Greetings to all --- First Post Here..........

We are the proud new owners, or should I say 2nd owners, of a 1987 300SDL. Brief background - Summers only, 10k per year, garaged in the winters, original owner is 70.

I've been working through some minor issues with quite a bit of success.

Here's the tough one......

The tranny shifts hard during the first 5 to 10 miles, or so, of the day. After that things seem to smooth right out. I have had the transmission fluid and filter replaced - no difference. I have purposefully not gone after the actuator because of how it shifts when warm.

I look forward to your additional questions and advice.

Thank You

Stephen

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98 K2500 Suburban 6.5 Luxo Barge

"We cannot change the wind - But we can adjust our sails"

Welcome Stephen!

I feel your pain. As you probably know there is 3 days worth of reading in the search feature using "shifting" or "transmission". Just a couple of the ground questions. Have you checked for vacum leaks? Do you have a Miti-Vac or similar tool?

Oh Your are going to love this car

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Probably a vac leak, isolate all the internals by removing the feed line going to the dash and plugging it at the vac side. Test drive the car and see if it shifts the same. If that fixes it then you have some work to do under the dash.

Old vacuum pods (piston actuators) used to switch air flow flaps tend to leak when the rubber diaphragms crack.
Also, you should verify or have someone experienced with this engine verify that you have the upgraded vacuum pump, that is an invitation for a disaster if it fails.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!


Mighty-Vac is on the list for sure.



Thanks for the idea of seperating the dash on the Vacuum system.


Stephen

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98 K2500 Suburban 6.5 Luxo Barge

"We cannot change the wind - But we can adjust our sails"

What's the issue with the vacuum pump? I have an '87 300SDL that shifts fine. The mileage is only about 76000. Should I be changing the vac. pump on the front of the engine for some reason?

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

76,000, you shouldn't have to worry yet, I should, however. Dave told me that the difference between the vacuum pumps is that the new one has 4 screws on the front and the old one doesn't. At 180,775 miles, i'm still on the original pump and considering a replacement before trouble strikes.

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)