91' W124 300D Automatic shifting hard. IP proportioning valve??
 

Hi

My transmission shifts quite hard from 2->3, 3->4. 1->2 is perfect. Downshifting (4->3 etc) is smooth and the shifting points is good. Kickdown also etc works fine. It shifts smoother when accelerating really slow.

I have measured the vacum going to the tranny:
At Idle: 11"Hg to tranny for prop. valve, (20"Hg from vacuum pump to IP prop. valve.)
Full throttle: 0"Hg (as expected)

Is 11"Hg of vacuum enough vacuum on a W124 diesel?
The vacuum pump is new and i found no vacuum leaks. The proportioning valve is adjusted for max vacuum to tranny.

Any toughts?

With low vacuum, mine shifts hard with a slight clunking sound. Each time I've had slammy shifts, it's been low vac, with a leak in a valve or line.

What brand of Vacuum Pump?
 

And how new?

And , I don't think 11 inches is enough...could you be experiencing any leaks?
(Older, cracked from the heat hard plastic lines...same for the rubber connections.)

The pump was installed about a month ago. Don't know the brand yet (don't have the car right here).

Have done a quick check for leaks and didnt find anything. Tried plugging all the other lines and just running one from the pump to the IP valve.. Maby I should do a more thorough test.

Is seems that the vacuum coming from the vacuum pump (20"Hg) is good, but the vacuum from the IP prop. valve to tranny is to low. Is there a chance that the prop. valve is leaking?

may be i should try to tweak the amount of air the prop. valve is leaking into the system by partially blocking the inlet line for the prop. valve??

Does anyone know what the vacuum directly from the vaccum pump is supposed to be?

Just cleaned out the little air filter that sits between the vacuum pump and the ip valve, it was pretty clogged. Shifting got smoother, but not silky smooth. Haven't measured vacuum now.

Have a look at http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/225697-w124-vcv-20inhg-9nihg-out-ok.html#post1890896

Should be 12" at VCV. but 11 is fine.

Adjust the VCV on the side of the IP (pull it forward to make softer shifts). There's 2 bolts - one above and one below, size 10mm.