Didnt look bad at all, not alot of metal deposits... Seems to shift a little smoother but still same results.. I am leaning towards a Sticking valve body...? Any Thoughts? I have rebuilt these things before so I am not afraid to tear into it.

 

Took it to the shop today, they said it's probably a blown Modulator seeing as it shifts when its cold but not when it's warmed up... Couple hundred dollar fix hopefully not a big deal...

 

Just so that those of us who follow older MB's and their ills, let us know the outcome, how much the modulator was, location etc.

Kevin

 

Well the shop I took it too, decied they didnt want go get involved with the tranny after simple Diagnosis... So I ended up picking up a used tranny from an 88' to install.. I was told it was a rebuilt. Cost $500... The fluid looked horrible, not red but brown, So I am thinking I got a line of crap from the scrap yard.. It has a 30 day warranty on it so, we will have to see if and how it works after a flush and fill. I do get the old one back so I will be taking it appart to figure out what happened to it... Lets keep our fingers crossed cause after install and the used tranny I am up to 1200 bucks... So needless to say not a happy camper...

 

sounds to me like $1200 is cheap..good luck..by the way..what kind of tranny is that? Is the transmission leaking externally by the way? cliff

 

It's the 722.3xx transmssion... Interchange is from 86-89 I believe.. It does leak at the pan and at the kick down cable seal, But that all being freshened up before installation... I will know soon if I wasted money or not..

 

I could never do the scrap yard thing given their track record of junk and poor warranties. Given the time you'll have tied up in testing the junk yard tranny...I just couldn't go that direction for critical items. Not be argumentative or snobby, I've just always been a pragmatist about these things. And the worst of it is that after you get the junk yard tranny working, it could go out in a yr and you're right back where you started.

I wish ya the best dude, I really do.[sm=signs003.gif]

Kevin