Maybe your transmission had the rear pump removed at one time?

My manual says to drive at 32MPH for a few minutes to get the fluid circulating and fill the torque converter or something like that. I tried it on a hill and no dice, got dad to tow me around for a couple minutes and it worked first try. I guess this only applies to a cold transmission, but that's my 2 cents.

Slower and use the lowest gear.

I did it many times in my '82 SD when my starter quit. I live on a short hill, only the length of three houses. After parking at the top of the hill, I had it running and powering the brakes by the time I got to the stop sign at the bottom. Worked like a charm! I actually put off fixing it for a couple weeks!

I just wish my '95 could do that, it's nice to have that kind of backup in case your starter fails far from home.

I roll started my 76 300D with out glowplugs but on a warm engine and it required a very steep hill up to about 40mph and then a drop into L and it started up....although not very well.

tried that. negative, ghost rider. doubt anyones messed with trans, maybe a little low on fluid or something, or you just have to roll an OM603 for a mile...either way, that sucks.

ive actually started my car a bunch of times by rolling it down a hill its kinda tricky and its very easy if the car has already been running otherwise its hard but you gotta know when the right time is to slam it into L ive had to put it in N and then into L and back in forth because it will slow you down to much to the point you are going to slow to start you just want to basicly bump it good once at maximum speed.

I have needed to pull start both my 85 300D & 87 300SDL due to no start in the winter..it works.:eek:

Both times I tried to push start an auto Benz the rear pump cylinder-it's a piston pump-sheared the locating pin and was a no start. Replacing the pin wasn't a big deal, but more work than making the normal starting stuff work.