84 300SD

I went on about a 100 mile trip today. I noticed for the 1st time my transmission was flaring. First most noticable was on a steep hill. It was flaring up much higher than it should and shifting hard. On flat roads it was fine. Most of the driving was in 4th gear since it was mostly a highway trip. I then noticed it flaring in 2nd and 3rd on another hill from a dead stop. It was still fine on the flat road.

Then when I was about 5-7 miles away from where I'm staying for the week (I'm about 3 hours away from my home in the middle of nowhere in Northern MN) it slipped out of 4th and would not go back into 4th. I finally got it parked and saw the my fluid was extremely low.

It appears my pan bolt loosened and let some atf out. I am going to tighten the pan bolt and retorque it. Then fill with fluid.

Is there any chance I might come out of this okay with just a proper fill of fluid? Or did I ruin my transmission?

Thanks-
-Ryan

Sacrifice a transexual sheep to the MB gods and there's a chance you'll come out ok.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You may very well not have done any permanent damage. The trans is quite tough. I have run mine two or three times like you did (leaky seal which is now fixed) and all I had to do was add fluid and it still works fine.

I'm doing my dance right now...

I thought I remembered hearing of people in situations like this, but I just wanted to check and see what everyone thought.

Thanks for the input.

I have some connections with the Mercedes Transmission God and I've put in a good word for you..........hopefully, he'll look down upon you with kindness..........

If the transmission works after you refill it............remember..........you owe me.

I hope it works out for you, mine was doing the same thing on my 500SEC... just before it stopped shifting out of 2nd gear. little springs were everywhere inside

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

The tranny sheep were for the Renault gods - or was that some foot smelling cheese?

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

If it works out...I promise no more wind chill tirades.

this time of year, it's heat index anyway...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

He? And all this time I thought the Transmission God was a SHE. Maybe that just goes to show us that kerry may be on target with the transexual sheep sacrifice.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

I ended up adding about a quart and a half. It is so hard to read that thing since the atf drips down the tube.

I drove it about 6 miles through all gears multiple times and noticed absolutely no problems. In fact it seemed to shift better than it ever has.

I did notice a distinct burnt smell when I took out the dipstick. I don't know if that means that I did permanent damage.

I did have some small hills taking them at low gears and did not notice anything wrong with the transmission.

I am going to leave it parked until Friday, checking the atf level everyday, then drive it over 200 miles to home.

I think Brian did actually talk to them. I know who has the direct link now...

If you don't here from me again, assume all is well. Thanks.

I think the transmission god finally came through for me today too. A new gasket and a little RTV sealant later and my tail housing no longer leaks

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

MY 380SE flared one day on the way to the MB dealer. The car was new to me and I was 25 miles from home. All I could think was that the tranny was gone for sure. I did manage to limp into the MB dealer and bought some small parts. The car had sat for about 45 minutes. I got back in and it shifted OK(did from the site of the last flare too) and it got me all the way home. I jumped out and checked the tranny fluid and to my dismay(or relief) there was none on the stick. I filled it to proper level and never had a problem with the tranny after that. I had not checked the Tranny like I ALWAYS do. I did slap my hand for being bad.
It could have bit me bad, but I lucked out.
I told the PO about that and he said "Oh Yeah it did that to me the last time I drove it." DUH! Wish he'd have told me that before.

I hope you are as lucky as I was.

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1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

The burnt smell would have me worried about making a 200 mile trip. I don't think the gods like burnt stuff. It may be advisable to have the fluid and filter changed somewhere...
I just had a similar experience with mine. Didn't notice I was losing fluid, but I would lose pressure sometimes on hills or around corners. It was 2 qts low. No burnt smell tho, and it seems to be doing fine with my 100 mile round trip daily commute.

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'83 300D Turrrbo 295K miles

Yeah with a burned fluid smell I'd be changing that fluid and filter out ASAP. In fact, I am changing my oil AND trans fluid/filter tomorrow..... (they are both about 70 miles overdue)

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)