Ok second question from being a lurker for months to posting. There is a 300 sd for sale for way cheap. The thing is, the car does not shift. It will go in reverse, but has problems going into first. The guy selling me said its a vacuum line issue. Is he correct? Is there an easy fix for this? Im still learning about the 78-85 diesel mercedes and am confused as to why vacuum would cause transmission problems. Thanks!

That's not a vacuum issue. A lack of vacuum will cause hard shifts but it won't prevent it from shifting. Too much vacuum may cause flaring, but again, it will still shift or will at the very least try.

I wouldn't buy this car unless you plan on doing a lot of backwards driving!

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

Could be a b-# ppiston problem, which is something you could probably do yourself if you are a DIYer. If the car is rediculous cheap, that may be an out.

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1989 300E 144K

Ok I went and looked at it in the light, and it does auctually shift. However it revvs up to about 35 mph before it does shift into second. Does this seem to be a major issue? Thanks again!

How does it shift when it finally makes it? Could be a vacuum, or lack thereof, issue after all.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

It shifts hard. A couple of times when driving I had to let off the gas a little and then floor it to get it to kick into second.