The TC will still be driven by the engine, but the fingers (that you can't see w/o disassembly) that go from it into the oil pump could be broken. You cannot visually inspect this fault without an autopsy. You can only surmise this from having no working pressure from the pump.

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Around here, a pick n pull tranny would run between $100-150. Chancey but cheap.

__________________
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

There are a couple diesel Mercs in the Moss Landing Pick&Pull. Might be worth looking at.

i finally was able to do the test that rs899 suggested. i disconnected the cooler line on the drivers side and started the car. it dumped some fluid initially without being in gear. i figure that is just the contents of the cooler coming out. i let it run for a little then put it in gear. NO PUMPING. it just dripped.i reved it up and nothing changed. nothing in reverse either. next step is tranny removal.
john

The "good" news is that if this is the problem (and I think it is) then fixing it isn't too hard. You will need a new torque converter and probably a front pump and stator, but you won't have to dig into the "guts" of the beast. But you probably have lotsa miles on that puppy anyway....

Rick

P.S. I had to do this to my W116 300SD- not that bad...

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

it has about 185k. i'll try to make updates as i go along. thanks for all the help. were you able to by the pump on did you take it from another transmission?
john

I happened to snag a low mileage transmission from a 77 280SE to use to fix my W116 300SD. Those two trannies happen to be very close, and I will be able to use the leftovers from the 280SE tranny someday.

I think you will find that the cost of a TC and front pump will be very high, if you can find the parts...but first you need to find your problem

Rick

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

i've seen rebuilt tc's for around $265.00. the front pump (if needed) who knows. when i saw the price for the tc i figured i would run over to the local pick your part (there is a 50% sale going on 12/31 - 1/3) and see if i can locate a tranny. a little risky i know but for $40 it's worth it. any ideas on what models and years use the 722.1 trans?
john

You really need to check the EPC or other sources to be sure, but just about any diesel from around 1972 to 1983 that is non-turbo (but includes W116 300sd). Also all gassers in the time period with a 4-bolt oil pan, but these will be 3 speed (except the 280SE, which is 4 speed). Any of these SHOULD have the same TC and front pump, but the boxes may be different.

Rick

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

I just went thru the same thing on my 81 300D Took it to a transmission shop and they found the planatary gear stripped. Seems to be a common problem from what I am told. The gear ran me $200 and $600 in labor. Hope this helps.

That's a totally different scenario. The OP has no working pressure....

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

well it's been a while since i was able to work on the 240d. it seems simple enough to take the trans out but i have one question. is there a better way to lock the crank so i can take out the bolts that hold the tc to the flex plate? i am trying to hold onto the rachet i am using to rotate the engine while trying to loosen the flex plate bolts. it doesn't work too well. should i take the starter out and try to lock the flex plate there?
john

I think the last time I did that, I put a breaker bar on the crank bolt and slowly turned it until it hit something solid that kept the crank from turning while I pulled each pair of convertor bolts.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Whatever works. I never had that problem. I suppose you basically need to remove the starter anyway so locking the ring gear with it out should work.

Rick

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

i'm sure the breaker bar idea will work. actually i am a little more concerned with being able to get the bolts tight enough during reassembly than getting them loose. i have a flywheel lock i use on my vw's. i'll see if i can fab something with that for when i take the starter out .
thanks for the input.
john