Low RPM's
 

No matter how hard I stomp the accelerator, I only get an RPM of about 2800.

Is this an indication of the transmission being stuck in high gear, like 3rd or 4th, or is this normal for 87 300SDL's?

Thank You for all replys! :D :pleased: :wink:

It could be indicitive of a number of things. It could be plugged fuel filters or it could be a malfunctioning throttle linkage. It might also be a plugged air filter.

Change both fuel filters. If you have any emissions control accessories installed, like trap oxidizer or particulate filter, remove them, they might be clogged and they are useless anyway.

Fuel filters were my problems when I had this issue. Although I could get to nearly 4000 rpm's, I am sure if I let it go longer the rpms would have gotten lower and lower.

It definitely isn't normal. You should be able to rev to somewhere around 5k, give or take.

When stomping it I only get about 2800 rpms, unless it slips 1st-2nd it gets about 4500 rpms. On the interstate it does between 2300-4500 rpms. This sound about normal?

So it will come up to speed out of gear, or on the highway?

Do you feel all three shifts?

You really need a FSM and Mitty vac, start going through the engine vacuum system because it sounds like its pretty messed up. Also you probably need a trans rebuild if its slipping like that. I would stay off WOT until you get it rebuilt because your going to burn it up letting it slip like that.

sounds like throttle linkage to me..

Could be, but if he is getting 4,500 on the highway its advancing to WOT. Those don't usualy move unless someone is messing with them.

if he could only go to half throttle it will still reach about 4500 rpm's just do it in a very slow manner lol. I would check that first, because my little "pogo stick" pulled out from the rubber holder and was only allowing half travel.

Could it possibly be the Bowden cable is WAY out of adjustment?