Hello everyone,
I have some transmission issues and some brake issues.
Transmission:
It flares between some gears expecially when it is cold. Also, a clunking when it downshifts. I have seen a lot of stuff on the board recently (I have read almost all of it) and I am very confused. I think that I need pics to help me out.

Brakes:
I had the rear brake pads done last June. The brakes have no give in them at times. Especially at slow driving. The brake pedal is stiff and the car really doesnt react to the stiffness. But when the car is going about 30 mph, it is fine and the pedal has some "give" to it. Maybe it just needs a brake fluid change?

I would really like to fix these issues. If anyone can help me it would be great. I know that some people are going to get mad when they see another tranny clunk thread but I have not found a thread with pics that I can follow. I think that it has to do with the EGR (what does it stand for?). So, I am a little lost with the issues. Thanks

DK

1983 300sd 5 cylinder

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1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

Exhaust gas recirculation valve

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Dale

Insufficient vacuum generation or a vacuum leak could cause both of these symptoms. I'd hook a gauge to the system with a hose running into the passenger compartment and watch it while starting and driving. If you have a strong correlation between the vacuum generated and the symptoms, you've probably found the cause.

With regard to the flaring, is the EGR still connected?

Have you found any of my posts regarding disconnecting the EGR and all vacuum lines to and from the black box on the valve cover?

This would go a long way to assist in reducing the flare.

I will go get a gauge and check the pressure. Where should I put it in?

Is the EGR the black box on top of the valve cover? If it is I believe that it is all hooked up. What is the reason for it if we just unhook it?

Thanks again, I hope that I just have a vacuum line that is bad.

DK

__________________
1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

Not only check the lines themselves, but also their rubber connectors. After all these years, they get brittle. Give them a little bend, and if they have cracks, replace them - a standard vaccum line from an autoparts store will do fine.

The EGR is not the black box on the valve cover. When looking at the oil fill cap, go to your left about 5 inches.
Good luck!

Attached Thumbnails

 

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

The black box on the valve cover has the valves that control the EGR. Frequently they leak and cause shifting issues that generally result in firm shifts.

If you are disconnecting the EGR, you can cleanup the underhood environment and eliminate any leaks via the valve by removing all the lines to and from the black box.

Search on my name and use EGR as the description for all the info you need.

Is there any brand or any type of vacuum gauge that I should look for? This is the first time and hopefully the last time that I have to deal with the vacuum system.

DK

__________________
1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

Get a miti vac vacuum pump. It creates vacuum, and will also read vacuum.

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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.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

You will be dealing with the Vacum System ALOT.

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190D 1985 254,703 Miles as of 3/25/2007
Bought her on 10/4/2006 with 241,132 miles

please dont go cheap on a vacuum pump. Get a mity vac, spend the extra cash on the metal one.

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Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

I got the mighty vac with the metal. The person at the autoparts store will only stock the metal ones because the plastic used to break too easily.

Another note:
The car is having trouble being shut off. So it must be a vaccum issue. It wont shut off unless I turn the key off and hit the gas a little. The car revs a little and then drops off to shutting off.

DK

__________________
1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

Mine happens in my SD when barely pressing the pedal, like if you want to go slow up a steep driveway. It hums before and then sometimes chrps the pavement or spits gravel and then lurches forward. Its not a big deal but can be annoying.

It seems like a vacume leak but my vacume tested fine. Another symptom is that when she starts I have to run the ingnition a little longer as she builds up oil pressure. But that seems like it may be the pump sticking. I run a veggie blend (10% RUG) in her. Could be the culprit.

I'm gong to try SeaFoam Auto Trans Fluid for my trnny flare and see if that fixes it. What could the flare be?

Sky

Mine also does that, but I am not worried about that little flaw. I am worried about the clunking downshifting and the bad flare when going from about 30 mph to the next gear.

DK

__________________
1983 300sd 253,000 + 13,000 (10,000+ on veggie and biodiesel)= 266,000
1983 300sd 390,000 (Leaky windshield seal) Known to me as the shower car. Parts car now!
1 junk 300sd Watch out for the skunk that lives underneith it!

Mine did it for a while but my cable that senses the transmission throttle possition wasn't on. That's the only cable that hooks to the throttle linkage above the valve cover. Also, make sure it's tight. No slack.

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-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.